Oklahoma State HC Mike Gundy Recalls Recruitment of Star Running Back
Recruiting in college football is more complex than it once was, and Oklahoma State has adjusted to the times.
The Cowboys’ recruiting strategy has had to shift over time with things such as the transfer portal and NIL in the mix now. However, OSU coach Mike Gundy talked about how, ultimately, the decisions are up to the players.
In making that point, Gundy recalled the recruitment of star running back Ollie Gordon. Texas offered Gordon in the waning hours of signing day before he signed with OSU.
“[The coaching staff] might text me and say, ‘Hey, Ollie Gordon got an offer from Texas,’ and then I’ll text them back, ‘That’s great,’” Gundy said. “I mean, there’s nothing I can do, like I’m not gonna get on the phone and talk him out of it. If he’s gonna go, he’s gonna go.”
Since Gordon finalized his decision to come to OSU, he has become one of the most electric players in college football. He is the nation’s leading rusher and one of two players with at least 20 rushing touchdowns this season.
While teams like Texas can easily swoop in and take a recruit from another school, it used to be much more difficult. In Monday’s press conference, Gundy also addressed the methods that were used in the past to ensure a player would stay true to their commitment.
“Coaches would go get a player, and they would take him somewhere and put him in a hotel for two days and not let other coaches talk to him before signing day,” Gundy said. “And then they would sign him in the hotel room, and then it was over. Those days are history now, so there’s communication 24-7, so it is what it is.”
While Gordon held true to his commitment to come to OSU, he will have his first opportunity as a starter to face the team that tried to snatch him at the last second. In doing so, he will try to bolster his body of work for potential awards and help OSU win a Big 12 championship.
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Ivan is a sports media student at Oklahoma State University. He has covered OSU athletics since 2022 and also covers the OKC Thunder for Inside The Thunder and Thunderous Intentions.