Tulsa Washington’s Hill surprises, signs with Michigan
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh continued to recruit Dax Hill after the Tulsa Booker T. Washington five-star football prospect flipped his commitment to Alabama.
That apparently made a strong impression on Hill, the state’s top recruit.
“He’s a great guy. He’s been talking to me throughout the whole process, even when I did commit to Alabama,” Hill said Wednesday while attending teammate DJ Jones' signing ceremony with Oklahoma State University.
“He’s the one who was always telling me to just keep doing what I need to do that’s best for me and my family,” Hill said.
Hill stunned the football world early Wednesday by signing with the Wolverines after flipping his commitment from Michigan to Alabama 11 days before.
Tulsa Washington coach Brad Calip, who said he had little contact with Hill and his family leading up to signing date, was taken entirely by surprise.
“My wife (Sapulpa girls basketball coach Darlean Calip) texted me early this morning,” he said. “She knew it before I did.”
Arkansas has big day with Okies
One day after landing a big commitment from an Oklahoma offensive lineman, Arkansas closed a strong recruiting presence in the state.
The Razorbacks signed three in-state players to a National Letter of Intent.
The in-state class was led by Putnam City’s Collin Clay ,a 6-foot-4, 260-pound defensive end who chose Arkansas in July over 20 other scholarship offers. He is regarded as a four-star prospect. He was joined by Jenks offensive lineman Brady Latham, who is 6 feet 4 and 275 pounds. He is also the son of former Oklahoma center Bob Latham. And Tulsa Union offensive lineman Ricky Stromberg also signed less than 24 hours after flipping to the Razorbacks from Tulsa.
Talihina’s Baugh signs with Houston Baptist
Talihina senior Kyler Baugh never lost sight of his dream, even as he bounced all over the football field this fall in southeastern Oklahoma.
He played linebacker. He played running back. He was on the offensive line. He finished year at quarterback.
On Wednesday, the 6-foot-3, 270-pound star without a recruiting page signed to play on the defensive line at Houston Baptist.
For Talihina head coach Kelly Gravitt, Baugh is his first player to sign to play at the Division I level.
“For him to get that chance is surreal coming from Class A football and a small community, it's very exciting,” Gravitt told the McAlester News-Capital. “And I'm very excited for him.”
Houston Baptist also landed Edmond Santa Fe offensive lineman Rey Burnett.
The Tulsa World contributed to this story.