Julio Jones and Robert Lester officially visited OU. Scott's visit was cancelled

[owenfieldreams]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

I don't think Jones makes or breaks either class but a 5 star recruit coming on board late in the process has to help any class. If what I read is correct, he's the #2 overall rated player in the country, behind the Pryor kid.

If he is in any way comparable to Adrian Peterson in terms of impact, he will be a tremendous get for someone. Peterson was not only an outstanding player, his very presence had a domino effect on his class @ OU. Eventually, three running backs recruited with AD all changed their course because he was so good. One, D.J. Wolfe, the #6 rated RB in the nation coming out of Lawton, Ok. eventually moved to CB & then Safety & he was good enough to play in the senior bowl yesterday. The other two RB's in that class transfered & became starters & stars for their new teams.....Courtney Tennial @ Tulsa & Tashard Choice @ Georgia Tech.

Jones would seem to be in a class by himself as a WR & this is a game breaking position. Of course, not only is this all speculative, but anything can happen. He could be a monumental bust....who knows. Another aspect of his decision making process could be the QB situation @ the schools he's considering. Clearly, OU has a very enviable 3 deep @ QB with a very young RS Freshman already established, a soon to be RSF who is highly thought of, & Landry Jones, an Elite 11 kid already on campus & enrolled. Frankly, I am not sure we can keep all three, they're that good. Somebody will probably transfer before it's all said & done.

I go back to my earlier comment. Alabama has to seize control of the state to take the first step back to it's rightful place in the hierarchy of college football & Jones would be a cornerstone. I truly doubt that he would pass on this opportunity. In my humble opinion, the legacy & tradition that is Crimson Tide Football will prevail in the end. Both OU & Alabama are having great recruiting years so Jones is not the be-all & end-all for either.

 

[Bodhisattva]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

Alabama has to seize control of the state to take the first step back to it's rightful place in the hierarchy of college football & Jones would be a cornerstone. I truly doubt that he would pass on this opportunity. In my humble opinion, the legacy & tradition that is Crimson Tide Football will prevail in the end.

From your lips to God's ears.

 

[Proxigean Tide]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

This may a bit niave in this day and time, but I think hometown pressure coupled with the desire to play in front of friends and family, will play a huge part in JJ's ultimate school choice.

I live in Gulf Shores and am currently building a house in Foley, AL. There is a single high school (Floey High) and football (as everywhere in the state) is hugely popular. JJ is extremely well known and respected in this small community and he has played in front of a packed stadium for 4 years in high school.

Of course, JJ could easily head off to Oklahoma, then the NFL and never look back. However, I get the impression that JJ's ties to this little beach community run deep enough that he isn't looking to cast off his hometown roots. Despite Auburn's penetration of Mobile, the surrounding rural towns are overwhelmingly Crimson Tide territory.

I think there is real desire and expectation from friends, family and aquaitainces that JJ play for Nick Saban at Alabama. The city of Foley wants to continue cheering for their hometown football hero and there is no danger that they will all suddenly become Sooner fans. In the end, I don't think JJ will want to disappoint all these people with a surprise out-of-state school choice. Just my gut feeling.

 

[rgw]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

The thing that has to be a consideration of Julio's is that at OU he's just another big-time 5-star athlete on a team full of 4/5-star athletes. At Alabama, he's the big fish in a small pond. He could become a state hero because he's a home-grown prep that is already well known in the public consciousness. My mom loves Alabama football, but she doesn't follow recruiting like I do yet she knows about "that Julio boy."

I'm not saying that OU fans wouldn't love this guy too, but it's just a completely different dynamic with him playing for the flagship university of his home-state. He would be the undeniable cornerstone of a class that many think will be backbone of a championship tradition created by Saban at Bama. OU has plenty to offer and if I was in Julio's shoes I'd have to give Stoops and OU a fair-shake, but I simply believe that the relationships he has with people already committed to Bama (including Lester, Jackson, Scott, Barron, and others) will lead to him signing with Bama on NSD.

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

The thing that has to be a consideration of Julio's is that at OU he's just another big-time 5-star athlete on a team full of 4/5-star athletes. At Alabama, he's the big fish in a small pond. He could become a state hero because he's a home-grown prep that is already well known in the public consciousness. My mom loves Alabama football, but she doesn't follow recruiting like I do yet she knows about "that Julio boy."

I'm not saying that OU fans wouldn't love this guy too, but it's just a completely different dynamic with him playing for the flagship university of his home-state. He would be the undeniable cornerstone of a class that many think will be backbone of a championship tradition created by Saban at Bama. OU has plenty to offer and if I was in Julio's shoes I'd have to give Stoops and OU a fair-shake, but I simply believe that the relationships he has with people already committed to Bama (including Lester, Jackson, Scott, Barron, and others) will lead to him signing with Bama on NSD.

Unfortunately, there is precedent for the local hotshot setting sail for Norman . . . Marcus Dupree.

Like Julio, he was a once-in-a-lifetime talent. Like Julio, he kept to himself and kept folks guessing. And like Julio, he faced the pressure of helping the home-state school reclaim what was felt to be its rightful perch in the football hierarchy.

Dog Brewer put his career on the line trying to get Dupree to Oxford and pooof ... OU.

If you haven't read Willie Morris' "The Courting of Marcus Dupree," grab a copy. It's a fine read -- in Morris' bourbon-at-midnight, fog-on-the-Yazoo, over-the-top style.

 

[lynyrd skynyrd]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

Didn't want to start a new post due to this one. Hopefully, it will be seen. The sun is going down here in FLA. JJ should be on his way back home now. Anybody got any news on the visit?

 

[owenfieldreams]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

If you turn on ESPN 2 you might see him. He's at the OU vs Georgia women's game @ Lloyd Noble.

He had flight problems so didn't get into OKC until late so his visit has been extended to Monday.

 

[deliveryman35]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

If you turn on ESPN 2 you might see him. He's at the OU vs Georgia women's game @ Lloyd Noble.

He had flight problems so didn't get into OKC until late so his visit has been extended to Monday.

I was actually watching that game a little earlier, but the camera never panned out into the crowd while I had it on that station. It should have dawned on me that there was a good possibility that you guys had him taking in that game.

Owen, I assume that Cale Gundy is officially in charge of their recruitment(since alabama is part of his assigned geographic area), but who on the team is hosting Julio and Lester(other than probably two of your guys' version of the Bama Belles)? Just curious...

 

[bayoutider]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

Who are you?

Stop being so combative and I need no introduction.

 

[owenfieldreams]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

Gundy & the new WR coach, Norvell, are his hosts in terms of coaches. I do not know who is assigned to him from the player's ranks.

There are several pictures of Jones & Lester at the game on the Owen Field forum of OUINSIDER.COM. Lester has an OU hooded sweatshirt on which has caused a stir as to whether he bought it or we're in trouble again.....ha!

Jones is pictured talking on a cell phone & walking along the court during the game. You can see the Georgia & OU women on the floor behind him.

 

[deliveryman35]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

Gundy & the new WR coach, Norvell, are his hosts in terms of coaches. I do not know who is assigned to him from the player's ranks.

There are several pictures of Jones & Lester at the game on the Owen Field forum of OUINSIDER.COM. Lester has an OU hooded sweatshirt on which has caused a stir as to whether he bought it or we're in trouble again.....ha!

Jones is pictured talking on a cell phone & walking along the court during the game. You can see the Georgia & OU women on the floor behind him.

Say it ain't so, Owen..lol...well, then again, when in Rome do as the Romans do, right?

IF we don't get him, I hope you guys do. FSU sucks!!!!

 

[CrimsonSEC]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

Jones is pictured talking on a cell phone & walking along the court

Probably just CNS checking in.

 

[RunBamaRun]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

Personally I believe that Bama is also a "big pond", the water has just been a little low the last few years. JJ can be a part of a great class that is gonna get the water back to the correct level........and overflowing.

I also believe Bama has some good QB's, along with one coming in. With a much better supporting cast Bama's QB's are gonna look much better in the future.DT_ura1:

 

[M2J]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

There's a possibility that Jones won't even start next year in OU, they already have such good talent there including their top receiver returning. And the possibility Bradford leaves early. While we'd be looking for him to maybe be number 1 next year, and while he's no future NFL guy we'd be returning a Senior QB that can put up numbers and fed our all time leading receiver this season. And get the chance to play with a friend in Star after that.

I think he's a lock for Bama. Not just for those reasons, but for many others aswell. 1 being them making him watch a girls basketball game on one of his rare visits there. :rolleye2:

 

[CrimsonBleedRed]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

There's a possibility that Jones won't even start next year in OU, they already have such good talent there including their top receiver returning. And the possibility Bradford leaves early. While we'd be looking for him to maybe be number 1 next year, and while he's no future NFL guy we'd be returning a Senior QB that can put up numbers and fed our all time leading receiver this season. And get the chance to play with a friend in Star after that.

I think he's a lock for Bama. Not just for those reasons, but for many others aswell. 1 being them making him watch a girls basketball game on one of his rare visits there. :rolleye2:

I believe---and I can't really back it up with any substantial facts, just observations----about 70-75% of high school athletes pick a school that is basically close to home. There are those---like Joe McKnight, Ryan Mallett----before transferring---who does leave their neck of the woods, but the feeling I get is that kids tend to stay close to their comfort level.

 

[owenfieldreams]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

Bradford must play two more years before he would be eligible to declare for the draft & as I said earlier, our quality depth @ QB is sick. The Nichol kid was the two-time Michigan player of the year & is an outstanding athlete. He has a cannon for an arm & runs a 4.5. Incoming freshman Landry Jones was an Elite 11 QB & he's already enrolled in school.

We lost our #1 WR, Malcolm Kelly who just announced & is coming out early. That's why we have already sought out & gotten 3 WR commitments this year; i.e., to ensure we have quality depth. J.J. would indeed be the icing on the cake.

I still agree with an earlier poster that home, loyalty, family, etc., trumps the intrigue & pull from a school farther away.Yes, kids do make such decisions but rarely. It's ironic that there is an ongoing debate over here about our penchant for ignoring local kids & recruiting nationally. We have turned our back on several local kids who have gone on to success & have brought in some highly ranked outsiders who have been busts, many of whom have simply left due to homesickness or not liking it when they got here. There's also a theory that these out of staters do not have the passion for OKLAHOMA FOOTBALL that the local kids do.

Again, I do believe that when it's all said & done, J.J. will sign with ALABAMA, but it's fun to be involved in this high stakes recruiting. At least it povides an opportunity for me to join all my friends over here on Tidefans.

 

[AeroEngUA07]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

Owen I thought Bradford was a RS Frosh this past season. If that's the case he can leave after this season because he will be 3 years removed from HS.

 

[jps1983]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

Owen I thought Bradford was a RS Frosh this past season. If that's the case he can leave after this season because he will be 3 years removed from HS.

I'm pretty sure he was a RS FR as well, but I doubt he would go pro after this season, even though he would be eligible.

 

[AeroEngUA07]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

I'm pretty sure he was a RS FR as well, but I doubt he would go pro after this season, even though he would be eligible.

Of course he won't leave for the draft as a RS Soph, I was just saying it is possible.

 

[foley_boy]

Re: Julio Jones and Robert Lester are officially visiting OU. Scott's visit was cance

I thought he was a true freshman...that was what made his year so interesting.