name the sooners biggest recruiting busts

[misplacedsooner]

we all know we get our share of big timers, 4 and sometimes 5 star guys. we make the so called experts scratch their heads when we take 2 and 3 star guys and make them into 5 star players. but what im wondering is who have been our biggest busts? 4 or 5 star guys that just didnt pan out or couldnt break into the lineup. also knuckleheads that couldnt get with the program... i think back a couple years to that wideout that was supposed to set the world on fire but had business with a gun in high school then got here and decided he was a rapper...cant think of his name but i remember he went to a small school and kinda sucked there. any others you can think of??

[Leroy Lizard]

Josh Jarboe

Not sure I would call Bomar a recruiting bust, nor Marcus Dupree. They both started and had their moments.

How about Glen Bell?

[MyT Oklahoma]

Rhett Bomar makes my short list, not that he couldn't have proven himself on the field eventually. His main problem was a lack of character.

[MyT Oklahoma]

Yep Josh Jarboe makes my list for the very same reason as Bomar.

[THE-JROD]

Jarboe was the first that came to my mind! Fuk'n idiot.

[SoonerLB]

It would be a lot more fun to recall the recruiting busts of other schools, just sayin' . . . . . ;)

[Leroy Lizard]

Does anyone have any of the old Recruiting Specials of Sooners Illustrated? It would be fun to go back and look at the five-star players.

Wasn't Kelly Phelps a big-time recruit?

[goingoneight]

Dupree wasn't a bust. The 30-for-30 clearly showed that. He just went the Bobby Reid route.

Bomar was nowhere near the QB that Bradford and Jones were as freshmen. I know they had different surrounding casts and stuff, but it's obvious he was a kid with a strong arm and a lot of growing up to do. There's only a bazillion of those out there. Jones and Bradford showed themselves to be studious and classy in victory and in defeat. Bomar was a typical college kid who just-so-happened to have a big arm and a few stars next to his name.

[Dwight]

Josh Jarboe
Adron Tennell

[Sooner-N-KS]

Mo Dampeer

[MichiganSooner]

Who was the quarterback from Louisiana who fell off the pickup truck?

[Soonerfan88]

Does Chris 'Smoke' Patterson qualify? He couldn't make grades out of either HS or NEO and then didn't do much at K State when he finally did get out of JUCO.

[SoonerFaninAZ]

I remember Bernard Hall out of Detroit being a future stud. That never panned out. For multiple reasons.

[GDC]

Who was the quarterback from Louisiana who fell off the pickup truck?

Brent Rawls

[SoonerStormchaser]

Someone remind me who Jarboe was?

My vote is Chijoke Onyenegecha

[Wayne Jarvis]

Dean Blevins was the no. 1 ranked QB in the country coming out of high school......

[cccasooner2]

Who was the quarterback from Louisiana who fell off the pickup truck?

Brent Rawls I think.

Oops too slow.

[SoonerStormchaser]

Dean Blevins was the no. 1 ranked QB in the country coming out of high school......

But he had a 60/60 chance of succeeding in college and a subsequent broadcast career

[85sooners]

Kickers

[sooner59]

Wasn't Calhoun a 5-star guy?

[Curly Bill]

Yes.

Calhoun was in the class with Stephen Good, and RJ Wasington. All were 5-stars, and Good has been the only player to make a dent so far, and he certainly hasn't lived up to any 5 star status.

[Easting]

Ahmed Kabba

[SanJoaquinSooner]

Guys who became starters and played aren't the biggest busts. It's the ones who were highly recriuted and never played much at all.

Bomar started as a redshirt freshman and was the MVP of the Holiday Bowl. Very few recruits start as redshirt freshmen.

[Tigeman]

Bomar also found his way into the NFL in some measure. Can't quite say he's a bust.

Definitely gotta be Jarboe or Calhoun.

[ouwasp]

What about the guy that got OU on probation back in the mid-70s? Kerry somebody I think...

[SteelClip49]

Troy Aikman

[sperry]

Moe Dampeer, Mike Reed, Onyenegeche, and Adron Tennell come to mind. R.J. Washington has some serious work to do to overcome the bust label. Stephen Good hasn't been as Good as advertised, but he's at least a decent player. Calhoun was stuck behind some great running backs ahead of him in classification, and then got hurt this past year, so I'm not sure it's fair to label him a bust.


Bomar wasn't a bust, he was a good player, just an idiot. He would have put up some really good numbers if he hadn't got kicked off the team. Luckily, getting kicked off the team paved the way for a guy who put up better numbers than Bomar could have dreamed of.

[SoonerGrant]

Keith Nichols comes to mind for me. Was supposed to be a great QB recruited from Big10 country. Came to school in December. Lasted a year, then transferred.

[Leroy Lizard]

What about the guy that got OU on probation back in the mid-70s? Kerry somebody I think...

Kerry Jackson. Not sure whether to call him a bust or not. Strange situation.

[OUstud]

Fred Fleeks, Avery Shine, Bobby Klinck, Michael Northen.

(Blasts from the past. Oh yeah.)

[Jason Alexander]

Keith Nichol comes to mind for me. Was supposed to be a great QB recruited from Big10 country. Came to school in December. Lasted a year, then transferred.
He had to compete with Bradford. I would have transferred too. There are probably 50 Sooner recruits that were bigger busts than Nichol. Plus, he wasn't that highly rated. He was a 4 star recruit at best and he's having success at Michigan State, even if he is playing WR.

[pphilfran]

Fred Fleeks, Avery Shine, Bobby Klinck, Michael Northen.

(Blasts from the past. Oh yeah.)

Fred is a damn good one...the other two don't ring a bell...

[ashley]

This is easy. Dupree.

[Soonermagik]

Chijiokie, Dampeer, Bomar, Rawls, Jarboe & Chaission (sp?) Those guys all really stick out.

Oh... wasn't Eric Bassey highly recruited?

[lexsooner]

The biggest bust without a doubt was James Lee, five star DE from Texas. He should never have been admitted to any college since it turned out he could not read. He transferred to a JUCO and then enrolled at Baylor.

[sooner518]

The biggest bust without a doubt was James Lee, five star DE from Texas. He should never have been admitted to any college since it turned out he could not read. He transferred to a JUCO and then enrolled at Baylor.

that never stopped Dexter Manley from graduating from OSU


I'd say a true bust is someone who could never make the field. Like Moe Dampeer or Rawls or Chris Patterson.

[owenfieldreams]

Bill Van Burkleo.

[Boomer.....]

Brent Rawls

This was my first thought.

What about Jameel Owens?

[Monster Zero]

I remember Bernard Hall out of Detroit being a future stud. That never panned out. For multiple reasons.

This one right here. ^^^ Numero Uno on this list.

[Harry Beanbag]

Greg "The Terror" Wilkins, DT from Chicago.

[BigTime1]

DaBryan Blanton
Probably the fastest guy ever signed and nobody could stay on the field with him in HS. Went straight track but hey at least he still came and did the university some good.

[bmjlr]

Someone remind me who Jarboe was?

My vote is Chijoke Onyenegecha

^^^^this and Mo Dampeer are my two.

[oumartin]

Chijiokie, Dampeer, Bomar, Rawls, Jarboe & Chaission (sp?) Those guys all really stick out.

Oh... wasn't Eric Bassey highly recruited?


funny how Bassey managed to make it into the NFL as a bust.

[CrimsonCommando]

Anyone remember Eric Thunander or Jamar Mozee? Yikes!

[texaspokieokie]

Josh Jarboe

Not sure I would call Bomar a recruiting bust, nor Marcus Dupree. They both started and had their moments.

How about Glen Bell?

Glen Bell had off-field problems, but at least was found "innocent".
finished his career @ southeastern @ durant. don't know how well he did.

Dupree was a bust. he quit !!

[Mad Dog Madsen]

Fred Fleeks, Avery Shine, Bobby Klinck, Michael Northen.

(Blasts from the past. Oh yeah.)

Heh. I know Avery and his brothers. He couldn't even handle the workouts at OU...

[Caboose]

funny how Bassey managed to make it into the NFL as a bust.

Bassey is a tremendous athlete, he just isn't a football player.

[Caboose]

Greg "The Terror" Wilkins, DT from Chicago.

Came here to say this.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Heh. I know Avery and his brothers. He couldn't even handle the workouts at OU...

I didn't think Avery would pan out..He was a good high school player, but I didn't think he would do much in college. I hardly consider him a bust. To me, thats like calling a 5th round draft pick a bust.

I think Rawls in the Stoops era is the guy.

Jarrod Reese still makes me weep

[oumartin]

Bassey is a tremendous athlete, he just isn't a football player.


Bassey made more than enough plays to not be considered a bust.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55Q13eyynXU

[SWEAT PEA HOLIEWAY]

Tony Cade

[stoops the eternal pimp]

^ very good choice

[Soonermagik]

Anyone remember a highly recruited LB from Chicago a few years ago? He then went to NEO and disappeared. Can't think of his name. Never could become eligible due to academics.

[Soonermagik]

Don't get me started on Bassey; best "practice" player of all time.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

You are talking about Chris Patterson who was brought up earlier...that dude disappointed everywhere

[TahoeSOONER]

Justin "Screw Driver" Chaisson was a four star and was a beast in HS.

Our depth at that position would be insane if he stayed and he would likely have started next year in my opinion, idiot.

[OUMallen]

Chris "Smoke" Patterson
Chijioke- I think I remember BV saying he was the best athlete he had ever seen.

[sooner28]

Anyone remember Eric Thunander or Jamar Mozee? Yikes!

You beat me to Jamar Mozee.

[Caboose]

Bassey made more than enough plays to not be considered a bust.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55Q13eyynXU

Oh I agree... I just think he got by on pure athleticism as opposed to football skills. He had speed to burn but lacked football instincts...took horrible angles to the ball.

[Soonermagik]

You are talking about Chris Patterson who was brought up earlier...that dude disappointed everywhere

Patterson, that's him.

[Mad Dog Madsen]

Eric Huggins and Adron Tennell.

[Paperclip]

Dusty Loveless

[Partial Qualifier]

I don't see how you can say Onyenegetcha was a bust. Disappointing, yes, but not a bust.

Now Vernon Maxwell... that was a recruiting bust

[E-Town]

The Selmon Brothers.... Just Kidding ;)

[OUTrumpet]

Hunter Wall and Brent Rawls.

Didn't they come from the same high school too?

:gary:

[OUthunder]

Rawls

Cade

Maxwell

The lineman who transferred to Stanford. IMHO, he really screwed our team.

[badger]

I am most disappointed in Brett Romar. Yes, he started, yes he got the little whale trophy for spiking the ball and getting a flag near the endzone to end the Holiday Bowl, and yes, he's somewhat in the NFL now.

I'm disappointed because people still associate him with OU for bad reasons :(

[Soonermagik]

Some guys have surprised me, though. Keenan Clayton & Chris Chester are both doing well in the NFL. CJ Ahyou is another guy who has surprised me at the next level.

I guess a guy can kind of be a "bust" at OU and have success in the NFL. I guess we need to define bust.

[texaspokieokie]

Eric Huggins and Adron Tennell.

Tennell at least made the team & kept trying for 4 years.

[texaspokieokie]

Hunter Wall and Brent Rawls.

Didn't they come from the same high school too?

:gary:

don't know, but don't think so.

[Soonermagik]

I think I remember reading Huggins profile and he described his game as T.O. like. lol

[MojoRisen]

I am kind of on that Good, Calhoun and Washington wagon- Hope they can get off this year though!

[GDC]

Eric Mitchell

[SoonerOX]

Tennell at least made the team & kept trying for 4 years.

Agree. I really wish he had lived up to his billing.

[NormanPride]

Some guys have surprised me, though. Keenan Clayton & Chris Chester are both doing well in the NFL. CJ Ahyou is another guy who has surprised me at the next level.

I guess a guy can kind of be a "bust" at OU and have success in the NFL. I guess we need to define bust.

All those guys had great careers at OU, though...

[SoonerFaninAZ]

Eric Mitchell

Really?

He had a great career as a backup to Holieway.

His biggest problem was...he wasn't Jamelle Holieway.

[BigTime1]

All those guys had great careers at OU, though...

Thats what I was about to say.

[Soonermagik]

All those guys had great careers at OU, though...

Mediocre at best, IMHO. Clayton sat on the bench for a long time after that missed tackle against Washington. Ahyou was good, but never dominant.

[70sooner]

What about the guy that got OU on probation back in the mid-70s? Kerry somebody I think...


Jackson had a career ending injury, so I don't know you could call him a bust....

there was somebody back in the early 70's who was supposed to be a real stud running back and never panned out, but I can't remember his name, LOL!

[OhU1]

Dusty Loveless

Loveless deserves serious consideration as biggest bust. He was highly hyped coming out of Norman High and was basically too lazy to play D-I ball.

[RacerX]

Brent Rawls and the WR from the same HS.

Dusty Loveless. (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1005569/index.htm)

[SoonerStormchaser]

Adrian Peterson...he never won the Heisman or the MNC.

[sperry]

Some guys have surprised me, though. Keenan Clayton & Chris Chester are both doing well in the NFL. CJ Ahyou is another guy who has surprised me at the next level.

I guess a guy can kind of be a "bust" at OU and have success in the NFL. I guess we need to define bust.



Keenan Clayton and C.J. Ah You were two year startersr and excellent players at OU? How can that in any way be classified as a bust?

[SoonerShay]

Saying any player that is still here is a bust is ridiculous. You can't be a bust until your time is up or you leave the program at the least.

Chester, Clayton and Ahyou were mediocre? Seriously? What games were you watching exactly? Chester went form tight end to starting at center and gaurd, to getting drafted in the 2nd round.
Ahyou started his only 2 years here, finished with 11 sacks and a defensive mvp of Holiday Bowl. Clayton started for 2 years, in those 2 years he 14 pass defended, 8 forced fumbles and 5 sacks and 19 TFL's.
With your standards, half the team could be labeled bust.

[Breadburner]

http://www.tailgatelot.com/storage/post-images/oklahoma-cheerleader-tailgate-2.jpg

[oumartin]

^^^winner^^^^

[OULenexaman]

I remember Bernard Hall out of Detroit being a future stud. That never panned out. For multiple reasons.

That's the one I was thinking of....;) Good call...

[OULenexaman]

hummmmm....Charles Thompson.

[Mad Dog Madsen]

oudavid1

[BigDeezy]

Picture^^^ Yes, very big OU busts.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

You guys talking about the WR with Brent Rawls..


I think his name was Triston Ross

[Sooner Among The Pack]

Someone remind me who Jarboe was?

My vote is Chijoke Onyenegecha

^ This. Tom Brokaw gave the graduation address my senior year in 2004. He mentioned him by name in the address, citing how excited his son was that he was coming to OU. I remember ONE play he made, a pick six @ Nebraska in 2005. Brokaw deserved more.

[stoopified]

Guys who became starters and played aren't the biggest busts. It's the ones who were highly recriuted and never played much at all.

Bomar started as a redshirt freshman and was the MVP of the Holiday Bowl. Very few recruits start as redshirt freshmen.Bingo.So many of the guys named on this thread played a lot and many started.If you play enough to leeter and certainly start you are not a true bust .A true bust is spmeone that when you read the name you say WHO THE HECK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

To that end I nominate Arthur Atkins.Who you say?He was a hs eammate of Cedric Jones,both were bluechip DL from Houston(Lamar, I think).Jones went on to be a stud and play in the NFL,Atkins was a non factor. Dusty Loveless DT from Norman also comes to mind.He was a stud who left the team or was asked to leave(depending on your source).Apparently had work ethic,attitude issues.

[pappy]

Mo Dampeer, Mike Reed, Chijoke Onyenegecha, Adron Tennell, RJ Washington (so far), Tony Cade, Akim Milington, Brandon Keith, Tristen Ross, Brent Rawls, Chris Patterson, Eric Huggins, Curtis Bailey, JR Bryant, Josh Jarboe, Jameel Owens, Noah Allen, DaBryan Blanton, Wayne Chambers, Justin Chaisson.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Didn't Wayne Chambers get shot?

[texaspokieokie]

jameel owens is playing for tulsa.

[Sooner04]

Hunter Wall and Brent Rawls.

Didn't they come from the same high school too?
Hunter Wall was from Coppell, Texas. Rawls came from Evangel in Shreveport, Louisiana. BTW - Tristan Ross also came from Evangel as well.

Didn't Wayne Chambers get shot?
Yes. I believe it was at a party either in Purcell or Pauls Valley.

Other recruiting busts I personally remember or remember hearing stories about.

1. Chris Melson
2. Mike Clopton
3. Mike Reed
4. Brett Rayl
5. Donta Hickson
6. Rashaad Carruth (trust me).
7. Brian Odom
8. Vernon Maxwell (possibly an all-timer).

A couple of other thoughts:

1. Onyenegecha - Was a decent/solid corner. We were led to believe he was a hybrid of Night Train Lane, Deion Sanders and Charles Woodson. He, obviously, was not.

2. Some guys who are listed as busts were nothing more than victims of bad timing. Eric Mitchel, for example, would've made a fine option QB, but he just wasn't as good as Jamelle or Charles Thompson. His run against UCLA in '86 is an all-timer.

3. I hate the whole scheme of recruiting, but I've always been forever fascinated in how players turn out and how they contributed in comparison to their ranking coming out of high school. For instance, Ataleo Ford was a prized prospect whereas Mark Clayton was little more than an afterthought.


Thank you for your time.

[Mad Dog Madsen]

Didn't Mike Reed leave the team to take care of his family? Is it really fair to call him a bust?

[Jason Alexander]

Jimmy Stevens

[stoops the eternal pimp]

I miss you 04...

[RacerX]

Having lunch in Dallas one OU/Texas weekend, they're showing highlights of some OU game and my wife and I are talking about it.

The waitress tells us she went to Coppell and then tells us that Hunter's nickname was brick. Hunter "Brick" Wall, cuz talking to him was like talking to a...

Apparently he was really dumb. His behavior at OU reflected it.

[Chiliman]

Keenan Clayton and C.J. Ah You were two year startersr and excellent players at OU? How can that in any way be classified as a bust?

Good lord, really.

[Chiliman]

Mo Dampeer, Mike Reed, Chijoke Onyenegecha, Adron Tennell, RJ Washington (so far), Tony Cade, Akim Milington, Brandon Keith, Tristen Ross, Brent Rawls, Chris Patterson, Eric Huggins, Curtis Bailey, JR Bryant, Josh Jarboe, Jameel Owens, Noah Allen, DaBryan Blanton, Wayne Chambers, Justin Chaisson.

Curtis Bailey had a back injury. He went on a medical scholarship. He roomed with Sammy B even after he had to quit playing. Wayne Chambers had a neck injury and had to stop playing. He was actually one of the S & C coaches for a period of time. Hard to call them busts due to injury.

The rest you list=bust.

[AlbqSooner]

hummmmm....Charles Thompson.

If by recruiting bust we are talking about not living up to their hype as football players, there is NO way to even mention Charles Thompson in this discussion. He was one of the best wishbone QBs ever at OU.

If you want to get into his character, you have a valid point during the time he was at OU. At present, he is an exemplary citizen and is to be commended for his redirecting his life in a positive direction.

[buck]

Hunter Wall and Brent Rawls.

Didn't they come from the same high school too?

:gary:

these two were the first to pop into my mind

[Sabanball]

Nigel Clay comes to mind.

[SoonerStormchaser]

Moe Dampeer's problem was that he hit the buffet more than the weight room...look at him in this video after he transferred. I think he ate Loadholt before the game!
0EaPM3vCcfM

[Leroy Lizard]

Charles Thompson.


I just hate myself at times.

[JLEW1818]

Under Stoops, Mike Reed by far

[bixby28]

1. Moe Dampeer
2. Jermie Calhoun
3. Stephen Good
4. Reggie Skinner

[AlbqSooner]

I just hate myself at times.

You'll never walk alone.;)

[texaspokieokie]

this is a rotten thread. several of these guys mentioned are not "busts" at all.

some moron who didn't have a clue put a buncha stars by someones name
& others later decided he didn't live up.

Jermie Calhoun & good aren't done yet, how can they be "busts" ???

[bixby28]

S.Good will be a senior in 2011 and hasn't lived up to 5* potential, by any means. He's a work in progress still. I was excited when OU signed him a few years back but he has not been the player he was expected to be. He's got another year to shine in 2011, and I hope the guy does. I'm the last guy that wants to see any of the players not reach their potential.

Jermie Calhoun has done even less than Good has. The talent OU has at RB is only making it harder and harder for Calhoun to, once he's back from his knee injury, get on the field. Like S. Good, I hope he steps up and plays a bunch in the future, because it hasn't happened yet, injury or not.

[soonerfan28]

Moe Dampeer & Brent Rawls for sure

[SpankyNek]

Dusty Loveless for me...still remember that pic in SI of him on one of those playground Merry-go-rounds in a 3 point stance, showing off his OU tattoo.

Also Vernon Maxwell.

(What was the story on Ronbrose Jones...was it injury?)

[Big D Sooner]

Go look at the 2002 and 2003 recruiting classes. There are quite a few 4 and 5 star guys that I don't even remember. I do remember Tony Cade, and I also remember he sucked.

[Big D Sooner]

Mike Hawkins, Jeff Lebby, Abner Estrada, Aaron Blanton, DaBryon Blanton... all Scout 4 or 5 stars in 2002 and none of which I have any recollection of.

[SpankyNek]

Mike Hawkins, Jeff Lebby, Abner Estrada, Aaron Blanton, DaBryon Blanton... all Scout 4 or 5 stars in 2002 and none of which I have any recollection of.

Micheal Hawkins was the homeless kid that started as a true fresman for us. He had some mental problems IIRC, and quit football.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

And was talented enough to be drafted in the NFL regardless later on

[Harry Beanbag]

Mike Hawkins, Jeff Lebby, Abner Estrada, Aaron Blanton, DaBryon Blanton... all Scout 4 or 5 stars in 2002 and none of which I have any recollection of.

Michael Hawkins had a lot of problems, talent wasn't one of them. He's bounced all over the NFL the last 5 or 6 years, don't know if he's played in any games or not.

Jeff Lebby had to quit football due to injuries.

Abner Estrada, I remember the name but don't recall what happened to him.

Aaron Blanton is a name that doesn't exist regarding OU football as far as I know.

DaBryan Blanton gave up football to concentrate on track, since he had a chance to be world class in that sport.