On Sunday, Oklahoman staff writer Blake Jackson learned Cooke called Lubbock to give Tech coach Mike Leach the news.
He was changing his commitment to Oklahoma.
“I came to the decision last night,” said Cooke, who originally committed to Texas Tech in June. “I visited with coach Stoops last night before the game. It was a casual conversation. Then he asked if I had any questions.
“After all my questions were answered, I made the decision. I’ve grown up watching OU my whole life. I want to be a Sooner and that’s all I want to be.”
Cooke said Oklahoma contacted him frequently, even after he committed to Tech. But he didn’t decide to visit Norman until last week, when he called the Sooners to ask if he could attend the UAB game.
Oklahoma offered Cooke full scholarship. He became the eighth recruit to commit to OU, the second from Enid. Teammate Austin Box committed to the Sooners in March. Box was also at the game Saturday night.
“The whole time, (Box) could have been like, ‘You need to come to Oklahoma,’” Cooke said. “But he said, ‘Make the decision that’s best for you.’ He knows how it is."
Cooke said the toughest part of the decision was working up the nerve to call Texas Tech with the news. Now, with the monkey off his back, Cooke can concentrate on winning a Class 6A championship with Enid.
“It is a great feeling,” Cooke said. “It’s been lingering for a while. I’m just glad to get it out of the way so I can worry about this season and winning a championship.”
