OBU lands Carl Albert pair
Carl Albert lineman Caleb Holland has joined teammate Bo Bradshaw in verbally committing to Oklahoma Baptist.
Bradshaw, a linebacker, committed to the first-year program last week, while Holland made his decision official on Sunday.
Bradshaw led the Class 5A champion Titans with 132 tackles and added three sacks as Carl Albert bounced back from a 1-5 start.
Holland anchored the offensive line that was crucial in opening the run game for All-State quarterback Steven Thompson.
Holland chose OBU, which will play its first season of football in more than 70 years this fall, over multiple offers from Division I and II programs.
“It just felt like the right place for me,” said Holland, 6-foot-2, 270 pounds. “All the coaches really welcomed me in and made me feel at home there. I wanted to be a part of the new tradition of OBU football.”
MCGUINNESS’ JEFFREYS COMMITS TO THE CITADEL
Nick Jeffreys, one of the state’s top tacklers, has verbally committed to The Citadel, according to Bishop McGuinness coach Justin Jones.
Jeffreys, a 6-4, 230-pound linebacker, finished the season with 185 tackles in 13 games, helping the Irish reach the Class 5A semifinals. He also had six sacks and an interception, earning a spot on The Oklahoman’s Big All-City first team.
Known as the Military College of South Carolina, The Citadel is located in Charleston and plays in the FCS, formerly known as Division I-AA.
NEWCASTLE’S CORYELL COMMITS
Newcastle lineman Justin Coryell committed to Emporia State (Kan.) recently.
Coryell was the District 3A-3 Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.
He had 68 tackles, four fumble recoveries and four sacks for the Racers despite nearconstant double-teams.
Emporia State was 10-2 this season, finishing the season with a win over Texas A&M-Kingsville in the Kanza Bowl.
The Hornets had 19 Oklahomans on their roster this season, including Muskogee’s Shjuan Richardson. Richardson was Emporia State’s leading receiver with 84 catches for 1,375 yards.
Muskogee’s Kevin Gaddis, McGuinness’ Chris Poston, Del City’s Jeff Richards and Ponca City’s Adam Schiltz were among the other state players who made an impact for Emporia State.
OBCA CLINIC, BANQUET THIS WEEKEND
The Oklahoma Baseball Coaches Associ- ation will hold its winter clinic Friday through Sunday at the Bricktown Hotel at 2001 E. Reno Ave.
Clinic speakers include Oklahoma State’s Josh Holliday and Rob Walton, Wichita State’s Gene Stephenson, Missouri’s Bill Seamon, Arizona’s Mike Wood and Rogers State’s Ron Bradley.
The clinic includes the OBCA Hall of Fame banquet at 7 p.m. Saturday. Inductees include Stuart’s Randy Bowen, Guthrie’s Jon Chappell, Yukon’s Kevin James, Mount St. Mary’s Mike Simon and Bryan Painter of The Oklahoman.
Registration is $50 for high school and college coaches, which includes a banquet ticket and $25 for youth coaches, which includes the clinic only.
NFL-WHARTON PREP PROGRAM APPLICATIONS OPEN
This summer, NFL Player Engagement and the Wharton Sports Business Initiative will host the second NFL-Wharton Prep Leadership Program for student-athletes entering their senior year of high school.
The program, which runs from June 24 to 26 at the University of Pennsylvania, is open to male and female athletes who will be high school seniors in 2013-14. It offers leadership training and development program with instructions from Wharton professors and NFL executives.
Athletes may apply through March 15 at whartonsportsbiz.org. Thirty six studentathletes will be selected based on academic transcripts, athletic experience, leadership activities, recommendations and personal essays.
All costs other than travel to and from the program will be covered by the school.