Sooners Lead for Rivals250 OT
In Oklahoma recruiting one of the surprising stories at the Rivals Five-Star Challenge was Oklahoma's apparent true standing with Rivals250 offensive tackle Adrian Ealy. The 6-foot-7, 282-pound blocker had long been a player the Sooners staff was focused on but, like many Louisiana products, the Gonzales East Ascension prospect seemed a far-fetched hope for Bill Bedenbaugh, Bob Stoops, and co.
However, his comments at the time said otherwise. Fast forward more than a month and it seems the Sooners chances have grown considerably.
"Everything has been going well, I've been talking to coach B(edenbaugh) every day," Ealy said. "I would say since the Rivals camp our relationship has grown way more, I’ve been able to talk to him on an every day basis. It got way stronger than what it was. I haven’t met him yet in person."
Ealy will fix the issue of a lack of face-to-face time between he and the Sooner offensive line coach when he visits Norman for their barbecue event on July 29.
"I want to see how the environment is, see the difference from there and at home, see the facilities, what the school has to offer. Also to get a look at the academics," he said. "Right now I’m thinking broadcasting, I heard broadcasting up there is amazing, I'm going to try and do that. I feel like that could be one of the best (majors) for me.
"Now, it’s just me, my mom, my dad, and my brother. My mom might have to work, so it may just end up being me, my dad, and my brother."
Ealy, like many in Louisiana, has long been thought to be a heavy LSU lean and while he feels the pressure to stay with the in-state powerhouse his recent visit was something of a standard trip.
"I was at the LSU camp this past Saturday. It went pretty well, I had to leave early, I wasn’t able to do one-on-ones, my first cousin was in the hospital and I had to go see him. During the time I was there it was pretty much same old, same old. It was just me getting a personal work out really," he said.
"LSU you know, me being up there all the time, well not as much as I was since I transferred. I guess you could say it is the same thing, since my ninth grade year, they want me there – I could be a big asset to the team, they want to keep me drawn, so I won’t leave."
Like he discussed in Atlanta, Ealy currently has a top group and says that one school has climbed to the top of that list.
"I’m going to say it’s five or six, but I would say right now Oklahoma is the No. 1 school right now, or tied at No. 1 – maybe Miami. I just started talking to Florida again, I’ll be there Thursday," he said. "Also Mississippi State, I grew to like them a lot.
"Florida State a little bit, I’m talking to them right now. Also, me and Alabama, I have been talking to them often. Alabama is starting to put a relationship together, talking to coach (Mario) Cristobal."
Oklahoma has clearly made a strong impression at the nation's No. 20 offensive tackle and No. 177 overall player but how has Bedenbaugh put Oklahoma in such a strong spot?
"I guess you could say, they are showing me the most love," Ealy said.
With the Sooners leading some might expect that Ealy could pull the trigger during his visit to Norman but it doesn't sound like he has any intention of deciding in the next few weeks. The next few months however? That may be a different story.
"I guess you could say it’s my choice, my mom and my dad, they really just want me to make the best choice for me – they don’t feel that I have to go to LSU," he said. "I really want to take my time, it probably will get to the point where I do want to commit (on the trip) – I do have this set day when I want to commit.
"The plan is to give my commitment the week of Sept. 10, the weekend my school plays our big rival. That will be hard to get my officials in before that but it will probably be that week in or that week after.
"My official, we are going to set that date while I am up there, to get my official, we are going to do it up there.
"The (Ohio State game) might be the one I attend."
Though the Sooners are at the top of his list, to a degree he says they aren't alone. Miami has also caught his attention and he says it's for one very simple reason.
"I guess you could say they have that relationship, like I have with coach B, coach Stacy (Searels) really shows me that he really wants me – he is telling me I could come in and start early on. That right there, that means a lot."
