Big official visit weekend on tap
Though they didn't get the news they hoped for from Laquon Treadwell on Thursday afternoon, Mike Gundy and his staff are primed for one of their largest groups of official visitors in recent memory.
A simple way to view the weekend? If a prospect is on the Oklahoma State commitment list under the "Committed - not yet signed" section, he is probably visiting Stillwater this weekend.
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Among the two exceptions, defensive lineman Naim Mustafaa will certainly be in Stillwater - but not as an official visitor. Mustafaa enrolled early and is two weeks into being an OSU student. Four-star athlete Jerel Morrow had been scheduled for this weekend as well, but had to move to the following weekend due to a high school basketball conflict.
Though the group is heavy on current OSU verbal commitments with 17, two uncommitted prospects will be on hand as well. Both defensive end Tyus Bowser and running back Rennie Childs are relatively recent offers by OSU, but rate among the Cowboys' top remaining targets. Childs in particular falls into that category. OSU has long been believed to be taking two running backs in the class, but the Pokes were taking long shots at highly-rated guys like Altee Tenpenny and Dontre Wilson. As soon as Joseph Randle made his intentions to enter the NFL draft known, OSU running backs coach Jemal Singleton extended a scholarship offer to Childs. From all appearances, OSU would take commitments from Childs and Wilson or Tenpenny if needed. In that event, they would join Corion Webster as running back commitments in the class. Webster is slated to visit this weekend as well.
Among the current verbal commitments visiting OSU this weekend, a pair stands out as particularly important despite already being committed. Cornerback Darius Curry has seen a strong push from Louisville's Charlie Strong in an attempt to get him to switch to the Cardinals. Curry has already told OState Illustrated that he is a "Cowboy all the way", but it's a safe bet that Gundy and co. will look to solidify that sentiment this weekend. On the other side of the ball, receiver Ra'Shaad Samples took an official visit to Kentucky last weekend and had an in-home visit from new UK head coach Mark Stoops this week. He's also been inundated by "Big Blue" fans on Twitter. A certain goal for the OSU coaching staff this weekend will be to reign in Samples and solidify his status on the OSU verbal commitment list.
It's no coincidence that the large group will be on campus for the lone home OSU basketball game among the visit weekends in January and February. The 19 known official visitors will certainly be inside Gallagher-Iba Arena on Saturday when OSU takes on Texas Tech.
Wide receiver Devin Lauderdale was listed as an official visitor for this weekend at one point, but it is believed that OSU cancelled that visit.
Stay tuned to OSI through the weekend for news from OSU's large official visitor group. Recruiting analyst Jay Fielder is set to speak with Samples on his way to Stillwater to get a pre-visit pulse from the four-star receiver.