'11 TX CB Bennett Okotcha (Transfer from OU)

[Old Man Mike]

What worries me is that he seemed to have rather impulsively verballed when his buddy Cam did. Nervous....mainly because I have an instinct that he might be our best corner in the class [Hardy being the best all-around DB, but maybe a safety].

 

[InKellyITrust]

What worries me is that he seemed to have rather impulsively verballed when his buddy Cam did. Nervous....mainly because I have an instinct that he might be our best corner in the class [Hardy being the best all-around DB, but maybe a safety].

I agree with your concerns but the article did say that it took him weeks to decommit from Wisconsin for ND. It sounded like he did his due diligence before decommitting. Time is on our side with NSD coming on Wednesday. I agree with you though that he could end up being our best CB in the class. I wonder if one of these freshmen CBs will be competing for early time in nickel situations.

 

[irishandy]

Hopefully Kelly can secure Okotcha on NSD.

 

[NewEnglandGuy]

You knew this news was coming from one of our recruits...nature of the beast.

What we have working in our favor: on campus with one of his best friends (McDaniel) a week ago, NSD is only 3+ days away, Diaco, Martin, Cooks, and Kelly.

What we are working against: Oklahoma is closer to home (we always fight this...), we flipped him from another school around a month ago (like the girl that cheated on her boyfriend with you is now your girlfriend), and if he becomes "undecided" he does not HAVE to decide on NSD so that date really does not matter.

I am hoping to hear about his fax to the Gugg between 9am-10am EST 2/2/11 or it is time to worry.

 

[NDinL.A.]

OMM, as was stated, this wasn't an impulsive decision on his part. He had the offer, and took weeks to make a decision, whereas Cam decided right away (on the surface, much more of an impulsive decision).

The thing with Okatcha is that he NEVER talks to the media. So not hearing from him could be a bad sign or a normal sign; nobody knows.

He did say that only 2 schools would get him to think about opening his recruitment...ND and Oklahoma. Both came calling, and he chose ND. OK recruiting him is nothing new...he chose ND a couple months back and I believe he'll choose ND on NSD.

But then again, it's recruiting, so anything can and will happen...

 

[Bogtrotter07]

OU chasing Notre Dame commit

08:37 AM ET 01.29 | Oklahoma, looking for some late additions to its 2011 Class, is talking to Coppell defensive back Bennett Okotcha, a Notre Dame commitment.
vype.com/dfw


Read more: OU chasing Notre Dame commit - College Football - College Basketball - Rumors - FanNation

 

[koonja]

Rivals.com: Oklahoma might be making push for Coppell DB Bennett Okotcha | High School Sports Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News

Here's an article, sorry if it's a re-post

 

[koonja]

In my opinion, if Diaco can arrive at 4:30am and convince a would-be PSU commit to change his mind while he's about to hit the road to PSU, I bet he can keep a kid who's already an ND commit.

Have faith!

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

I honestly think that we don't need to worry about this kid. Oklahoma has been trying to get him for awhile now and he chose us. In addition I think he is looking forward to playing with his hs teammate in South Bend.

 

[tko]

maybe OU goes after Cam to get Bennett?

 

[IrishLax]

maybe OU goes after Cam to get Bennett?

If they haven't shown interest in him already, I don't see that as a realistic possibility.

 

[aubeirish]

maybe OU goes after Cam to get Bennett?

Maybe. But I think Cam believes that ND is the best situation for him no matter who offers.

 

[BGIF]

Rivals.com: Oklahoma might be making push for Coppell DB Bennett Okotcha | High School Sports Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News

Here's an article, sorry if it's a re-post

Coppell allowed only 11.6 points per game. Despite that teams threw away from him, Okotcha still ended up with three interceptions, 13 pass break-ups and 43 solo tackles.

Nice stats for someone "teams threw away from ..."

 

[irishandy]

Nice stats for someone "teams threw away from ..."

BGIF,
I agree nice stats for Okotcha, 43 solo tackles (along with his other stats) and this kid is only a 3*.

 

[tadman95]

It would kind of tick me off if a school suddenly came calling at the last minute. If I'm so important, where were you 6 mos ago.

It's kinda like taking a new job for more money and your old company matches the offer if you stay. Just doesn't smell right.

I know there is more to it than that but it would bug me.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

A) Cam laughed about Stanford offering.

B) Bennett had the same attitude.

C) If I were Brian Kelly, I would fly down and ask him face to face, what he wanted.

D) I'm thinkin' Bennett is an ND guy.

E) If I were Brian Kelly, (and I am not) I would start hitting on any OU comitt I could talk to especially a running back.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

Probably going to come down to NSD

 

[NDinL.A.]

It would kind of tick me off if a school suddenly came calling at the last minute. If I'm so important, where were you 6 mos ago.

It's kinda like taking a new job for more money and your old company matches the offer if you stay. Just doesn't smell right.

I know there is more to it than that but it would bug me.

ND just offered a kid today, a kid from Indiana who probably would've committed a long time ago had he been offered, but ND had other players higher on their board. Does that irk you too?

It's part of the recruiting game. Happens all the time. If I'm a dad, I'd actually prefer that each school is honest with me and my son so that we know exactly where we stand with them. If there other players on their board that are higher, then so be it. If you truly love that school you'll love that school whether they offer you in June or February...

 

[InKellyITrust]

ND just offered a kid today, a kid from Indiana who probably would've committed a long time ago had he been offered, but ND had other players higher on their board. Does that irk you too?

It's part of the recruiting game. Happens all the time. If I'm a dad, I'd actually prefer that each school is honest with me and my son so that we know exactly where we stand with them. If there other players on their board that are higher, then so be it. If you truly love that school you'll love that school whether they offer you in June or February...

Great perspective. I'd rather the coaching staff be honest with me than lie and say I was their top recruit and find out in August that wasn't the case at all.

 

[choo choo]

of course it could also be a case of "hey if we cant sign this guy or that guy, then you will be our next option" not lying at all, in fact being totally honest...and if that kid is wanting that school, then he'll wait or possibly decom later

 

[BGIF]

It would kind of tick me off if a school suddenly came calling at the last minute. If I'm so important, where were you 6 mos ago.

Do the names Mike Richardson, Brian Smith, Roby Toma, Kona Schwenke, Tate Nichols, Luke Massa, and Danny Roback ring any bells? Were Chase Hounshell and Nick Martin too long ago to come to mind?

It's kinda like taking a new job for more money and your old company matches the offer if you stay. Just doesn't smell right.

Fortunately Aaron Lynch, Stephon Tuitt, and Brian Kelly don't share your myopic perspective.

I know there is more to it than that but it would bug me.

Every year there is a bunch of ND student applicants that don't get early acceptance and are wait listed. They all feel the rejection but realize the competition is keen for a limited number of slots. Many are called, few are chosen. But the vast majority that do get a another opportunity, generally are grateful and pounce on the offer.

As a business traveler I've been wait listed or bumped more times than I care to remember. When they called my name, I've never said OR thought, "I'm not going. I wasn't good enough for you the first time. I'll walk across the terminal and take somebody else's flight."

 

[IrishLax]

A lot of chatter now that he will be flipping to Oklahoma. When asked about his decision basically said "stop asking me about my decision I will be picking a school like everyone else on NSD" whereas what we would like to here would be something like "I'm solid with ND." BO did his first junior day at OU and was always considered a heavy lean that way without an offer.

We will know either way in 4 days.

 

[BeauBenken]

One thing you always hear recruits say after picking their school of choice is "Well they've been recruiting me for awhile and have been talking to me since my freshman year..." or something of the sort. Maybe Bennett has always liked Oklahoma, but I think it does mean a lot to kids if you were a teams first choice and not just a fill in. So this may apply to the Remound Wright situation as well, but who knows.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

I wish we had time to get a backup option at cornerback for when (if) Okotcha leaves. 2012 could be a rough year for our secondary.

 

[RyCo1983]

I'm hoping that this young man sees the front 7 that will be in front of him...and maybe decides to stick around and be part of something very special.

 

[Ironman8]

I'm hoping that this young man sees the front 7 that will be in front of him...and maybe decides to stick around and be part of something very special.

To be fair, Oklahoma has a pretty solid front 7 themselves. Really hope he stays, think he is a very underrated prospect.

 

[sportallyr]

I wish we had time to get a backup option at cornerback for when (if) Okotcha leaves. 2012 could be a rough year for our secondary.

Agreed. If he's looking, then we should be looking. I hate it when we get caught with our pants down on signing day...especially at a position of need like CB! I can't fault Oklahoma. They obviously weren't planning on poaching Okotcha, but as a previous poster said, they recently lost a CB to TCU...so they went to plan B (Okotcha). Anybody who has a problem with that should pay attention to what we do if Okotcha does leave.

 

[A Pac]

I'm just hoping that Bennett can see through the BS. Oklahoma wanted nothing to do with him before but now they need a CB they come calling. ND wanted him from the start and hopefully he can see that.

 

[DillonHall]

I'm just hoping that Bennett can see through the BS. Oklahoma wanted nothing to do with him before but now they need a CB they come calling. ND wanted him from the start and hopefully he can see that.

We didn't start seriously recruiting Bennett until December.

 

[A Pac]

We didn't start seriously recruiting Bennett until December.

Well thanks for crushing my argument jerk