Tennessee received a late addition to its 2009 signing class when running back David Oku signed with the Vols on Thursday.
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Oku originally committed to UT in October but reopened his recruitment in January.
Oku then took official visits to Syracuse and Auburn and elected not to sign with a school on National Signing Day on Feb. 4.
Oku said he decided to sign with UT because of his comfort level with the Vols and the presence of junior wide receiver Gerald Jones, who attended Millwood High School in Oklahoma City, Okla.
“That just basically was where I felt at home,” Oku said. “Me being from Oklahoma and knowing Gerald as much as I do and being like family to each other made it even easier.”
Oku attended Carl Albert High in Midwest City, Okla., until last month when he transferred to Lincoln (Neb.) East.
Oku told the News Sentinel at the time that he made the move in order to take more classes to improve his grade point average in order to ensure he is eligible for college athletics.
Oku said “family problems” in Oklahoma also influenced his decision to finish high school in Lincoln.
Oku is the 21st signee for UT’s 2009 class, but the Vols might not be done.
Tight end Orson Charles from Plant High School in Tampa, Fla., is expected to choose among offers from UT, Georgia and Southern Cal today.
Charles visited UT on Jan. 30.
The Vols have also remained in the picture for running back Bryce Brown from East Wichita (Kan.) High.
Brown is also considering LSU, Oregon, USC and Miami.
Some people speculated that Oku was waiting to find out which school Brown would choose.
The thought was Oku would only sign with UT if Brown signed elsewhere.
Oku said that was never the case.
“That’s got nothing to do with it,” Oku said. “I’ve actually talked to Bryce about coming to Tennessee, too.
“If he comes, cool. If not, alright then. We’re real good friends.”
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 289
BillsBrother writes:
We love this kid now!
hodocka writes:
Let's hope his grades are good enough to stay in school!
UTandETSUfan writes:
nice call!
memphis_vol_fan writes:
Basketball team whips @ss and we pick up a late signee for football....IT'S GREAT TO BE A TENNESSEE VOL!!!
golfballs03 writes:
booyah
elizabethtonvol72 writes:
Welcome David! Glad to have you aboard.
RJ_Vol writes:
Wonder what our recruiting class is ranked now Higgins?
thsvolfan15 writes:
where did this come from???
10uhsea writes:
bout time
golfballs03 writes:
i wonder what this means for Brown? They both said they would go to the same school... the only school that both were considering is Tennessee
1manningfan writes:
Whatever dude oku, prove it to me and I will accept your delay. Goodluck competing against Creer
knoxvegas75 writes:
WOOT, Yeah Way to go Oku good choice u will be proud to be a vol!! good job CLK, now turn the focus to Charles.
tennesseebee writes:
school transfer paid off-he's way smarter already!
RoadTrip writes:
Love to see this kid with some space to run while leaving jockstraps all over the field. Nuke and Oku on the field at the same time is going to be wild!
This ride with Kiff is going to be great fun. Glory days are arriving again - better than ever!
Scott410ec writes:
The Vol recruiting powerhouse has finally struck the big note. Now watch for alot more talent to follow. This is just the begining guys and gals. Vol Nation is going to rise with a vengance.
TommyJack writes:
Let's give it up for UTFan4life. Da man!
trivol writes:
It's about time! Welcome to Knoxville.
VAvolfanRON writes:
Nice Oku....looking good in Orange..
Laydbakvol writes:
Now it gets interesting.
huntined#565710 writes:
Got to hand it to you..you stuck with this all along.>>>
YOU has ole oku in your pocket all the time
THAT WAS JUST A GOOD CALL!!
THANKS for taking all the hits over this!!
VAvolfanRON writes:
UTFan4life..i gave you credit on the other board...slso...werent you the one to predict a vol victory over Fla 79-75?..and it ended up 79-77?
TooLegit2Quit writes:
What a night!
tnbigg writes:
Hear! Hear! Gotta' go...keep the Faith guys! It's coming together! I'm really hoping that moaninglikewhatever will assess this for us. Us simpletons needs enlightened views...
murrayvol writes:
Well played BB.
Ironcity writes:
You da man and so is Oku!
GahLee writes:
Don't think that Brown will be attending here, we only have an Adidas contract,lol.
acolvol#632266 writes:
I knowed it, knowed it. Indeed I knowed it Brother.
I knowed it Brother, wo, them VOLS goin' to roll again.
elizabethtonvol72 writes:
Could'nt have said it better myself!! Love that post!! LOL!!
yeavols#228407 writes:
I found Gatorzz getting ready for spring break..preparing for his JORTS..check it out..He found a new product called NAIR..it gets rid of hair. Remember that?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOxpRo...
Ironcity writes:
Nice!
Down_The_Field writes:
.....hand off, oku......stutter step left....cuts right.....breaks a tackle at the 28....spin move at the 15........STILL on his feet......tim, what a move on the free safety......it's a race to........the......checker board.....
TOUCHDOWN.......BIG ORANGE!!!
jcherrie#219531 writes:
UTfan4life you're either very connected or very lucky!
Anyway you get to flip the metaphorical bird to everyone that told you to shut up whenever you said "Oku will be a Vol!"
GerryOP writes:
184 -- Fear The Kiffin...
GiveHimSix1387 writes:
From what I hear he went to Nebraska to be with his girlfriend not because of grade problems. I heard his academics were never in question.
Volumni writes:
There is more to this story than we've heard so far, IMO.
UTDeWayne writes:
Welcome to Knoxville! This is a great signing. Go Big Orange!
GahLee writes:
And I thought that I was excited. Go Vols!!!
bigorangefan79 writes:
PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!
huntined#565710 writes:
I hear he had a headache and his girlfriend gave him two SMART PILLS
GahLee writes:
A little much, but I like the enthusiasm.
golfballs03 writes:
Possibly the next Travis Stephens?
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
OKEMO say
welcome brother Oku
OKEMO has spoken
golfballs03 writes:
haha
murrayvol writes:
You made the call UTfan....over and over again until Oku listened.
Nice pick on the SC game as well but you missed the spread. :)
ballewville6 writes:
good to finally get oku now tommorro we need to sign charles and maby brown will sign with us to have some compitition knowing we lost our starting tailback and a freshman could start brown is number 1 overall prospect and back but oku is number 1 all purpose back could be some great competition
tripper writes:
I smell a TRIFECTA !!!
GahLee writes:
Who starts next year? Hardesty, Creer, or Poole? This kid will no doubt see the field early but I can't imagine him being a starter at any point. We once again have a stable of backs.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
If Charles would commit, that would make a good week wouldn't it. Would put UT in top 10-12
huntined#565710 writes:
maybe tomorrow we get C-H-A-R-L-E-S now that would be nice--- talk to me utfan4life...do we get him???
Slystone writes:
Props to you cause you been preaching he was coming... we're not worthy...we're not worthy,lol.
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