EDMOND — The first day of the February college football signing period saw Edmond Santa Fe High School defensive end Michael Onuoha sign with the Oklahoma Sooners, and the University of Central Oklahoma release the list of the newest Bronchos.

Onuoha put up 87 tackles, six sacks, eight tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hurries for a Wolves team that went 10-2 and advanced to the state quarterfinals.

The former Santa Fe basketball standout chose OU over the University of Missouri. After missing his junior football season to injury and starting for a Wolves basketball team that went to the state semifinals, Onuoha chose to focus on football his senior year.



UCO signs 17 in-state; Navarro College QB, former Memorial star transfer

New Central Oklahoma football coach Nick Bobeck had less than a month to put together a recruiting class after taking over the helm on Jan. 4, but the former Broncho standout was pleased with the results.

UCO inked 17 Oklahoma high school standouts to letters of intent on the first day of the national signing period Wednesday and also released the names of two junior college transfers who are already on campus.

“We’re very excited about the number of kids that we signed, we hit our number on the dot,” said Bobeck, who  played at UCO from 1999-02 and went 42-5 with a national championship during a spectacular four-year stay at Navarro (Texas) College.  “We’re also very excited about the quality and felt we addressed some key issues for us.  One thing we thought we needed in this class was getting some tight end and h-back type bodies as well as some offensive and defensive linemen and we were able to sign some.

“We’ll add players probably through the spring and into the summer.  There are several kids who have contacted us about coming to UCO and hopefully we can get those kids finalized.”

The Bronchos signed four Oklahoma Coaches Association All-Staters in Douglass linebacker Jas’sen Stoner, Duncan defensive back Jared Griffin, Jones wide receiver Tylor Seabolt and Catoosa offensive lineman Montana Poorboy.

UCO also gained two standout juco transfers in quarterback Adrian Nelson of Navarro and linebacker Adrian Shoecraft of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.  Nelson passed for a school-record 3,754 yards and 33 touchdowns in leading Bobeck’s Navarro team to a 10-2 record and conference title last fall, while Shoecraft had a conference-leading 99 tackles.

Two junior college transfers also joined the team at the semester break and are currently on campus. Here’s a brief look at each signee along with the two transfers.

The newest Bronchos are:

• Garrett Baker LB 6-1, 210, Morris. Baker was an Oklahoma Coaches Association Class 2A all-star and an all-district pick last fall at Morris High School. Racked up 147 tackles with 11 sacks last season after collecting 137 tackles and 13 sacks as a junior.

• Carlos Bustillos DE 6-2, 235, Enid. Bustillos had 99 tackles (66 solo) with eight sacks as a senior for the Plainsmen. He was born in Hawaii and has also lettered in wrestling.

• T.J. Eckert QB 6-0, 190, Bixby. Eckert was a four-year letterman and an Oklahoma Coaches Association Class 6A all-star pick as a senior at Bixby High School. He completed 198-of-362 passes for 2,628 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior to lead the Spartans to the Class 6A playoffs. He passed for 5,616 yards and 56 TDs in his career, hitting 407-of-716 attempts. He was also a three-time all-district pick in baseball.

• Micah Goodman OL 6-4, 285, Medford. Goodman was an eight-man all-star selection as a senior at Medford High School, earning all-district C-3 honors his last two years. He was also an all-conference pick in baseball last spring.

• Jared Griffin DB 6-2, 170, Duncan. Griffin was the District 5A-2 Player of the Year and an Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State selection at defensive back. He led Duncan High School to the Class 5A playoffs last fall. He caught 24 passes for 487 yards and four TDs. He also a two-time team MVP in basketball.

• Brandon McCollough OL 6-5, 270, Claremore. McCollough gained all-district recognition last season at Claremore High School. He helped lead the Zebras to a pair of playoff appearances.

• Luke Owens LB 6-1, 220, Sand Springs. Owens earned all-district honors at running back as a senior at Charles Page High School. He was a two-year team captain who finished with 212 career tackles. He has also lettered in soccer and wrestling.

• Montana Poorboy OL 6-4, 295, Catoosa. Poorboy was an Oklahoma Coaches Association and Tulsa World All-State selection as a senior at Catoosa High School. He helped lead the Indians to the state semifinals last fall. He has also lettered in baseball, basketball and track.

• Connor Pulley TE/HB 6-4, 195, Newkirk. Pulley was  the Most Valuable Player in District 2A-7 last season after leading Newkirk High School to the state playoffs. He finished his stellar prep career with 110 catches for 2,166 yards and 26 touchdowns while also rushing for 547 yards and 10 scores. He helped lead the Tigers to their first-ever state tournament appearance in baseball last spring and is also a basketball letterman.

• Marc Robinson LB 6-0, 220, Millwood. Robinson was all-district and an Oklahoman second-team all-state honoree as a senior at perennial power Millwood High School. He helped lead the Falcons to the Class 2A state semifinals in 2011. He has also lettered in basketball, track and soccer.

• Tylor Seabolt WR 6-1, 190, Jones. Seabolt was an Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State selection in 2011 after hauling in 68 passes for 1,213 yards and 17 touchdowns in guiding Jones High School to a Class 2A state runner-up finish. He was District Offensive Player of the Year and an Oklahoman Little All-City pick as well. He caught a 33-yard TD pass in the state finals loss.

• Clint Simek  TE/HB 6-2, 210, Guthrie. Simek helped Guthrie High School to the Class 5A state championship as a senior last fall.

• Jacob Space TE/HB 6-3, 220, Catoosa. Space caught 18 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns as a senior at Catoosa High School in 2011 in helping lead the Indians to the Class 4A state semifinals.

• Jas’sen Stoner LB 6-0, 205, Oklahoma City (Douglass). Stoner was an Oklahoma Coaches Association All-Stater at Douglass High School last fall after finishing with 128 tackles, two sacks and two passes broken up. He was also named District 4A-2 Linebacker of the Year and Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He helped lead the Trojans to four straight Class 4A state playoff appearances, including the 2010 state championship. He finished his career with 308 tackles and six sacks.

• Chase Talbert ATH 5-11, 200, Claremore. Talbert was a two-way starter at Claremore High School. He rushed for 2,630 yards and 30 TDs during his career with the Zebras. He was an honorable mention all-stater as a senior. He was a two-time Fox 23/Vype Magazine Player of the Week pick.

• Jacob Warner LB 5-11, 205, Lawton (MacArthur). Warner was a three-year starter at Class 5A power MacArthur High School, leading the Highlanders to a state runner-up finish last fall in earning all-district honors. He had 185 tackles and four interceptions for his career. He was also a two-time state qualifier in tennis. His older brother Dylan was a part-time starter in the secondary in 2011.

• Isaac Whitney WR 6-3, 180, Moore (Southmoore). Whitney was a wide receiver-defensive back starter at Southmoore, earning All-District 6A-3 accolades at receiver last season. He also was a track standout for the Jaguars.

Juco transfers

• Adrian Nelson QB 6-4, 230, Houston, Texas (Bellaire)/Navarro College (Texas). Nelson completed a school-record 263 passes in 412 attempts (63.8 percent) for a school-record 3,754 yards — fifth-best in juco — and a school-record 33 TDs in 2011 to lead Navarro College to a 10-2 record. He was 27-of-41 for 271 yards and two TDs in 33-29 win over Tyler in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference title game last fall. He finished second in career completions (307), attempts (496), yards (4,362) and TDs (39) at Navarro.

• Adrian Shoecraft LB 5-10, 225, Edmond (Memorial)/Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. Shoecraft led the Southwest Junior College Football Conference in tackles for the second straight season in 2011 with 99 to earn first-team All-SWJCFC honors. He also had five pass break ups and two interceptions. He made 98 tackles as a freshman.



2012 OU signees

Daniel Brooks, ATH 5-10, 170, Port Lavaca, Texas (Calhoun HS)

Ty Darlington, OL 6-3, 275, Apopka, Fla. (Apopka HS)

*Kass Everett, CB 5-11, 195, Philadelphia, Pa. (Pierce College)

Courtney Gardner, WR 6-3, 215, Reno, Nev. (Sierra College)

Sam Grant TE 6-6, 240, North Royalton, Ohio (St. Edward HS)

*Brannon Green TE 6-4, 260, Altamont, Kan. (Fort Scott CC)

Trevor Knight QB 6-3, 200, San Antonio, Texas (Reagan HS)

Will Latu OT 6-5. 315, St. Petersburg, Fla. (College of the Canyons)

Kyle Marrs OL 6-6, 317, San Antonio, Texas (Brandeis HS)

John Michael McGee OG 6-4, 275, Texarkana, Texas (Texas HS)

*Taylor McNamara TE 6-5, 235, San Diego, Calif. (Westview HS)

*Trey Metoyer WR 6-2, 198, Whitehouse, Texas (Hargrave Academy)

Durron Neal WR 6-1, 195, St. Louis, Mo. (De Smet Jesuit HS)

*Chaz Nelson DE 6-3, 240, Columbus, Ohio (Garden City CC)

Mike Onuoha DE 6-7, 230, Edmond (Santa Fe HS)

Alex Ross RB 6-1, 205, Jenks (Jenks HS)

Zack Sanchez CB 6-0, 172, Keller, Texas (Central HS)

Sterling Shepard WR 5-11, 185, Oklahoma City (Heritage Hall HS)

Gary Simon CB 6-1, 180, St. Petersburg, Fla. (Gibbs HS)

David Smith RB 6-1, 197, Midlothian, Ill. (Bremen HS)

Eric Striker LB 6-1, 195, Seffner, Fla. (Armwood HS)

Charles Tapper DE 6-4, 265, Baltimore, Md. (City College HS)

*Jordan Wade DL 6-4, 290, Round Rock, Texas (Stony Point HS)

Damien Williams RB 6-1, 215, San Diego, Calif. (Arizona Western College)

Derrick Woods WR 6-1, 185, Inglewood, Calif. (Inglewood HS)

* Enrolled already



2012 OSU signees

Calvin Barnett* DT 6-2, 299, Tulsa (Washington/Navarro CC)    

Greg Brantley OL 6-6, 310, Carthage, Texas (Carthage)    

Trace Clark DE 6-4, 245, Wichita, Kan. (Collegiate School)    

C.J. Curry WR 6-2, 185, Flowery Branch, Ga. (Flowery Branch)    

Eric Davis DE 6-3, 250, Tyler, Texas (John Tyler)    

Chris Grisbhy OL 6-5, 315, Clute, Texas (Brazoswood/Blinn CC)    

Victor Irokansi DE 6-3, 240, Pflugerville, Texas (Hendrickson)    

Blake Jackson* TE    6-3, 220, Gilbert, Ariz. (Gilbert/Scottsdale CC)    

Ashton Lampkin DB 5-11, 175, Arlington, Texas (Dunbar)    

Paul Lewis OL 6-3, 290, Houston, Texas (Galena Park North Shore)    

Wes Lunt* QB 6-4, 200, Rochester, Ill. (Rochester)    

Caleb Muncrief RB 5-8, 180 Madill (Madill)    

Emmanuel Ogbah DE 6-4, 240,    Houston, Texas (George Bush)    

Kevin Peterson DB 5-11, 170, Wagoner (Wagoner)    

Dominic Ramacher    Ath 6-3, 230, Denton, Texas (Guyer)    

Jhajuan Seales WR 6-2, 180, Port Arthur, Texas (Memorial)    

Brandon Sheperd WR 6-1, 195, Creve Coeur, Mo. (Parkway Central)    

Jeremiah Tshimanga* LB 6-2, 226, North Richland Hills, Texas (Richland)    

Zac Veatch    TE/OL 6-4, 255, Broken Arrow (Broken Arrow)    

Jesse Vester Ath 5-9, 195, Stillwater (Stillwater)    

Blake Webb    WR 5-11, 190,  The Woodlands, Texas (The Woodlands)    

Michael Wilson OL 6-6, 275, Aledo, Texas (Aledo)



THE UNIVERSITY of Central Oklahoma Athletic Department contributed to this report.