Update on Underrated OT Tristan Hill

Last week in our “Underrated” series we featured Mustang OK HS offensive tackle, Tristan Hill. Here was our post about him: https://thefootballbrainiacs.com/?p=2059

We just wanted to update you on how things have gone since we ran our piece. Tristan has now received offers from a few division 1-AA programs. But we are convinced he is a BCS level player and is the type of the player that down the road will test well at the combine. Since it is the dead period and its the holidays with bowl games, recruiting is a little slow right now but we believe his recruiting will really pick up in January.

We are happy to say though that at least one BCS school is interested. NC State has let Tristan’s camp know that they like what they see on film and will be visiting Mustang after the dead period. Usually that means they just want to make sure he passes the eye test (and he will – he is every bit of 6’5 and more with long arms) but we’ll have to wait and see. Cincinnati has also expressed interest but again because of the dead period schools are very limited in how they can communicate with a player. But we are happy to say that a couple schools are already showing interest and we believe the BCS offer will come.

I have contended for a long time that Oklahoma HS talent is underrated and I know a lot of you Okies feel the same way. I’m dead set on proving it to the rest of the country. So much of recruiting is about exposure and we need conduits to get our local kids more exposure and help recruiters from outside the state understand that there is talent in this state that they need to look at. Tristan Hill and of course Papi White are just two examples of that kind of talent.

We will keep you updated.

 

36 Comments

  • Gary Jackson says:

    Is he on the Sooners radar?

  • dahldennsull says:

    If we close our class strong I can’t complain, but with our tackle numbers, if we are vaguely intrigued by this kid, not sure why we wouldn’t take him and see what he turns out to be with solid coaching and some time in the weight room. Not like we have a ton of HS tackles on the roster right now.

    • Gregor says:

      Agreed. He seems to have the frame and the upside. Potential can be a wicked mistress, but why not take a chance on a local guy? We might be in on so many elite tackles that we want to push those ‘ships to next year, but at the normal rate of attrition on the OL is it a big risk?

      • JY says:

        I think if you have a guy who fits the bill then you sign em up. We’ll find out a lot more as the smoke clears after the dead period’s over.

        • Gregor says:

          True. Why do you suppose that the state schools are slow on him? I know that much of recruiting is about exposure, but you would think that after we struck out on some national targets that we would circle back around on the in-state guys with promise.

          • JY says:

            That’s the mystery of all this. He’s got good grades. Plays at 6A Mustang, and his senior film is comical in what he does to the opposition. It literally makes you talk to yourself. Guy’s a heck of a player.

          • Gregor says:

            As a Mustang grad(from way back), I am totally rooting for the kid!

    • CoachStauder says:

      I would at least ask him to walk on. I mean, this is the same team that gave a scholarship to Christian Daimler last season…

  • Brian says:

    This kid should at least already have a preferred walk-on offer from us.

    • Jordan Esco says:

      Probably not telling you anything you don’t already know, but w/ that type of deal you’d have to consider the family’s financial situation. Even a partial scholarship can go a long way towards helping mitigate the expense of a college tuition. So a walk-on, having to pay their own way, just isn’t always realistic for some kids.

      • JY says:

        Tristan’s great academically too, so I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to get a kid from down the street who is a hard worker and makes great grades. All of that aside, the guy can play.

    • JY says:

      He’s better than a walk on. This guy can flat out play.

      • Brian says:

        I agree but just saying at the very least, that should already be on the table. And if the Sooners miss on other targets, an offer could potentially come. So much attrition at the position, we need depth!

        • JY says:

          I’m not sure, but I think it is on the table already. As Jordan pointed out below, some kids can’t afford to go to college without scholarships. My family was like that. That’s how I ended up at Missouri Southern. Got an academic scholarship and partial athletic.

  • Jake says:

    Awesome news!!

  • Leroy Jenkins says:

    Good programs should find the best talent in their own state and sign them, then go elsewhere. That announcer the other day for the K-State game must’ve said “Tyler Lockett, Tulsa, OK native” about 30 times, drove me nuts that he’s at K-State (I know his dad and brother were great there…but still). We should at least offer this kid, and if we don’t at least he’s now getting some D-1 attention.

    • Indy_sooner says:

      I thought the same thing. I wondered whether Lockett’s case was a “thanks but no thanks” deal (With his dad and uncle playing at KSU). Tulsa, OU and OSU did not offer him.
      We opted instead, for as Kameel Jackson and Metoyer….hindsight is 20-20 but still…smh

  • CoachStauder says:

    Hope the kid lands some offers! Surely at least TU will come knocking? If not they are crazy.

    Side note: Jordan Sims is reportedly visiting OU! JY, get on this RIGHT NOW. Give me some info on this thoroughbred! lol

  • hOUligan says:

    Has the length, the athleticism and the feet. The rest can be coached. Those can’t. And he will make huge gains with a couple of years in the OU S&C program. OU’s cupboard is bare on OTs. Is Coach Bede aware of this kid/watched the film? If he is as good as other recent OU offers (Ward), cannot for the life of me see not offering.

  • AlexOU says:

    Does he look as good or better than Farniok looked coming outta HS? He was pretty lanky if I remember right. If so….get him. Provided we aren’t really in better position on some OT’s that we are aware of.

    • JY says:

      He’s got top notch athleticism at the tackle spot. Farniok has elite size while Tristan has good size for the position, he has elite athleticism and nastiness. Needs to gain some weight and strength in the lower body, but that’ll come.

  • Indy_sooner says:

    Unless the coaches know something about the OT situation and are holding out for something, I would say that with the OT issues we are having this dude is a no-brainer. I think his dad said that Heupel had talked to Hill.
    That being said, we have pulled kids in that were not even on our radar at the last minute and have them pan out quite well.

  • blaster1371 says:

    There is no way a son of mine would play for Tuberville! OU must think they have some other prospects that they have a good chance of getting if they are not looking much in this kid’s way. OU is going to be hurting for O-linemen for the 2015 season, they need solid recruits this signing cycle.

  • Brian says:

    Who else is on OU’s radar after Frison? Obviously, this kid should be…

  • Shelby is a Patriot says:

    I hate every minute that we don’t have this kid. Hopefully we’ll offer him.

  • Jason Mtherfther Hill says:

    Thanks again men for the exposure. Even the day after we were getting calls from Florida,Louisiana,Kentucky- OU will miss out on a Great Football player if they dont get their bid in. I’d rather see my boy stay here and play. We’ll see what happens after the dead period!

    • JY says:

      No problem J. I Dm’d Tristan on twitter and told him to hang in there. As soon as the dead period is over, man stuff may get crazy for you guys. I was the first in my family to get recruited, and with no experience at it and no one around me who had any, I didn’t listen to my heart. Make sure Tristan goes where he wants to. He’s gonna have to be there for the next four-five years plus with the alumni association after he gets his degree. It means a lot to employers saying I went here or went there. Still I think that all of the Big 12 schools and many others are missing out if they don’t offer this guy. I love Tristan’s game. We’re going to keep highlighting him until the ink is dry. Be blessed.

    • Buck Irwin says:

      Jason, we should talk.

      • Jason Mtherfther Hill says:

        Shoot me a message Mr.Irwin, I’d be happy to speak with you. My cell is 405-919-8565.