Not long after Rich Rodriguez took the helm of the Michigan football program, it became clear that the Wolverines' longtime recruiting map had taken a dramatic shift. The most obvious difference was the strong emphasis placed on blanketing the state of Florida. That overshadowed other more subtle changes, like an increased presence in Oklahoma.
Breaking through the barriers set up by Big 12 powerhouse Oklahoma and in-state rival Oklahoma State is a daunting task for any program. In most instances, attempts to lure elite talent away from the Sooner State are exercises in futility. One of the rare exceptions to that rule will be Midwest City, Okla., running back David Oku.
According to Scout.com, the 5-10, 185-pound Oku is a five-star prospect, the No. 5 running back nationally, and the No. 36 prospect overall. Thanks to his 4.47 speed and explosive cutting ability, he racked up 1,628 rushing yards, 20 touchdowns, and all-city honors for the third consecutive season.
"I have great awareness," Oku said when asked to describe his game. "I have speed, open-field acceleration, good hands, I'm real quick, and can shed tackles easily. I'm a home run threat."
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Carl Albert High coach Gary Rose concurs with that assessment by his star pupil, but he also believes there is room for improvement.
Said Rose, "David is extremely strong, has great balance and great moves. He also has great vision -- sometimes too much vision for a running back. Sometimes he actually sees way too much and needs to just take off. But he is what I call a complete running back that can do everything."
'I want to get in, compete'
That's probably why a veritable who's who of college football descended upon Midwest City this spring to recruit the talented youngster. After a great deal of deliberation, though, only Florida State, Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee and Nebraska made the cut. Though Oku claims no leader among the five, he readily admits his childhood affinity for the Seminoles.
"Florida State has always been a school I have liked," Oku told Scout.com. "You can ask anyone here in Oklahoma who I like, and they'll say FSU. I'm trying to separate that, though. I'm not going to let that affect where I go."
He added: "I love the tradition at Florida State, but the thing about them is that they haven't had a 1,000-yard rusher in like 10 years."
The Seminoles weakness in that area is positive news for the other programs, but they each have their hurdles to overcome. For Michigan, one of the most significant is Oku's uncertainty over how quickly the Wolverines can transition from a traditional offense to the spread-option attack.
"What coach Rich Rodriguez did at West Virginia was amazing and I think he'll be able to do it at Michigan too," he said to Scout. "It's going to take some time, but I think they'll be great."
The next test for each of Oku's suitors will come during his official visits in the fall. At that point he will be able to better determine how they fit his strict criteria.
"You don't want to go where they have seven or eight running backs," Oku explained. "I don't want to go a place where most likely in my first year I'm going to redshirt. I want to get in, compete.
"I don't care where it is as long as it fits me. My mom already said she wants me to see other parts of the world. She's been in 48 states so she has seen other stuff. She said she can't make my decision for me, but she wants me to get out of Oklahoma and really look at everything closely."
Running hot or cold
For Oku's mother, Denise Moore, the benefit of his leaving the state is but one of the important factors she continually stresses.
Said Moore, "I always tell him that the academic part counts before the athletic part. You've got to find a school that you're going to feel comfortable in and is going to give you the kind of education you desire because you never know what's going on in football. You're playing today and you could be hurt tomorrow. You've got to finish out your education and get your degree. That's should be his main focus."
With Michigan and Illinois on the list, a few of the other contenders will undoubtedly try to make weather an issue. Such efforts, however, won't get very far.
"I think David will be fine whether it's warm or cold," Moore said. "He is used to playing in the cold. We get snow down here in Oklahoma. He used to go outside and play football in the snow."
The decision on whether Oku will opt go to college in a climate where snow-covered turf is a possibility is still months away.
"I'd like to announce my choice on my birthday, which is October 10th," he said. "If I don't do it then, I will most likely announce sometime in early November."
