Oklahoma football recruiting: Texas’ QB poach results in higher-rated commitment for Sooners

In April, Oklahoma football recruiting lost a 2018 commitment to archrival Texas – the equivalent of blasphemy if you are a Sooner fan – and the stepped up recruiting efforts of new Longhorn head coach Tom Herman.

Cameron Rising, a four-star quarterback prospect from Newbury Park, Calif., had committed to the Sooners last August, but Herman and the Longhorns remained highly interested in Rising. After luring him to this year’s annual Orange-White spring game in Austin, Texas was able to flip Rising’s verbal commitment to the Sooners and have him commit to the Longhorn class of 2018 instead.

Losing any commitment to another program is bad enough, but to lose one to the Texas Longhorns is about as bad as it gets if you are a passionate fan of Oklahoma football.

As it turns out, Texas’ recruiting gain at the quarterback position, a position at which the Sooners are fairly well stocked for the next several seasons, could become a blessing in disguise for OU.

Last week, the Sooners earned a valued commitment from another four-star quarterback prospect, Tanner Mordecai, from Baylor’s backyard in Waco, Texas.

Mordecai reminds some college football recruiting experts of current Sooner quarterback Baker Mayfield. That’s pretty high praise for a senior-to-be in high school. The ESPN Recruiting 300 apparently likes what it sees in Mordecai, as well. He is ranked No, 149 in the current ESPN 300, 53 spots higher than Rising.

Mordecai becomes the eighth commitment to the Oklahoma 2018 recruiting class. He is one of three Sooner verbal commits in the ESPN 300 and one of five four-star recruits for 2018 OU has on board so far.

Here is how ESPN college football writer and recruiting insider Tom Luginbill described Mordecai:

"“Moredcai has a (Baker) Mayfield feel to him. He is a really good athlete. Nimble and savvy in everything he does, he is a thrower who can be used as a designated runner.“Mordecai has a quick, live arm with some zip, and throws well on the move (another reminder of Mayfield). He can create and extend plays while keeping his eyes downfield.”"

The Sooners’ new quarterback commitment will not have to be rushed into action once he arrives in Norman. With redshirt sophomore Kyler Murray, the Texas A&M transfer, expected to backfill Mayfield when his career at OU is done, Moredecai will have at least a couple of years to learn and develop under the Oklahoma system before much will be expected from him.