CB De'Vante Harris decommits from Oklahoma
by Jordan Esco on Jan 7, 2012 3:41 PM CST
in Football Recruiting
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Four star cornerback and longtime OU commit De'Vante Harris has reportedly decommited from the Sooners as of Saturday afternoon. In what can only be described as a totally bizarre situation, it appears as if Oklahoma has lost one of the more talented prospects expected to be a part of the upcoming 2012 class.
I say bizarre because Harris had long been one of the most vocal members of the verbal commitments, routinely professing his love of all things OU. He had been actively recruiting other players to join him in Norman as recently as this week while he was participating in the Under Armour All-American game in Florida.
There are almost no details out, and we might not ever get any, on what lead to Harris' decision to decommit. The guys at SoonerScoop are saying they've heard that Harris met with DC Brent Venables in just the last day or two and that in combination with the recent reports on DB coach Willie Martinez in connection with other jobs, the speculation is the two could very well be related and that Venables gave Harris the "inside info" on Martinez's situation with the Sooners. Which if true, and admittedly at this point that's a fairly big if, apparently upset the young man enough to decommit.
Again, just very, very strange. We'll continue to follow the situation and if any additional details come out, we'll post updates as they become available.
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worrysome
"Nonsense. By all means, move." Doc Holliday, the movie Tombstone.
Good Riddance...
Better that he did it now rather than two years down the road. This may have something to do with the uncertainy of Willie Martinez’s future at OU, but I’ll take it. Talent isn’t a problem for us in the secondary. We need Mike back to get those guys in the right formation.
Not sold on the talent...
What makes you so confident in OU’s secondary talent? Outside of Jefferson, Colvin, and Hurst (at least two if which may be gone after next year), who are you impressed by?
OU signed 1 CB last year (3-star B. Okatcha), and have 1 CB commitment in this class (3-star D. Peterson). Either or both could be great players, but it’s just as likely that neither gets on the field. Harris is one of the best cover corners in the country (only true “weakness” is his size, and he will add strength/weight) — his decommitment is a huge blow for OU.
Well I'm certainly not disagreeing with you
So I’m not sure if this was directed at me, but if it is you must have misinterpreted something I said. This is a major blow for OU’s class IMO.
looks like crimsonchevron was responding
Not to you, but to herewegosooners. The comment makes a lot more sense if you read it that way, anyway.
by ClarkusKentus on Jan 7, 2012 5:24 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, I “posted a new comment,” instead of “replying.” My mistake.
by crimsonchevron on Jan 7, 2012 5:28 PM CST up reply actions
No, my comment was mot directed at you. I was referring to Herewegosooners’ comment above: “talent isn’t a problem for us in the secondary.” To the contrary, I think talent is potentially be a major problem in ’13 and ’14.
by crimsonchevron on Jan 7, 2012 5:27 PM CST up reply actions
Talent wasn't and isn't the problem...
You just named 3 talented players from our secondary: Jefferson, Colvin, and Hurst… that is 3/4 of our starting secondary for next year. This year we even had Flemming in the mix, but got torched by every legit passing team, so again…. talent isn’t the problem.
Now this is a blow when you consider stocking talent for down the road, but obviously he wasn’t commited to OU, so we can live without him.
by herewegosooners on Jan 7, 2012 5:27 PM CST up reply actions
Talent is a problem
OU had four clearly talented players in the secondary last year: Fleming, Colvin, Jefferson, and Hurst. J. Harris is a solid player, but I don’t think he should be starting or an elite D. But even including Harris, that’s 5 guys. That’s not enough, unfortunately. OU suffered a significant drop off whenever anyone other than those 5 had to play.
Next year, OU has 3 guys they can trust. Hopefully Everett is good… And what happens in 2013?
by crimsonchevron on Jan 7, 2012 5:38 PM CST up reply actions
If we are talking 2013, then yes...
I did state that this will hurt us later in my last response. That we can agree on. But I am referring to our issues last season and what we need for the immediate future. I don’t think this kid would have had an immediate impact, but it is possible (like we know Colvin and Jefferson played very well as true freshmen).
I guess to clarify my intial point… I am under the impression that this kid is a casualty of what most suspect is departure of Willie Martinez. Losing Martinez gives us the ability to rehire Mike Stoops, which is what I think will work out better for us in the long run.
by herewegosooners on Jan 7, 2012 5:48 PM CST up reply actions
It's a blow for the future not the present
Frankly, I’m not worried about the secondary or the defense as a whole for next year. Why would Harris, a vocal OU commit, decommit right when rumors are swirling that MArtinez might leave? This could mean Mike Stoops’ return, an upgrade for the future.
I also think that the secondary will be fine. We are losing Fleming, but we can move Colvin down to CB, and experiment with Gabe Lynn at SS. That way, our secondary is Colvin and Hurst at CB, and Jefferson and Lynn at S. Not a bad secondary, especially with the way that key offensive players on other teams are leaving.
by soonercowboy14 on Jan 7, 2012 5:41 PM CST up reply actions
Secondary should be alright next year....not sure about the D
But it won’t be great. OU loses its best DB (Fleming) and is counting on a JUCO to replace him. Everett could end up being great, but CB is certainly a question mark right now.
I am worried about the D though. OU’s D wasn’t very good this year (at least not consistently good — it was downright bad for at least 1/4 of the year) and the Sooners must replace their 2 best players on the DL, best DB, and a LB.
I’m concerned about OU’s 2012 D, and I’m very, very worried about the future. As JTE asks below, why does OU keep whiffing on elite defenders (or practically all defenders in this class)?
by crimsonchevron on Jan 7, 2012 5:51 PM CST up reply actions
D line really concerns me
LB, not so much. We are losing Lewis, but that’s it. I think Wort is an AA and we have Corey
Nelson. I think Jaydan Bird can step it up. However, D-line is very worrying.
by soonercowboy14 on Jan 7, 2012 6:05 PM CST up reply actions
As disappointing as this news is
What is also shines a light on is just how deficient this 2012 class is shaping up to be on the defensive side of the ball. If Harris’ decommit sticks, at this point we’ve only got four verbals from defensive players. Four!
Am I crazy, or are there plenty of holes to fill on this defense in the coming years??? Why are our defensive coaches failing, at least to this point, so miserably with defensive prospects in this class?!?
Potential for major holes on D in the next couple of years.
According to ESPN, OU’s top 11 commits are all offensive players. And zero DTs.
by crimsonchevron on Jan 7, 2012 5:31 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe another reason we need to fire Venables
We didn’t have a spectacular class in 2011 either. It’s very worrysome.
by soonercowboy14 on Jan 7, 2012 5:32 PM CST up reply actions
Pretty alarming IMO
Not sure how, this far into the process, we could yet to have a commit or really even any legitimate interest from any LBs or DTs. Mind baffling.
(Before anyone tries to correct me. I know we have a verbal from Eric Striker and I know he’s listed as a LB. But he’s the classic tweener Venables loves to recruit. Too small to be a “real” LB and too big to be a safety.)
Mind boggling, really
The lack of DTs (yes, plural) and LBs in this class is mind boggling. I refuse to believe that OU’s coaches think the Sooners are fine at DT and LB (or on defense in general) — if so, it’s time for an entire new staff.
(Aside on the DT position: in ‘12, OU will have three senior DTs (all established to be inconsistent, but that’s a different topic…) and three freshman DTs — in ‘13, then, OU will have three DTs, all sophomores, plus whoever signs in the ’13 class. That’s a recipe for disaster. (A repeat of ’10 — remember how that turned out?) This is a perfect year to sign a JUCO DT: provide a additional talent for next year, and a “bridge” to the talented Jordans in ’13. But OU only recruited one (1!) JUCO DT, V. Salt. And OU recruited Salt as an OG (what?!). He signed with Florida as a DT.)
So, assuming that OU’s coaches recognize the need at DT and LB (and every defensive position, really), that leaves one possibility: the coaches failed (miserably) to effectively recruit one DT or LB. What is Shipp doing? Venables? Stoops?
by crimsonchevron on Jan 7, 2012 9:21 PM CST up reply actions
Seems to me
We’ll be heading out to get a bunch of Juco commits soon on D, the same dang way we are having to at TE and RB, this is getting more than worrisome
"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
Not unless we can steal them away from another school
Most of the top JUCO prospects have already committed and/or signed their LOIs
I was talking about next year
"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
????
Pass me a beer,this is bad news.Considering how depleted we are at the cb postion you’d think He’d be jumping for a chance to play.
His cousin also decommitted from texass last night.
Who knows what really goes on. Could be something that was a rash decision who knows.
by OU JJ on Jan 7, 2012 6:44 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
To me it's the fact they want to go together.
Idk what position the cuz is, but to me it’s prolly half that half Martinez.
by OU JJ on Jan 7, 2012 7:22 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
One thing I noticed while watching the Rose Bowl
is how much more speed Oregon has than we do. What happened to our speed? That used to be our trademark. Now there are many teams in the country with as much, or more speed, we have — particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
When is the last time you can ever remember a player like DeAnthony Thomas at OU?
Or LaMichael James? Or Kenyon Barnard? Just that supreme athlete that is so clearly the most explosive player on the field that every single time they touch the ball you’re just waiting for them to make a huge play?
I’m sure someone will quickly point someone out and tell me how stupid I am, but I’m having trouble remembering anyone of that quality at OU.
that's a good point...
maybe the freshman DeMarco, or Adrian Peterson, I guess you’d have to say they were pretty explosive…
kind of, but not really
AD was obviously an all-timer, but even he isn’t the kind of player I’m talking about. Demarco maybe as a freshman like you said before all the leg injuries. But I can’t remember the last time we had that kind of explosive athlete on our team.
For example, when is the last time we’ve had a return man (punt or kickoff) that teams were afraid to kick to? Antonio Perkins?
ha... see below....
Thatcher was not fast, next came Perk. No one like him since. Iglesias was more like Broyles.
Maybe a Mark Bradley… maybe
Reggie Smith
Was a decent returner, but he wasn’t super explosive.
by KratosWasASooner on Jan 8, 2012 3:04 PM CST up reply actions
I had to delete mine
Because I was alerted about how insensitive I was being b/c of a particular word I used and since you had responded to me your comment got deleted as well.
Well me, you, chief we are all haters
:)
by OU JJ on Jan 7, 2012 7:23 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
ahhh...
i guess mine did as well…and I thought it was my computer, just about had my wife talked into a new I Pad.
"Nonsense. By all means, move." Doc Holliday, the movie Tombstone.
oh & see I just get criticized for the world to see :)
I dont recall anything particularly that made my eyebrows raise.
I can't help but think that JTE's point
about Martinez possibly leaving is the real issue here. I for one want a recruit to be COMMITTED to OU and not necessarily a particular coach – head coach maybe being the exception. If Martinez does leave and is replaced by Mike Stoops, and they really want this kid, and he WANTS OU, then he may be back. It’s still all verbal.
Team FIRST, Effort SECOND, Talent THIRD, Selfish NEVER
True...
But you can’t blame a kid for wanting to play for a particular coach, having developed a relationship most likely. And that’s the other thing: he’s a kid, prone to not completely weighing the situation.
by Cory Pedersen on Jan 7, 2012 7:38 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
Don't care why, honestly
Honestly, I don’t care why a player chooses OU — it could be the school, Stoops, a position coach, the NFL opportunity, an affinity for white pants with crimson stripes — I want the best players available to go to OU.
by crimsonchevron on Jan 7, 2012 9:04 PM CST up reply actions
I agree
I sort of get tired of the “if he doesn’t want us, we don’t want him” meme. It’s an old-school, testosterone laced “you’re with us or you’re against us” sort of bravado that doesn’t reflect reality at all.
The bottom line is that this is a huge decision for a 17 or 18 year old. There’s a ton of pressure and coaches spend years — literally — building up a rapport with the players they’re recruiting. When they choose a school, a lot of it has to do with the relationship they’ve built up with the coach. They’ve met the players once or twice. They’ve probably talked to Stoops once or twice. Their connection to OU is through the coach that’s been recruiting them and if they’re gone, then they’re walking into a situation where they don’t really know anyone.
People like security. In social situations, we’re much more inclined to talk to those we know than we are those we don’t know. That’s human nature. And if they know coaches at other schools and don’t even know who their position coach at OU is going to be, I can understand why they’d choose another school. And even if they’re being flighty…they’re 18 freaking years old. 18 year olds do goofy things. They’re kids. We have to understand that going in and not belittle him or denigrate him for being what all 18 year olds are.
please help me understand
why, if a recruit doesn’t want to be in the OU program, you do?
Team FIRST, Effort SECOND, Talent THIRD, Selfish NEVER
If a recruit doesn't want to come to OU...
I just want him to change his mind.
by KratosWasASooner on Jan 8, 2012 3:14 PM CST up reply actions
The way this whole deal went down
Just reeks to me. It’s easy to be bitter and say Oregon is doing something dirty, but they weren’t investigated by the NCAA and paying Willie Lyles for nothing. I’m just sayin’.
You're missing the point
My point was that people use that “if he doesn’t want us, we don’t want him” stuff as a way of rationalizing the loss of these players. There’s something wrong with them — with their character — if they decide they don’t want to come to OU. Maybe they’re telling us there’s something wrong with the program. Maybe they’re just 18 and flighty. Maybe that’s to be expected when we change coaches, even when those coaching changes need to occur. What I don’t understand is the need to blame or criticize 18 year olds who do this and the “if he doesn’t want us, we don’t want him stuff” is a way of doing that. There can’t be anything wrong with OU; there must be something wrong with him. That’s short-sighted, IMO.
Hey!
We have something in common! A player professing love to the school they verbally committed to and saying good things all the way through the UA game and then de-committing the day after!
True
But Johnson had been rumored to be wavering for days, while this news about Harris came totally out of left field. But in the end, you’re right as we both just lost pretty good players.
No worries. People often delete me from their lives because of my gratuitous cursing.
Next time, you can just be Oklahoma. Although, it certainly doesn’t carry the same prestige and bravado as Okla-fu… Ah, never mind.
Cheers.
"We smoked it all."
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