OSU incoming frosh running back accused of armed robbery, shooting to kill

[cvsooner]

Whoa. Kids these days.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/courts/osu-freshman-running-back-accused-of-armed-robbery-shooting-to/article_67221041-2b90-5541-960f-43bc604e96f4.html

[cvsooner]

Looks like we (ahem) dodged a bullet here--

"...the No. 6 player in Oklahoma and the 44th-best running back in the nation. Previously pledged to Oklahoma, he was the first player to commit to OSU in the 2014 signing class."

[cvsooner]

So, Cale Gundy was recruiting him and then he goes over and signs with Mike Gundy. Guess that will make Thanksgiving dinner even more awkward than usual.

[picasso]

Sheesh.

[birddog]

I dont blame him for going to osu after seeing his competition here and realizing stoops wouldn't give him cash. Gundy needs to hire some financial advisors for his incoming frosh so they don't blow it all on weed then resort to stealing other peoples weed, and shoes.

[PrideMom]

The article stated that the WHOLE family had a history with the law inforcement. He has no set values, you do not want that type on a team. He could be caught stealing, and never following the team rules, because he never did in the past.

[badger]

The article stated that the WHOLE family had a history with the law inforcement. He has no set values, you do not want that type on a team. He could be caught stealing, and never following the team rules, because he never did in the past.

I wonder if OSU still has their "weed circle (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20130912/oklahoma-state-part-3-drugs/)" :stunned: :les:

[KantoSooner]

I hadn't really thought of it, but it makes Les Miles' habit of eating grass a bit suggestive, no?

[badger]

I hadn't really thought of it, but it makes Les Miles' habit of eating grass a bit suggestive, no?

Do I think that OSU would value a Bedl@m victory over a player's ability to read? Over a player's ability to escape addiction? Over a player's educational opportunities?

Survey says... :les:84-17-7![hairGel]

Sad thing is they lose to us regardless

[cvsooner]

Maybe the SI series was more accurate than earlier imagined of a cultural problem at OSewe.

[Therealsouthsider]

...wonder why aggy signed him

ss

[8timechamps]

Thomas was offered and committed to OU last year. There is word that his offer was pulled (but no official announcement was ever made...which wasn't surprising). Thomas committed to OSU very quickly afterward.

Yet another bullet dodged.

I doubt the kid ever sees a football field again.

[BoulderSooner79]

Yet another bullet dodged….


I see what you did there.

[swardboy]

I've got to wonder if OU Gundy ever says to OSU Gundy, "You need to avoid this one. He's a bad hombre."

[Mazeppa]

I've got to wonder if OU Gundy ever says to OSU Gundy, "You need to avoid this one. He's a bad hombre."

I don't think OSU Gundy would ever take advice from OU Gundy or OU anybody.

[Mazeppa]

There's more to the story:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/oklahoma-state-rb-devon-thomas-facing-three-more-felonies-181249710.html

[yermom]

pistols firing!

[olevetonahill]

pistols firing!

Heh.

[8timechamps]

I see what you did there.

Completely unintentional....excellent!

[Eielson]

The article stated that the WHOLE family had a history with the law inforcement. He has no set values, you do not want that type on a team. He could be caught stealing, and never following the team rules, because he never did in the past.

I don't know much about Thomas beyond the fact that he was a really good player in high school and that I was a little bummed not to get him, so maybe his history does go above and beyond other players we've offered, but I doubt it. I like to think we're better at recruiting from a character perspective than most schools, but this kind of thing could easily happen to our program. In fact, it almost did, seeing as we offered him.

I do agree that we don't want this kind of kid, though. I just think we tend to have a couple.

[KantoSooner]

Has anyone considered that he just really, really likes wearing orange?

[badger]

The sad part is that kids like this need college, need to get away from bad hometown situations, and they let themselves get pulled back in when they aren't in that structured support environment of a college team.

He needs it more than OSU needs them, and since it's not a charity but a tens of millions of dollars business ($23 million check from Big 12 share this year, for example) with a $3 million(ish) per year head coach in a stadium that underwent a $165 million expansion in the past decade... you're gone. You need the team, you need the coaches, you need to have an escape from that criminal lifestyle, but you blew it.

He should have signed with a program farther from home and not come back during the summer

[MichiganSooner]

Some very good points, Badger.

[PrideMom]

You can't fix stupid! People have only two choices in this world and they are: to do right or to do wrong. Unfortunately, some people don't get it! There is NO REWARD for picking the wrong!!

[KantoSooner]

I want to know about the clothes he stole. Were they orange, too? He may have an obsessive disorder that would explain everything.

[Soonerjeepman]

The sad part is that kids like this need college, need to get away from bad hometown situations, and they let themselves get pulled back in when they aren't in that structured support environment of a college team.

He needs it more than OSU needs them, and since it's not a charity but a tens of millions of dollars business ($23 million check from Big 12 share this year, for example) with a $3 million(ish) per year head coach in a stadium that underwent a $165 million expansion in the past decade... you're gone. You need the team, you need the coaches, you need to have an escape from that criminal lifestyle, but you blew it.

He should have signed with a program farther from home and not come back during the summers

I have taught and coached these types of kids, unfortunately they are so far gone...through the system that is..education, that it would be really hard for them and the university to change their character. It's not up to the University, any...to do that. Sure they can help but bottom line is the kids make the choices and they've made such poor choices for such a long time and got away with it (I'm talking Kindergarten and up) that they know no better. All the athletic ability in the world won't change poor decision making.

[8timechamps]

The sad part is that kids like this need college, need to get away from bad hometown situations, and they let themselves get pulled back in when they aren't in that structured support environment of a college team.

He needs it more than OSU needs them, and since it's not a charity but a tens of millions of dollars business ($23 million check from Big 12 share this year, for example) with a $3 million(ish) per year head coach in a stadium that underwent a $165 million expansion in the past decade... you're gone. You need the team, you need the coaches, you need to have an escape from that criminal lifestyle, but you blew it.

He should have signed with a program farther from home and not come back during the summer

I don't completely agree with that badg. Some of these kids need a change, but just as you said, college (and college athletics) aren't a charity. There are so many programs available to young men, if they really want change, that are free. Getting a full ride to play sports at the next level is a privileged that, unfortunately, some throw away.

In this case, the writing was on the wall long before he ever stepped foot on campus. It's too bad that he couldn't take advantage of the situation, but some folks just can't be helped.

[Jason White's Third Knee]

Pistol Pete jokes. We need those.

This is terribly sad. They knew the guy? The incredible stupidity of some people is astounding.

[Mazeppa]

Another red flag about this kid.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/24591100/report-oklahoma-st-rb-suspended-in-high-school-over-child-porn-charge

[badger]

We dodged a bullet --- we apparently offered this guy. (http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/144385/devon-thomas) The headlines could have very well been "OU running back" instead if he had just chosen the red hat instead of the orange one (he was an early enrollee).

So... is what it is.