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McCoy makes home fans happy by picking Oklahoma
By Thayer Evans, Special to USA TODAY
When God spoke to Oklahoma City defensive tackle Gerald McCoy about his college future, McCoy listened.
Gerald McCoy was all smiles after picking the Sooners.
By Nate Billings, The Oklahoman via AP
"Really, I just asked him where he wanted me to be," McCoy said. "I said, 'You got me this far, so finish it off and show me where I need to go to school.' He led me to OU."
Wednesday, the University of Oklahoma benefited from the divine guidance USA TODAY's Defensive Player of the Year received, as he signed with the Sooners over Southern California before 650 of his fellow students at Southeast High's gym.
He had also considered LSU and Notre Dame but said he had known since two weeks ago that he would be attending Oklahoma.
"I felt it was the better place for me," McCoy said. "Me and (Oklahoma defensive line coach Jackie) Shipp have a good relationship. My parents can come watch me every game."
The 6-5, 285-pounder is ranked as the nation's top defensive player by Internet recruiting services Rivals.com and Scout.com. He had 80 tackles, 18 sacks and 11 forced fumbles during his senior season at Southeast.
"I love the way he moves," said Jamie Newberg, national recruiting analyst for Scout.com. "He's quick off the ball. I think the kid's got everything."
In announcing his choice, McCoy, dressed in a white shirt with gray stripes and dark blue jeans, made his decision by pulling an OU hat out of a bag and flashing the upside down Hook 'em 'Horns gesture, sparking wild cheers. He lives less than 20 miles from Norman and has attended camps at Oklahoma since he was a freshman.
Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables said McCoy has the potential to make an impact as a freshman.
"For a big guy, that's a rare thing," Venables said. "He's gifted from an athletic standpoint in a Tommie Harris type of mold in the way he's explosive, has a great first step and is aware. He's well ahead of his years in regards to his ability."
McCoy said Harris, a Pro Bowl selection this season who played at Oklahoma from 2001-03 and was a first-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 2004, mentored him during the recruiting process. He said the two met each other at a scrimmage at Oklahoma. "He didn't tell me nothing about Oklahoma because he wanted it to be a fair and even match with whoever it was between," McCoy said. "He just gave me tips on recruiting."
During trips to watch the Sooners men's basketball team host Texas Tech and Texas within the last month, OU students at both games serenaded McCoy with chants of "We want Gerald."
McCoy said he has high expectations. "I want to be a freshman All-American, win the Lombardi, win the Outland Trophy, win a national championship and go first round in the NFL draft," he said.
