Rewind: Dimon Talks Texas Interest
Advertisement
It seems that Sooners recruiting efforts have been a case of two steps forward, two steps back over the past few months. As they gained a commitment from Ogbonnia Okoronkwo on Dec. 12 they lost the commitment of Dalton Rodriguez the very next day.
So when the Sooners picked up three commitments last Wednesday there was a certain segment of Oklahoma fans that immediately began to wonder when the other shoe might drop.
And on Sunday word began to surface that the other shoe could be embodied by long-time Oklahoma commitment Matt Dimon. The three-star Katy, Texas defensive end, who was named the 5A division two state championship game's defensive MVP on Saturday, became the center of speculation as Orangebloods.com received information that Texas had decided to take a long look at Dimon.
The Longhorns were recently by Katy to have a look at several Tigers stars including Dimon though when SoonerScoop.com talked to him on Sunday he was very quick to clarify his situation.
"I've talked with reporters, not coaches, not too much to worry about," Dimon said.
Obviously anything that would could be construed as less than definitive about his future is going to worry a certain element, but he went one step further.
"I don't want (anyone) to think I'm not 100-percent Oklahoma because I am," he continued.
Prior to his commitment to Oklahoma Dimon had admitted his family took some time to adjust to the idea of him going to Norman, Okla. to play football but it was something they eventually came around to. However, in the time since his commitment both Dimon himself and his parents have seen the Sooners several times and have warmed to Norman, comparing it on multiple occasions to Katy itself.
Of course all the chaos of the rumors might have taken away from Dimon's moment in the sun but while he enjoyed his team's big win he also graciously credited his teammates rather than heaping praise upon himself for his big effort in the Tigers 35-24 win over Cedar Hill.
"I'm not ready to leave high school football but I'm proud we made our city proud. Because, as you know, around here anything less than state (championships) is a failure," Dimon admitted.
"I'm just happy for my team, I don't think I deserved MVP for defense but it's whatever. They doubled me and took me out of the game nicely I thought."
Of course this story isn't quite done but Dimon certainly won't be an easy one to turn as he has developed and built relationship with many of his current classmates. Either way, we'll stay on this story going forward.
McGee Staying Close to Home
A few weeks ago the SoonerScoop.com staff began to get word that 2012 Rivals250 Oklahoma signee John Michael McGee was trying to reopen communication with the Sooner coaching staff - notably offensive line coach James Patton. McGee committed to Oklahoma on June 22 of last year and remained a firm commitment throughout his recruitment.
The Army All-American arrived to Norman on time and throughout the summer there seemed to be no issue. However, within hours of the start of summer practices word began circulating that McGee was contemplating leaving and almost as quickly he tweeted that he had returned to his Texarkana, Texas home.
Many months later McGee, again via Twitter, made mention of the desire to reach out to Patton and the Sooners as he began to think about getting back on the football field after a year long hiatus.
Patton and McGee have talked several times over the past few weeks but it sounds as though McGee will stay closer to home.
"I'm leaving in three weeks to play at Henderson (State)," McGee said of the division two program in Arkadelphia, Ark.
"Coach (Patton) had other schools calling so I just assumed it wasn't going to happen."
NOTES:
*Another possible addition to the lineup that had many Sooner fans excited was the talk from Tee Shepard about his plans to join good friend Hatari Byrd in Norman after the Christmas break. However that doesn't currently seem set to happen after there were some snags with his academic situation at Notre Dame following his January 2012 enrollment and early departure from campus later in the spring. Shepard still would like to end up at Oklahoma but may have to spend a year at a prep school or junior college before he can enroll at Oklahoma or any other FBS program. The relationship between Shepard and Oklahoma may not be over but it does seem to, at least, have hit a real hiccup.
*And on Christmas Eve we've received word that the Sooners have set their earliest every junior day event, for Jan. 12. We've already begun compiling a list of visitors, including, among many others, four-star juniors Justice Hansen and KD Cannon. To add to that some big-time names are either definitely coming or strongly considering it. The interesting aspect is that Oklahoma will also be hosting numerous 2013 recruits on the same weekend. Expect much more on this event in the weeks to come.