MUSKOGEE — Blue-chip recruits Jameel Owens and Stacy McGee have cancelled a Jan. 19 visit to Florida and will announce their commitments in a press conference Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m. Muskogee coach Matt Hennesy said Tuesday.
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Owens and McGee, the state's most sought-after football prospects from the Class of 2008, have trimmed their lists. Owens is down to four: OU, OSU, Tennessee and Texas Tech. McGee is down to two: OU and Tennessee.
"They're just tired of the recruiting process,” Hennesy said. "Jameel had 28 voicemails last night and I'm sure Stacy had just as many. I told them when this all started to enjoy it now, because it was going to get old down the stretch.”
The nation's No. 6 wide receiver and No. 6 defensive tackle — according to Rivals.com — originally planned to wait until Signing Day on Feb. 6 to announce their college decisions.
In the meantime, Owens and McGee scheduled visits to Tennessee in Knoxville on Jan. 11 and Florida in Gainesville on Jan. 19.
"Florida doesn't know they're cancelling yet,” Hennesy said. "I'm about to call them. I think at this point it was just going to be a vacation for the guys.”
Hennesy said McGee also cancelled his visit to Tennessee.
"Coach Caldwell and Coach Fulmer,” said McGee who could play defensive end or defensive tackle in college.
"I didn't want to visit this weekend because I have a wrestling tournament and if I met the players, it would make the decision that much more difficult.”
McGee said he might reschedule the visit to Tennessee after he makes his commitment.
As for Oklahoma State, Mike Gundy's hiring of Tennessee wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor had little effect on Owens, Hennesy said.
Neither did Cowboy offensive coordinator Larry Fedora's departure for Southern Miss.
"(Gunter Brewer) has done a great job of recruiting Jameel,” Hennesy said. "If he had left, I think that would have knocked OSU off of (Owens' list).”
The tandem received in-home visits from Gundy, Bob Stoops, Tennessee's Philip Fulmer and Texas Tech's Mike Leach before the holiday break.
Owens played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 5, catching one pass for nine yards.
"The only reason Jameel didn't commit at the All-American Bowl was No. 1, because he hadn't got to Tennessee yet and No. 2, because he wanted to do it with Stacy.”
The commitment ceremony will be held at the Muskogee gym between the Roughers' JV and varsity wrestling matches next Tuesday.
"There's nothing magical about committing on Signing Day,” Hennesy said. "I told them, ‘We'll make a spectacle out of it if you want it and you guys can announce together on the big stage.'”
Owens finished 2007 with 994 yards and 10 touchdowns on 59 receptions, rounding out a 3,444-yard, 45-touchdown career.
McGee tallied 98 tackles, six sacks and three forced fumbles during his senior campaign with the Roughers.
Both were named to The Oklahoman's 2007 All-State team.
"We have something special planned for the commitment,” McGee said. "It's a surprise. You'll have to wait and see.”
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Ralph, no offense, but they've been saying that at OSU for years. They said it for Johnson, Jones, Simmons, Miles and now Gundy. Come here, build a program. If it isn't built by now, chances are, it isn't going to get built. And chances are, if Owens and McGee go to OSU, they'll be finished 6-6 and going to some mid-Dec. bowl for 4 years, just like the "program-builders" before them and the ones to come. Unless they lose their jobs and opt to go to the NFL early...
Patrick, what's with the sarcasm? Why do you need to get anal on me? It's none of your business where I got the info or who I know but come back after their announcement and then ask me where I got the info.
I live in Hawaii (Army), but I'm an Okie born and bred. I've been pretty much everywhere, and I can tell you, OU has one of the top 5% of all college programs in the nation, period. It's all because of Coach Stoops in my opinion, and that's also why I believe these two young men will go to OU. Whatever they decide, I wish them well and hope I'll be pulling for them in OU Crimson and Cream in the years to come.
Stacy and Jameel, team up at OU! Very few schools in the country have a legitimate chance, year in and year out, to play for a National Championship. OU is one of the few! Boomer Sooner!
To Stacy and Jameel, the easy choice is OU. By going to Norman you can be just another part of an established program. That's the easy choice. The choice followers make. Or you can go to Stillwater to help build a program and always be remembered as one of the key building blocks for the future. Or you can go to Norman and maybe (probably not) be remembered at all. Go where you can contribute to a legacy and a tradition. Go where someone who wants to be a leader and a builder. Don't take the easy way out.
Booger-You don't see me posting any info on here as if I know something about where these guys are going. And by the way...your statement makes no sense at all.
Vey good point ,Gary in OKC. I knew Osborne had a tough stretch, but we remember what happened after that. Stoops and company hate to lose probably more than any of us can imagine,so give him time he'll figure the bowl thing out. On the other hand we should never expect with today's parity in talent to win them all.In fact,if your're not at the top of your game and the other team is, you may just get blown out. Hope the guys come to OU,but the world won't end if they don't - that's recruiting.
Jameel IS going to OU. I know at one time they wanted to go to the same school but I don't know if that is still true... but I do know Jameel is going to OU. Best thing about him is his character. Guarantee you one thing....he won't be stealing gas at convenience stores!! He's a good kid.
By the way Kevin, the Sooners have won way more championships both conference and MNC than Tennessee, and I don't remember Tennessee being in a BCS bowl yet.
For all you aggies and wronghorns who are concerned about Bob Stoops recent bowl struggles, he's in good company. Bear Bryant was 0-6-1 from 1968 to 1975 in bowl games and Tom Osborne was 0-7 from 1988 to 1994 in bowl games. I still like winning five Big 12 championships in eight years. Could be worse.
If they live up to their billing, they won't get lost in any shuffle in Norman. I agree with you though in that OU has sooooooo much talent...you better shine when it's time! Chaney dropped a lot of balls this year when he had the chance, thus, he sat a lot. I was really happy to see his big catches in the Fiesta Bowl. At least he contributed! OU hit a bad streak, it wont stick, we will bounce back and win 4 or 5 BCS games in a roll, including a National Championship! BOOMER! SOONER!
If they want to compete for championships and actually win BCS games they go to Tennessee. I think they are a package deal which isn't good for OSU as McGee isn't considering the Pokes. Wouldn't shock me to see them go to Norman and get lost in the shuffle.
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Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.
oh yeahhh....