Sooners land verbal commit #20 in massive JUCO offensive tackle Will Latu
by Jordan Esco on Jan 29, 2012 1:41 PM CST
in Football Recruiting
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Following a big recruiting weekend for Oklahoma, who were hosting four official visitors, the Sooners have picked up their first of what could prove to be several commitments. Several recruiting services, including the best in the biz, are confirming that 6'5" 315 pound JUCO offensive tackle Will Latu has become the 20th member of OU's 2012 class after pledging his commitment during his official visit this weekend.
Prior to the visit, Latu had hinted at the fact a commitment could be possible given how strongly he felt about Oklahoma and his connection with Bruce Kittle. With the news of his commitment, clearly his visit went well enough to convince the big man that Oklahoma offered him the best opportunity among the schools he was considering.
Latu is the #1 JUCO offensive line prospect according to Rivals and the #7 overall JUCO player in the 2012 class. Obviously any team could use an offensive tackle prospect who can come in and start from day one, but Latu fills an especially big need for the Sooners who were forced to start a right tackle last year (Lane Johnson) who originally came to Oklahoma as a quarterback recruit.
Latu has the size and footwork to play either left or right tackle, but will likely play on the right side for the Sooners which would allow them to slide the talented Daryl Williams over to left tackle. In addition to his versatility, what Latu also brings to this OU o-line is a nasty streak that, outside of Adam Shead who emerged last year, this unit has been sorely missing for several years. The idea of Latu, at tackle, and Shead, at guard, lined up next to each other should make both the stable of OU running backs and OU fans positively giddy.
The last time OU dipped into the JUCO ranks for a starting offensive tackle, it produced a two year starter and a 2nd round NFL draft pick in Phil Loadholt. If Latu could provide a similar end result, and many believe he's a future NFL caliber player, his commitment this weekend could prove to be a very significant addition.
Welcome to Sooner Nation Will!
[UPDATE] - Also just wanted to add this. Should make you all happy.
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The man is definitely needed!
okie swag
by okie.swag on Jan 29, 2012 2:29 PM CST via mobile reply actions
I'm counting DT Jordan Wade
Similar deal to Trey Metoyer, in that he was originally a 2011 recruit and didn’t make it in but is now on campus. For some reason Metoyer is being counted towards 2012 and Wade is not, but I’m counting him in my #20 total.
"The less I know about other people’s affairs, the happier I am. I’m not interested in caring about people. I once worked with a guy for three years and never learned his name. Best friend I ever had. We still never talk sometimes." - Ron Swanson
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Have to get him into school. It will be interesting to see if OU can pull this off when Auburn and FSU could not.
No question
But OU reportedly did their homework (no pun intended) before even offering him to make sure it wasn’t a waste of their or his time. So if they think they can do it and he’ll put in the work, I don’t think it will be an issue.
"The less I know about other people’s affairs, the happier I am. I’m not interested in caring about people. I once worked with a guy for three years and never learned his name. Best friend I ever had. We still never talk sometimes." - Ron Swanson
Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans
Suburbs issue was when his semester ended, not really a pure "grades" issue
Fwiw I really loathe hearing about “getting in”. There are so many issues that people don’t even realize. For example Oklahoma’s A&P requirement in your first 2 years, when you transfer in from many states you have to have 2 different courses: mammal biology & A&P. Doubt that is seriously the issue here, but my point is just when you are coming in, you never know what is going to count & what isn’t.
+100
Of all areas of our team… The O-line is the least of my worries next season. Probably won’t be as good as the 2008 O-line, but they are going to be pretty darn good.
by herewegosooners on Jan 29, 2012 4:44 PM CST up reply actions
the o-line should be one your worries.
with our weak a$$ed RB situation we need linemen to open the holes in the opposing D
The one thing being a lot older has going for it, most of us older have seen more CFB than most younger people have seen web pages.
scarab..
They may say you are a hater but clearly we have been watching the same ou. Keep preaching
by mattsooner333 on Jan 30, 2012 8:33 AM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
you are comparing apples to oranges my friend....
I am complimenting the O-line, while you are discrediting our run game. My point is the O-line (which played descent last year) is one of the bright spots on our team.
by herewegosooners on Jan 30, 2012 3:13 PM CST up reply actions
To clarify scarab....
When I say “The O-line is the least of my worries next season”… I don’t mean they are not important, I mean they have proven themselves and they will do very well. I can see how that can be confusing, so I wanted to clarify.
by herewegosooners on Jan 30, 2012 3:23 PM CST up reply actions
He moves pretty good for a big man
"I feel sorry for peple who don't drink, when they wake up in the morning thats as good as they are gonna feel all day long." Frank Sinatra
Really gad to get this Big Man on the Sooners Team
That will make a formidable right side of the line. I hope he put in the work to get the starting slot.
The one thing being a lot older has going for it, most of us older have seen more CFB than most younger people have seen web pages.
I just hope Stoops plays Shead and not just in the belldozer package.
Love the crimson and cream
by ohiosoonerbaby on Jan 29, 2012 7:28 PM CST via mobile reply actions
I would also like to see Farniok come in and pave a few holes.
Love the crimson and cream
by ohiosoonerbaby on Jan 29, 2012 7:40 PM CST via mobile reply actions
where are you seeing that?
I know it’s expected based on some stuff I’ve heard following his visit, but I’ve yet to see confirmation anywhere?
"The less I know about other people’s affairs, the happier I am. I’m not interested in caring about people. I once worked with a guy for three years and never learned his name. Best friend I ever had. We still never talk sometimes." - Ron Swanson
Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans
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