Interesting tidbit on J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans......

[CTOkie]

Coming out of high school Watt was rated a TWO-star player (both by Scout and Rivals) and was not listed among the top TE's or defensive linemen.
He was recruited by Colorado, Minnesota and Central Michigan....and signed with Central Michigan. At CMU, he played TE until the coaches suggested moving him to offensive tackle. Watt then decided to leave and walk on at Wisconsin, where he redshirted his first year there in 2008....while winning the Badgers' scout team player of the year.
The rest is history.....including his hand in raising $37 million dollars for the relief fund of flood-ravaged Houston last year.
His rise from being an obscure prospect by the recruiting services is a graphic example of how much of an inexact science recruiting can be.

 

[veritas59]

Right on. Here's another example that hits a little closer to home.

LANE
JOHNSON

Zero Stars

RANK
N/A
6'5" | 202 LBS | PRO QB
GROVETON
GROVETON, TX
CLASS OF 2008
UNDECIDED

Lane Johnson
AP Images
As a recruit: Unranked as a quarterback prospect in the 2008 class, Johnson actually spent his first year of college at Kiglore College, a Texas JUCO, where he was identified by the Oklahoma staff as a tight end.

What he’s done: After playing tight end and defensive end with the Sooners he was eventually moved to offensive line, where he blossomed into a star. He went on to become a first-round pick of the Eagles in 2013 and had his best season as a pro in 2017, being named first team All-Pro.

Farrell’s take: "I have the perfect excuse for this one – Johnson was a quarterback when we evaluated him. That’s right: He was a tall and thin quarterback in high school who was very average and then went onto JUCO, where he emerged as a tight end and after a couple of years he moved to offensive tackle at Oklahoma. No one on Earth could have seen this one coming. It’s an amazing story."

 

[CTOkie]

Great post, V.
OU, as you know, signed two preferred walk-ons on January 18th.
Coby Tillman, a FB/LB....from Bixby.....a first team selection on the Oklahoman's All State team. He reminds me of Aaron Ripkowski (2011-2014) who turned down Navy to walk on at OU.
Karsten Mathis, a WR/DE.....from Wynnewood.
Their videos are impressive.
They may never become contributors, but it's good to see Riley trying to establish a productive walk-on program. How many high school boys in Oklahoma dream of playing for OU ?