OU nabs pair of commits

By Blake Jackson

Staff Writer

NORMAN — Justin Chaisson phoned Bob Stoops on Monday to inform the Sooner coach of his commitment to attend the University of Oklahoma.

Then, Chaisson made a bold decision.

"I was going to wait and keep it low-key," said the four-star defensive end from Las Vegas, Nev. "I wanted to announce it at the U.S. Army All-American Game."

Next January.

Well, Chaisson barely made it 24 hours. His announcement Tuesday afternoon was so abrupt, his mother didn't even know he'd committed until a certain sports writer called her home to confirm an online report.

"I talked it over with my dad and I decided to go ahead and put it out there," Chaisson said. "I didn't want to lead on the other schools recruiting me."

Chaisson — the nation's No. 27 player overall according to Rivals.com — also held offers from California, LSU, Florida and UCLA, among others.

He visited Oklahoma last weekend for the Sooners' second open scrimmage.

"It was just my second time on campus but I could tell OU was a great fit for me," said 6-foot-5, 250-pounder. "I got to see how the coaches worked. I was hanging out with (defensive end) Auston English, (linebacker) Ryan Reynolds and (tight end) Brody Eldridge. It was good."

Chaisson's verbal gives the Sooners their third commitment in four years from Las Vegas' Bishop Gorman High School. Reynolds came to OU as part of the Class of 2005. Tailback DeMarco Murray followed in 2006.

The connections didn't influence