By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
A Minute with David Oku
If you name any major college football program, odds are they were pursuing the services of Carl Albert (Midwest City, Okla.) running back David Oku.
Think of a smaller version of Reggie Bush. In the blink of an eye when he gets his hands on the football, Oku can change the game going from hand-off to paydirt in warp speed.
Oku has narrowed his list of choices to Tennessee, Louisville, Nebraska and Michigan.
The pride of Oku’s native Oklahoma from Norman even came calling. Oku said thanks, but no thanks.
After his Titans were shockingly throttled in the season-opener against Tulsa Washington 40-7, Oku and Carl Albert have gone from one of the preseason favorites to flying off the radar. That was until a statement victory over Shawnee on Oct. 3.
Carl Albert has won nine state championships in its illustrious history, all since 1989. Only one time during its dominant run of titles has Carl Albert finished unbeaten.
Oku came under fire earlier this season for some comments made to the Oklahoman, the top newspaper in the Sooner State.
Oku told the Oklahoman, “The recruiting game is a business and you have to treat it like a business.”
For those who know Oku, his comments should not have been construed as cockiness. Consider it a confidence in his abilities.
Oku came into the limelight as a freshman after rushing for 807 yards and six touchdowns. As a sophomore, Oku rushed for 1,462 yards and 19 scores for the Class 5A state champions.
Then in 2007 as a junior, a 299-yard outburst in the season-opener was the highlight of his season. Oku suffered an ankle injury that hobbled him after his 299-yard effort. Carl Albert lost to Bixby in the Class 5A state quarterfinals. For the year, Oku rushed for 1,628 yards and 20 touchdowns in just 11 games.
After a 27-14 victory over Shawnee, Oku had just rushed for 151 tough yards on 36 carries that would make a bruising fullback proud. Shawnee stuck nine players in the box all evening long and dared Carl Albert to throw. Instead, head coach Gary Rose pounded the rock with Oku.
Oku scored two touchdowns on runs of 26 and 34 yards in the first half. Oku did fumble twice in the second half, which was a slight concern.
“I came out cold in the second half for some reason. I need to work on my durability, especially with me getting ready to go onto the next level,” Oku said, who has rushed for 540 yards and nine touchdowns this season on 77 carries.
Oku is currently second in school history with 4,170 career rushing yards, just 480 yards away from the school record currently held by Jay Hunt, set in 1997. Oku has 54 rushing touchdowns in his career. His two scores against Shawnee moved Oku into second in school history, behind Hunt’s 67. Oku passed Mike Gaddis, a former Oklahoma running back that garnered first team All-Big 8 honors in 1991.
Wearing a Tennessee cap following his rough and tumble effort against the Wolves, Oku claimed that his college choice could be looming sooner rather than later.
“My Dad is coming back from Iraq in a week or so. Once he comes back, I will make my final decision,” Oku said.
Oku has been close friends with one of Tennessee’s leading wide receivers, sophomore Gerald Jones of Millwood High School in Oklahoma City.
If Tennessee is the choice, the Volunteers are getting instant offense. You sense Oku could be ready to play immediately in 2009, wherever the destination.
And whoever acquires his services will be getting a bright, confident young man that will likely become a household name very soon.
A Minute with Daytawion Lowe
Oku isn’t the only Carl Albert player receiving heavy interest from major college programs. Daytawion Lowe, a 6-foot, 170-pound safety, is another blue chip performer for the Titans.
Lowe has been in charge of patrolling the Carl Albert secondary since his sophomore season. Prior to the 2008 campaign, Lowe recorded 240 tackles, seven sacks, and four interceptions in two years as a starter for the Titans.
In five games this season, Lowe has 48 tackles and two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown against Shawnee in the fourth quarter as the Wolves were attempting to make a late comeback. Lowe also has a punt return for a touchdown this season.
Lowe oozes with potential and has a knack for finding the end zone after making a huge defensive play. During his interception return, Lowe displayed a second gear that is hard to find in defensive backs. He swiped a tipped ball out of the air on the right side of the field and then zigged and zagged 32 yards to paydirt, crossing the goal line near the left pylon.
“I was lucky to see the ball after it got tipped. I guess I want to thank whoever tipped it,” said Lowe with a smile after the game. The touchdown was Lowe’s eighth in his career despite not playing much offense.
Lowe was just fresh off a visit to Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., to watch Nebraska take on Virginia Tech. Lowe visited Nebraska with Oku.
“I loved it up there. I was really impressed with how Nebraska came back in the game,” said Lowe of the Huskers, who lost 35-30 after trailing 28-10.
Lowe is down to Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Missouri, and Texas Tech after receiving offers from a plethora of programs, including Pittsburgh, Stanford, and Oklahoma to name a few.
“I liked Nebraska a lot, but I also like Oklahoma State, Missouri, and Texas Tech,” said Lowe when asked about his situation.
Lowe, like his high school teammate, is a potential game-changer. At the current time he may be a little on the thin side. But don’t let the 170-pound frame fool you. When Lowe hits he can pack a wallop.
Scott Hansen: maxprepsok@sbcglobal.net