Taylor McNamara commits to Oklahoma

Tight end Taylor McNamara (San Diego/Westview) prayed about his college decision Tuesday night and talked about it with his parents.

By Wednesday, the four-star recruit knew Oklahoma was where he wanted to be. McNamara verbally committed to the Sooners, giving OU its 19th member of the class of 2012.

McNamara said Monday the decision was down to Oklahoma and Colorado, and in the end, it was the winning tradition that is bringing McNamara to Norman, Okla.

"I love the coaching staff, love the tradition, and at OU, they win championships," McNamara said. "It's really the perfect fit in every way possible for me. Everything I want to do in college, I can do at OU."

McNamara said he called tight ends coach Bruce Kittle first and then called head coach Bob Stoops. He said they were both very happy because they were getting nervous because they knew McNamara had a deadline that was approaching quickly.

No matter where McNamara chose, he was going to step foot on campus in the next two weeks as he said he still plans to enroll early.

It has been the perfect storm that helped bring McNamara, a former Arizona commit, to the Sooners. First, the Wildcats fired former coach Mike Stoops, which led to McNamara to start looking around.

Then the tight end situation at OU became wide open with Austin Haywood leaving the team and a pectoral injury to Max Stevenson that is going to force him to end his career. Just like that, Oklahoma enters 2012 with no returning tight ends and all options open.

Junior college tight end Brannon Green (Altamont, Kan./Fort Scott CC) has signed with OU and the Sooners have the verbal commit of Laith Harlow (Tallahassee, Fla/Godby). But both of those tight ends are more known for their physicality and run blocking.

With McNamara, ranked the No. 9 tight end, OU once again has a tight end that can stretch the field. McNamara, 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, took his official visit to OU two weeks ago, the same time as Green. The duo is already talking about it.

"Brody [Eldridge] and Jermaine [Gresham] -- that's the kind of tandem we can be," McNamara said.
Eldridge was a powerful run blocker, while Gresham was among the best receiving tight ends in college football when he played for the Sooners.

One thing that didn't play a role at all was how intense OU has been on the tight end recruiting trail the last couple of weeks. The Sooners have taken a look at Sean Price, the No. 4-ranked tight end and South Florida commit. OU has also offered Sam Grant (Lakewood, Ohio/St. Edward) last week and Grant is expected to visit OU next weekend.

"I'm not a cocky kid, but I am confident so that didn't matter to me," McNamara said. "We really need tight ends so that's not a big deal. Bring in more if it will make the team better."

Even though OU has a loaded wide receiver group coming in, he said he is not worried about getting lost in the shuffle. McNamara said it's up to him to make the most of the opportunity, and that's exactly what he plans on doing.

McNamara had nothing but good things to say about the Colorado coaching staff but said, "I want to remember my college career as a winning one. I wouldn't win as many games at Colorado."