In search of the next Sooner QB
OU is going to need one, and a Kansas City high school standout is high on the list
In search of the next Sooner QB

By Jake Trotter

Published: July 7, 2008

Even with standout sophomore Sam Bradford and promising freshman Landry Jones on campus, Oklahoma is looking to land at least one quarterback in this recruiting class.

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That's because senior Joey Halzle will be gone after this year and Keith Nichol transferred to Michigan State during the off-season, potentially leaving the Sooners with just two quarterbacks heading into next spring.

That's why snagging at least one quarterback from this class will be imperative.

But who will that be?

All signs point to four-star prospect Nathan Scheelhaase as being OU's current top choice.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound dual-threat quarterback from Kansas City's Rockhurst High School holds offers from a dozen schools, including OU, Colorado, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and South Florida, and has said he expects to make a commitment later this month.

Scheelhaase, who was Missouri's Gatorade Player of the Year, made a lot of plays last season getting outside the pocket and throwing the ball downfield on the run.

He threw for 20 touchdowns and ran for another 14.

Scheelhaase could end up settling on the Sooners, in part because of a bond he has developed with the coaches.

If Scheelhaase decides to go elsewhere, however, it's unclear who OU could turn to next.

The Sooners' other two offers went to Jacob Karam (Friendswood, Texas) and Josh Nunes (Upland, Calif.).

But Nunes recently committed to Tennessee and Karam appears firm in his pledge to Texas Tech, despite a recent push from the Sooners.

One prospect OU could try and circle back to is Centennial (Texas) Frisco's Ryan Mossakowski, who remains the only top-10, pro-style quarterback uncommitted.

Last season, the 6-4, 220-pound Mossakowski threw for almost 3,000 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel has been down to Frisco to watch Mossakowski work out, and Mossakowski was spotted in Norman during one of OU's spring scrimmages.

But the Sooners have cooled off on Mossakowski, contacting him for the first time since the spring only recently.

"We hadn't heard back from OU in some time,” said Centennial coach Mark Howard.

In the meantime, Mossakowski has received offers from a host of schools, including Alabama, Auburn, Louisville, Nebraska, Oregon and Texas A&M, despite concerns that he might be taken high in next year's major league baseball draft.

For that reason, to reel in Mossakowski the Sooners could be facing an uphill climb, according to Howard.

"Ryan's in no hurry, he wants to make sure he ends up where he wants to be,” Howard said. "But I think he's going to be more inclined to go with someone who's shown interest in him from the beginning.”

OU could also look at the option of bringing in a junior-college quarterback this year, then perhaps focus on Connor Wood of Houston Second Baptist High School. Wood, who attended OU's summer camp in June, could end up being the top Texas quarterback prospect from the Class of 2010.

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