The Latest On OU Cornerback Target, Tee Shepard
Posted on: January 14, 2014
If you’re on Twitter and you follow The Football Brainiacs account (and why wouldn’t you!), you probably saw the following tweet Monday night:
Can confirm that Tee Shepard is back in California but still unable to confirm where he is enrolled
— TheFootballBrainiacs (@TheFbBrainiacs) January 14, 2014
The mystery surrounding junior college cornerback Tee Shepard, a long time Sooners recruiting target, and the recent change in terms of his current status started to make its way around OU message boards earlier in the day. With the speculation quickly centering around whether or not Shepard was going to be a part of not just OU’s 2014 class, but whether or not he’d be a part of the 2014 class period.
Well, Shepard provided and answer to that very question Tuesday morning.
#NewsForTheDay : I will not sign next month. I will play my sophomore season at a Juco in California this season. #Midyear #2-2
— Tee Shepard™ (@TeeShepard1) January 14, 2014
The reasons for both his return to California and why he’ll now play another year of JUCO ball — thus becoming a part of the 2015 recruiting class — are not known at the moment so we’ll choose not to speculate, though rest assured the feelers have been put out.
While this is obviously disappointing news for both Shepard and OU, it also open up a potential spot for the Sooners to possibly take both of Juwan Dowels (Brainiacs eval) and Kendall Randolph (K’s thoughts on Randolph) rather than having to decide between one of the other. And of course don’t forget about Cornelius Floyd as well.
Back to Shepard though, one would have to think given all the leg work the OU coaches have already put in that should they choose to pursue him in the 2015 class their chances would be just as good as many believed them to be this year.
As discussed here last week, the number of spots remaining in OU’s 2014 class are filling up quickly so those that are remaining should be highly coveted.
21 Comments
Do you think Tee will ever play D1 ball? Seems like the kid is a good kid but may not have what it takes in the head to play D1 and put in the time in the class. Secondly, do we get both Dowels and Randolph? If you had to choose one which one would you take?
I don’t think Tee makes is at all personally, even if he did it would only be 1yr before he’d enter draft unless injured, even then only 1 yr of play. Unfortunately for all parties it is what it is. Wouldn’t be surprised to see coaches move on considering this fact. Sounds like kid is very talented, which would be nice, but for 1 yr?? At best?? Hard for me to make argument it’s worth all the work…for the 3rd time.
I watched both film. Like both Dowels and Randolph. IMO Randolph can safety if be. He’s bigger and a more physical tackler IMO but Dowels is a STUD. Mark it down Dowels will make big plays for someone in the future (hopefully OU). He’s a play maker!!. Need em both. Both really good players and can’t see letting either get away. Especially now that Shep is MIA.
When is Juwan coming in for a visit?
I think this weekend. With Dowels throw the star rankings, measurables out the window. Watch his film. Human Highlight reel. Kid is exsplosive and makes plays. He had to have had 8-10 INT”s on the film I watched. When the ball is in the air he gets it.
Again, what Sonny said. Dowels is expected in Norman this weekend.
That is great news. I was afraid of the 31st visit.
From what I read on another site Dowels will not visit till the 31st.
You could very well be right. I was operating off what I’d heard previously, but if things like this change all the time.
Looks to be cancelled?
He tweeted he is not coming to OU, but going to visit Syracuse. Syracuse? Yeah, Syracuse. Oh well. A post of the tweet is in the Parker article above this one. Everyone has probably already seen it though.
Maybe he just wants to see snow in person. 🙂
Does this change anything with Quick? I had heard they were a packaged deal.
Actually Quick is buddies with L.J. and Hatari as well as Shep. Fresno boys. Coach Mike has made quit an impression on those Players and coaches there. I can’t think of the coaches name there but If it was up to him I think he would pefer all his kids play for Mike. To say Mike and their HS coaches are tight is an understatement.
I don’t think Coach Mike gets enough credit as a recruiter. Obviously a h3ll of a coach but he can flat out recruit. I haven’t heard any kid who has played for Mike not just love the guy. And that’s saying something because he doesnt coddle kids. He will put a boot in your a$$ if needed.
I agree w/ Sonny. With Byrd, Moore, and Coach Viney I think OU is still in just as good of shape to land Quick.
Coach Vinney. Thanks Jordo his name had escaped me.
As much as it sucks now, this could end up in our favor for 2015. The young man clearly wanted to come to OU- TWICE in the last 2 years. Hopefully the coaches stay on him and now focus on bringing in the rest of the backfield crew.
On an unrelated note, there is sentiment on Brandon Glenn DT from Irving Tx not qualifying. Any info on that? I hate to speculate on things like these but the late breaking news on our commits and targets- first Todd and now Shepard are disconcerting. Guess the only way to tell is wait for the LOIs on NSD.
Let’s get Parker, Randolph and Dowels in here along with Quick and a solid OT and call it a recruiting class. Would LOVE to see OU pick up Jackson, but gotta believe he is staying on the West Coast.
And let’s just pick up Garnett for good measure this weekend as well.
He’s starting to look like a liability, let’s use our schollys on ready to go talent that can help us down the road.