So, consider it a dream come true.
Aladenoye, the No. 34-ranked offensive tackle by rivals.com, committed to Oklahoma Wednesday.
A senior from Mesquite, Texas, Aladenoye is the biggest kid in his school, topping off at 6-foot-5, 347 pounds.
"Coach (Bob) Stoops told me they were in need of offensive lineman because they were going to lose five of them,” Aladenoye said. "He offered me the scholarship, and I told him I was ready.”
Aladenoye attracted attention from many Division I programs, including national champion LSU, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech.
Mike Robinson, his high school coach, said it is a combination of size and athleticism that makes Aladenoye dominant.
"When you first eyeball the guy, you probably wouldn't guess that he can move like he can,” Robinson said. "He's just so big that you don't expect his feet move that fast. We had 60-75 schools in here over the last year, and they all commented on how athletic he is.”
Aladenoye attended OU's three-day camp for high school players over the weekend and said Stoops and other coaches were impressed with what they saw him do in drills.
Jeremy Crabtree of rivals.com said Aladenoye is a worthy addition to the Sooners' already impressive 2009 recruiting class.
"He's got lots of raw potential,” Crabtree said. "He's going to need to get into better shape, but that will come when he gets with OU's trainers. But he's got the ability to take a game over when he wants to.”
Crabtree said he was impressed with Aladenoye when he noticed him at April's Nike training camp in Fort Worth, Texas, where Aladenoye took home the offensive lineman MVP award.
Aladenoye said he chose OU based on tradition and the opportunity to win a championship.
"More than football, it's an opportunity to get an education from a great school like OU,” Aladenoye said. "That's important to me. Academics come first. But I'm going to work hard on the field too. My goal is to come in and compete for a spot right away.”
Robinson said OU was one of the first schools to send the offensive lineman a letter during his sophomore year, and ever since, Aladenoye has had his sights set on Oklahoma.
"He's the biggest kid in school,” Robinson said. "But he's also very humble. And he's got the ability to turn the switches. He's a guy you'd like your daughter to date, but he is not a nice young man when he gets on that football field. He's like two different kids in that sense, and that's what you need to be a great player.”
Aladenoye is Oklahoma's 14th commitment for the 2009 season, and the second offensive lineman after guard Tyler Evans committed Tuesday.
"Offensive lineman aren't going to make or break a recruiting class,” Crabtree said. "But they are going to help it a lot. What really helps are those linebackers. That was a position they really needed to fill. Gus Jones was a great pickup.
"Running back was another position they needed and they got Jonathan Miller. So, I think the class is shaping up to be a pretty good one. It will be interesting to see what happens with these guys.”
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Bryan - I'm not getting on your case - just a different view point on the championships. There are several different rating polls & versions of who has the most national championships. The most recognized poll that is also considered the predominate final championship poll has ND #1 with 9 and OU #2 with 7. I have also seen this list at the last 2 bowl games which also displayed the championship trophy. If you use the formula that shows USC & Alabama ahead of OU than OU would have roughy 16..!! That formula uses any poll that picked a team #1. Personally, I accept the most recognized poll which has OU #2 with 7. Now on the subject of the article - excellent recruit - great job OU - congrats JOSH - welcome to Soonerland...!!!
Oh and BTW lOSUrs....Wina championsip, of any kind, in a real sport and then you can come on here and talk smack. Until then you are our be-yochs and you don't have a right to talk to a Sooner fan unless you are asking what we want on our pizza. Now go and polish your goat milking championship trophy and tell us how good you are in things like baseball even though we have a national championship in the last 15 years in baseball and you lOSUrs don't.
I see fake Stinky Pete is back. I guess he is a closet Sooner fan since he tries to act like the real Stinky Pete, who is a Sooner fan. I also guess he wasn't original enough to come up with a funny identity of his own so he has to copy someone else. What a lOSUr.
You missed the point, Stinky Pete. With conference titles come opportunities to play in BCS games. People often lose sight of the fact it's a compliment to the program and a reward for the players and coaches. Throwing stones at a program that reaches that level just seems a bit disingenious.
Your right on the conference titles, Vern. Wrong on the BCS games. We just care about them there Big 12 titles. I mean, our Top 5 recruiting classes every year shouldn't have to win any BCS games, right?
before you get pissed jeff im a huge sooner fan/ alum. giving you a heads up actually nd, alabama, and usc all have more than the sooners. and as for stinky pete... that #2 ranking is based on winning pct. easy to have a high opponent wp when you opponents are all non bcs teams except one. including one div 1-aa school.
Man, you are right, JAcob. OU has had much more difficult schedules. OSU was just ranked #2 last season for their schdeule. But, let's not let that get in the way of another national let-down! Or your entire thinking process. TTTTTTTTOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPP DDDDAAAAAAUUUUUUGGGGG!
Danny, does your mommy know you are playing on the computer again. You must either be 6 years old or just very stupid. Only Notre Dame has more Nat'l Championships than OU. As for Big 8 and Big XII championships, well, I think you've already been straightened out on that. So get off the computer before your mom finds out and go take a nap. Either that or do some research before making such ignorant statements.
Danny, at least OU is making it to Big 12 title games, BCS bowl games, and national championship games. OSU's biggest games over the past couple years? I'm sure a great trip to Shreveport, LA, the Insight.com bowl last season, and of course - OSU's constant need to try to one-up OU in attempting to play Tech in Dallas every year, like OU-TX. Have another nice year at 6-6.
Correct me if I'm wrong but the final conference game is called the Big 12 CHAMPIONSHIP game. While I think it's fair to criticize the recent BCS performances, the Sooners are 5-1 in the last 9 years.
Danny last I checked since Bob has been here only 8 "people" have actually won it all. Really of all of Div 1 coaches have won it all, only 8. How many have been that close? How many girls have kissed in your life Danny 8 bet not.
Yeah, he MIGHT get an opportunity to lose ANOTHER big game on national TV. OU, according to Bob Stoops, might "...play for championships.", but they certainly DO NOT WIN them.
"Aladenoye said he chose OU based on tradition and the opportunity to win a championship." I love it when I hear that. It is certainly a better answer than, "It was the right fit."
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