The Impact Of Chris Wilson’s Departure On Recruiting

By his own admission Oklahoma defensive ends coach, Chris Wilson, is most likely heading to Starkville, Mississippi to become the co-defensive coordinator for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Among the commitments for the 2010 recruiting class that Wilson was instrumental in landing are safety Quentin Hayes, defensive end Chuka Ndulue and athlete Joe Powell all of whom are from the state of Texas. While its expected that all of the recruits will still sign on the dotted line for Oklahoma come February 2^nd Wilson's departure may have the biggest impact on the recruiting of five star defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat but not in the way you may think.

"Right now, I anticipate accepting the job," Wilson was quoted in the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger on Friday morning.

Jackson Jeffcoat is currently the nation's top prospect at defensive end and while he's not yet committed the Sooners are among his top choices and Chris Wilson was recruiting him along with Josh Heupel. However, Jim Jeffcoat (Jackson's father) is the head recruiter for his son's services at Houston where he's been the defensive line coach for the past two seasons under former Sooner assistant Kevin Sumlin and that's actually good news for Oklahoma.

Jim Jeffcoat (the former Dallas Cowboy defensive end) was on Bob Stoops' short list in 2005 when Wilson was hired and according to rumors is the leading candidate now to replace Wilson when he leaves for Mississippi State. You gotta think that if there was anyone better than Chris Wilson to recruit Jackson Jeffcoat to Oklahoma it would be Jeffcoat's own father.