jackal42601
7/5/2006, 09:25 PM
It seems only fitting that with Daniel Tabon's late emergence onto the recruiting scene that he would also be a bit delayed in his arrival to Norman.
Venables is undoubtedly excited about the idea of Tabon being on campus this fall.
However, thankfully for Sooners fans it looks like that delay will be much sooner than had been expected after various reports noted that Tabon was short of where he needed to be academically. According to Altus, Okla. head coach Lyn Hepner things should be all in line for Tabon to arrive late next week.
"Daniel was down not too long ago while some of our guys were going through 7-on-7 and told me that he had received the necessary hours to graduate and would be reporting on June 15," said Hepner. "I'm just so happy for him, he deserves this chance."
Previously the Altus head coach had displayed genuine sorrow for his prize prospects not being able to fulfill a lifelong dream of suiting up in the Crimson and Cream.
"I'm hoping for kind of a 'deathbed reprieve' for him. I don't see how he can graduate from Altus, but he can maybe go to summer school get the credits he need and be at Oklahoma in the fall. I hope that can happen for Daniel," he said on May 22. "I think if he can just get up there, things will turn around for him, but I just don't know anymore."
It seems that has finally come to pass through Tabon's diligent work since leaving Altus to be closer to Norman and the football program he had chosen to play for. While nothing seems to be concrete with Tabon, Hepner's excitement could hardly be contained.
"He told me flat out that he had done what he needed to and would be reporting," he said.
Tabon was arguably Oklahoma's second most talented prospect in the impressive class of 2006, and as a speedy linebacker prospect there is little doubt who the most excited Sooner is to hear of the news of Tabon's qualification.
On National Signing Day Brent Venables could finally gush to SoonerScoop.com editor Carey Murdock about his talented defensive crop of 2006, and certainly went on about Tabon's ability to be a playmaker at multiple positions.
"What was noticeable about him is wherever you put him on the field, and they put him everywhere, he had a great impact and did things extremely well," said Venables. "Whether it was receiver, running back, quarterback, returning kicks, defensive end or at safety – he played everywhere and he was awfully, awfully successful and he made a big difference on the field every game."
Venables, who has coached Butkus finalists and a pair of winners, talked about Tabon simply needing to find a position before he blossomed into a top player.
"Once he gets settled into a position and really starts to fine tune a particular spot, he has a chance to be an awfully good player for you in time," he explained. "He has a frame and he's got the size. He's 6-3, 215 and he's a 4.5-type of guy that's a knock-back tackler. He likes to play the game. He has a great, great motor."
Perhaps Venables is a big fan of Tabon due to their similar background as somewhat forgotten recruits.
"Those are the ones you like and enjoy in the recruiting process – the one's nobody knows about. Then they kind of show up and boy did he."
Venables is undoubtedly excited about the idea of Tabon being on campus this fall.
However, thankfully for Sooners fans it looks like that delay will be much sooner than had been expected after various reports noted that Tabon was short of where he needed to be academically. According to Altus, Okla. head coach Lyn Hepner things should be all in line for Tabon to arrive late next week.
"Daniel was down not too long ago while some of our guys were going through 7-on-7 and told me that he had received the necessary hours to graduate and would be reporting on June 15," said Hepner. "I'm just so happy for him, he deserves this chance."
Previously the Altus head coach had displayed genuine sorrow for his prize prospects not being able to fulfill a lifelong dream of suiting up in the Crimson and Cream.
"I'm hoping for kind of a 'deathbed reprieve' for him. I don't see how he can graduate from Altus, but he can maybe go to summer school get the credits he need and be at Oklahoma in the fall. I hope that can happen for Daniel," he said on May 22. "I think if he can just get up there, things will turn around for him, but I just don't know anymore."
It seems that has finally come to pass through Tabon's diligent work since leaving Altus to be closer to Norman and the football program he had chosen to play for. While nothing seems to be concrete with Tabon, Hepner's excitement could hardly be contained.
"He told me flat out that he had done what he needed to and would be reporting," he said.
Tabon was arguably Oklahoma's second most talented prospect in the impressive class of 2006, and as a speedy linebacker prospect there is little doubt who the most excited Sooner is to hear of the news of Tabon's qualification.
On National Signing Day Brent Venables could finally gush to SoonerScoop.com editor Carey Murdock about his talented defensive crop of 2006, and certainly went on about Tabon's ability to be a playmaker at multiple positions.
"What was noticeable about him is wherever you put him on the field, and they put him everywhere, he had a great impact and did things extremely well," said Venables. "Whether it was receiver, running back, quarterback, returning kicks, defensive end or at safety – he played everywhere and he was awfully, awfully successful and he made a big difference on the field every game."
Venables, who has coached Butkus finalists and a pair of winners, talked about Tabon simply needing to find a position before he blossomed into a top player.
"Once he gets settled into a position and really starts to fine tune a particular spot, he has a chance to be an awfully good player for you in time," he explained. "He has a frame and he's got the size. He's 6-3, 215 and he's a 4.5-type of guy that's a knock-back tackler. He likes to play the game. He has a great, great motor."
Perhaps Venables is a big fan of Tabon due to their similar background as somewhat forgotten recruits.
"Those are the ones you like and enjoy in the recruiting process – the one's nobody knows about. Then they kind of show up and boy did he."