Powers Couldnt Fight the Feeling Anymore

Generally when players enjoy a visit to a campus, when they take another trip the possibility exists that their interest in the original program could wane. But then again sometimes the second trip is simply an affirmation of the first, which is exactly what happened for Oklahoma's latest commitment Ben Powers of El Dorado (Kan.) Butler C.C.

The three-star guard raved about his trip to Norman last weekend but wanted to take his TCU trip, to watch the Horned Frogs overtime win against Baylor, perhaps for the sake of comparison. But while on his trip he had to do his best to feign a lack of interest in the Sooners work in Stillwater, Okla.

"After my TCU visit I just knew that Oklahoma was the place for me, and I wanted to lock up my spot to me," Powers said. "I got to see some of the game, they try not to show it but they had it on one television.

"Oh yeah, I had to hide my interest.

"Within two hours of me being on the visit, I'll know. I just have this feeling in my guy whether this is or isn't the right place for me and with OU I had that feeling, and with TCU I did not."

Though Powers says he wanted to lock up his spot he said it was more about his understanding of the recruiting process than any hard sell from Bill Bedenbaugh.

"They didn't say anything about that, I just know how recruiting works - so I wanted to go ahead and get my spot," he explained.

And the Sooners could have had the chance to apply some pressure when Bedenbaugh and Bob Stoops made their way to see Powers on Monday.

"Actually they came to my house today, that's when I committed," he said. "I think I caught them by surprise.

"Well before [they got here] my dad told me, we need to make them work for it. They came down and talked with us and about 20 minutes in I went ahead and told them 'I've done a lot of thinking and I'd love to be a part of your team and I'd like to commit'.

"Bob Stoops did a double fist-pump (laughing)."

Since his trip to Norman Powers picked up an Illinois offer but says that he is convinced he is settled into his decision and was aided by the presence of his father, step mother, mother and step father, along with his uncle.

"My mom loved the coaches, she already knew in that 40 minutes of them being there that they were genuine guys, they weren't just putting on a show they were genuinely nice people," he said.

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Powers says that he'll be watching with the rest of the Oklahoma football world to Tuesday night's College Football Playoff announcement. And though he'll be arriving in Norman next month he is still in a bit of shock with how quickly things came together.

He's also well aware of the battle he now has on his hands.

"It has all happened so quick but I'm happy with where I've ended up.," he said. "There is no guarantee for me for playing time, it's going to be an open spot available for everyone. It's not just for me but did mention that he likes how we'd have three or four offensive lineman who would have eligibility to play together for the next three years.

"[During bowl prep] I'll probably get down there, I don't exactly know what I'm allowed to do. I'll have to see what I can do [within NCAA rules] and then go from there."

Powers was ranked yesterday as 5.7 three-star prospect.