The Reload: New Running Back Offers, Yurcich Spends Time with Jelani Woods, Update on 2018 QB Target

The Reload is PFB’s recruiting recap, catching you up to speed on the latest news and rumors surrounding Oklahoma State recruiting, with an ear to the ground for what to expect in the future.

New Running Back Offers

The Cowboy coaching staff extended offers to a couple of big-time running backs over the weekend. The first being 2019 (!!) prospect Noah Cain of Denton Guyer, the home of J.W. Walsh. Cain was named the 5-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year and named as a freshman all-american by MaxPreps. He already holds offer from Miami, Arizona, Arizona State, Tulsa, and now OSU. Cain is a big-time back who isn’t the quickest off the block but is really good in space. If you give him an inch, he’ll take it the length of the field. In just 10 games last year, Cain went for 1,083 yards. Pretty impressive for a freshman getting playing time period at a school like Denton Guyer, especially for a freshman to be that productive.

The other offer to a running back this weekend went to Henderson Texas prospect Lakendrick VanZandt. VanZandt is a two-way star who has seen time at running back, quarterback, cornerback and safety. An injury cost him several games that ultimately ended his season, but he still put up big numbers with 663 yards from scrimmage, 5.8 yards per carry, an interception and four pass breakups.

Even though his season ended short due to injury, however, it is clear schools have bought in on VanZandt’s talent. He picked up his first offer on Saturday from TCU, which quickly turned into five! OSU, Houston, Memphis and Tulane all joined the VanZandt sweepstakes on Saturday.

Although he’s been a productive back in high school, I think the offer to VanZandt could be one on the defensive side of the ball. His 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame and his freaky athleticism would make him a prime candidate for a cornerback/safety.

Mike Yurcich spending time with 2017 QB Commit Jelani Woods

Mentioned in the last Reload that offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich was spending time at a satellite camp put on by Michigan and Georgia down in Georgia. Yurcich spent some of his time at the camp getting to know Jelani Woods, OSU’s 2017 QB commit. Here’s what he told Rivals about his time with Yurcich: “It was awesome being able to work with coach [Yurcich] like that,” Woods said. “Just by working with him and he giving me great advice on what I need to work on makes me really want to be back in Stillwater.”

Mike Yurcich looks on as Jelani Woods throws a pass. at satellite camp. [Credit: Rivals]

OSU offers 2017 DB Donovan Stiner

The former Baylor commit who decommitted in the wake of the Art Briles mess, has picked up an OSU offer. Stiner is a 6-foot-2 defensive back from Bellaire Texas with offers from Houston, SMU, Baylor, Mizzou, and others. Now that his recruitment is back open, the 2017 DB should see his recruitment blow up in the coming weeks. According to multiple media reports, Stiner made an unofficial visit to Norman on Saturday. He is rated as a three-star prospect.

OSU offers 2017 Junior College D-Lineman

Defensive line has been an area of emphasis in the 2017 class, and it’s an area of recent success with defensive end commitments from Brock Martin and Nelson Mbanasor over the last few weeks. The Cowboys have now extended an offer to Trinity Valley Junior College defensive tackle Tyrell Thompson. Thompson signed with Houston in 2015 but went the junior college route, and will be eligible as a 2017 prospect.

Note on 2018 Quarterback Cameron Rising

OSU target Cameron Rising, who is expected to make a visit to Stillwater for an unofficial visit later this summer, appears to still be in constant contact with the OSU coaching staff. Here’s what Marcus Arroyo tweeted out earlier this week, the “CamEraTime” hashtag referring to Cam Rising.

Great talk? w/ #CamEraTime ??‼️ Cant wait to see the fam in July in Stilly‼️ #805Beast? #RareBreed18 #OkState ??? pic.twitter.com/SnXJmSJqOR

— Coach Arroyo?OREGON® (@coacharroyoTheO) June 4, 2016

To add to the interest, although Rising is playing in Newbury Park, Calif., his family is from Ada, Okla. and Houston area. So the opportunity to possibly move back toward home to play for a school like OSU may be something him and his family consider in his recruitment.

Landing spots for Tyree Griffin

Somewhat unrelated regarding OSU recruitment, now former OSU point guard Tyree Griffin, who has chosen to transfer, has narrowed down several schools as possible landing spots.

According to Tyree Griffin’s twitter, he’s considering Tulane, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana Tech, UNO, Colorado State, UNLV, Alabama State, Wright State, and Southern Miss. Being from New Orleans, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him landing at one of the Louisiana schools on the list.