OU-TX recruiting: The Peterson Effect

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Part of the recruiting lore of the Red River Rivalry between Oklahoma and Texas is the Adrian Peterson Effect. Yes, Oklahoma has the even-year designation of having the annual neutral field matchup so the Sooners get to distribute passes to nearly three dozen prized recruits. But the magic of OU-TX doesn't always work out well for the home team, because it's just as easy for a player to see the opponent with just as many fans and just as much support.
Back in 2003, Peterson was a highly recruited running back from Palestine, TX. which the Longhorns invited to come up for a nice second-Saturday in October at the State Fair. If you don't remember, 2003 is 65-13.
Peterson watched the No. 1-ranked Sooners roll past the Longhorns for a fourth-consecutive win in the century-old rivalry. Peterson told Texas thanks for the tickets and later committed to Oklahoma.

For 2012, Oklahoma will have its celebrity recruits from North Texas on board. Colleyville Heritage quarterback Cody Thomas and Jesuit linebacker Jordan Mastrogiovanni already have committed to the Sooners and will be among nearly a dozen commitments. Oklahoma assistant Tim Kish was at Jesuit two weeks ago for a game against Skyline conspicuously watching his future linebacker from the sidelines.

The Sooners must wait out the Dylan Bundy-Archie Bradley Factor with the 6-5 Thomas, also a top baseball prospect. The positive perspective for OU is that Thomas isn't a pitcher. He's a hard-hitting, left-handed (right-throwing) outfielder, but those aren't near the premium of pitchers. But losing a top athlete to pro baseball can have an impact. Nebraska once unexpectedly lost Carl Crawford out of Houston and the impact last on the Huskers' depth chart for several seasons. Oklahoma signed Bundy (who made it up to the Orioles this season) and Bradly knowing the in-state duo would like go in the Top 10 of the major league draft and never set foot in The Gaylord Family-Memorial Stadium.

 West Mesquite defensive end Dimarya Mixon has committed to Arizona State, but your intrepid reporter was on the sidelines for the West Mesquite spring scrimmage when Mike Stoops was calling Bob in the end zone and imploring the Sooners to offer Mixon, who is trying to be respectful of his Arizona State commit but expect a switch after getting an afternoon full of OU-TX.

Oklahoma is wooing Kimball defensive tackle Justin Manning, who had considered making an LSU trip this weekend. Presetonwood Christian linebacker Mike Mitchell also has an invitation. Mickey Mitchell of the Class of 2015 is the only known sophomore to have gotten an invite. The Sooners, along with everyone else, are high on the 6-7, lefty who also is one of the nation’s top point guard (yes, point guard) in the country with Kentucky and Kansas in hot pursuit.

Oklahoma has several top North Texas juniors in attendance and nearly all are interested in the Longhorns as well. Hebron DB Jamal Adams (son of former Cowboys George Adams) will be there as well as. Oklahoma guests will include Coppell DE Solomon Thomas, Bishop Dunne DB Nick Watkins, Mount Pleasant WR K.D. Cannon, Skyline offensive lineman Ty Barrett, Carter linebacker Cameron Hampton and Mansfield Timberview DB Ed Paris, with all having strong Longhorns interest as well. Lancaster teammates Nick Harvey and Nick Alexander will represent WEBO _ We Believe in Orange. They’re key factors in Lancaster’s rising state playoff expectations, but Harvey also has been known to sport a lot of Oklahoma laundry in Lancaster.

Arlington Martin DE Myles Garrett is my pick for the most likely NFL first-rounder out of the group. Garrett has strong interest in OU and Texas but Texas A&M is a factor with his sister running track for the Aggies. Fort Worth All Saints lineman Demetrius Knox will also be representing All Saints, which already has a UT commitment with FB Daniel Gresham and the only private school in North Texas which could come close to hanging with Prestonwood Christian.