Posted on Fri, Aug 12, 2011 : 9:14 p.m.
Former Michigan linebacker recruit Kellen Jones lands at Oklahoma
By AnnArbor.com Staff
Former Michigan football recruit Kellen Jones has enrolled at Oklahoma, according to multiple reports.
Jones, a four-star linebacker recruit from Houston, signed a letter of intent with Michigan in February but didn’t appear on the Wolverines roster released in late July.
When asked about Jones at the Big Ten media days, first-year Michigan coach Brady Hoke said only, “He’s just not enrolled at the school.”
Text messages from AnnArbor.com seeking comment from Jones and his father were not returned.
The Big 12 Blog on ESPN.com said Jones chose Oklahoma “largely because of the relationship he developed with Sooner defensive coordinator Brent Venables during the recruiting process.”
Comments
Tomg
Wed, Aug 17, 2011 : 3:42 a.m.
I think it is both unfair and presumptious to attack OU because a potential recruit who NEVER enrolled changed his mind and went to OU. As if this were the only kid who changed his mind...in fact OU lost a 4 star tight end who had enrolled but changed his mind and I did not see any comments that another institution "poached" OU. The young man is from Houston and Texas is a major recruiting area for the Big 12 with similar weather and many games within driving distance of his home town. As to running a clean program....when two OU starters (one a 5 star quarterback who was the starting Q-Back) were found guilty of taking money for a part time job they did not do--Stoops kicked them off less than a month before the season opener. I would contrast this with Ohio State's recent performance--I only say this because the comments would give the impression that the Big 10 is so superior. I am sure that Brady Hoke will bring back glory to the maize and blue without Kellen Jones as Bob Stoops will for the crimson and cream of OU without the young tight end who transferred.
1201SouthMain
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 2:06 p.m.
Tomg, Jones didn't "change his mind".
Captain Dave
Mon, Aug 15, 2011 : 6:35 p.m.
The standards for recruiting are so much higher as a rule in the Big 10 (except for one school in Ohio ) than the Big 12 or SEC where the win at all costs are prevalent like in the past at USC. Poor character players hurt the team rather than help them. Hopefully Ann Arbor will be a safer place with him gone.
Hailmary
Sun, Aug 14, 2011 : 7:55 p.m.
Kellen Jones is gone from the Wolverines like a puff of smoke or like someone who was never their to begin with.
D21
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 7:04 p.m.
This obviously shows a lack of moral integrity on the Sooners part. What about the poor (sexually assaulted) victim and hope she gets better.
tulsatom
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 2:43 p.m.
I'm not sure what to make of this. Not enough concrete info to go by. I know OU runs a good program and they suspend players for bad behavior, or at least they have in the past, like when one of its players was caught shoplifting before a bowl game and got sent home and couldn't play. Obviously, this kid wasn't "All in for Michigan" or else he would've stayed so chances are he would have been a disappointment for U-M anyway. It usally takes players a year or two to get acclimated to college ball so U-M should be all right without him with a great recruiting class coming up in 2012. Go Blue!
Lorain Steelmen
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 6:21 p.m.
Agreed, we only want players at Michigan, that WANT to be at Michigan. Otherwise, they just drag the program down, and use up scholarships for kids that want to be here.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 5:21 p.m.
One more scholarship for Hoke for the already outstanding 2012 class. Good Night and Good Luck
discgolfgeek
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 1:11 p.m.
Where does it say that Brady Hoke cut this guy? Looks to me like he preferred to stay closer to home more than anything else. Now his parents can go to the games.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 5:20 p.m.
It doesn't say that. It is a rumor, one being spread by the supporters of the former coach. Gee. Wonder why they would spread such a rumor? Good Night and Good Luck
semperveritas
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 12:17 p.m.
i don't know kellen jones or darryl stonum, but i do know it takes players to win. i don't like to lose players, and i hope that those of you who applaud brady hoke for his actions (whatever they are now) will remember that praise if his tenure doesn't go as we hope.
1st Down
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 12:36 p.m.
you dont think discipline and character is important?
Mick
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 7:15 a.m.
@tbf, I think I'm going to trust Hoke's decision for doing that instead of yours if you don't mind. Hoke is probably a little closer to the situation than you or I. Why would Hoke not accept the kid for no reason? Think about it for a minute. If Okla wants him, they can have him, we'll be fine.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Aug 14, 2011 : 2:35 a.m.
Nowhere does it say that he "was given the cold shoulder" by Hoke or by anyone else. Indeed, the article says "Jones chose Oklahoma 'largely because of the relationship he developed with Sooner defensive coordinator Brent Venables during the recruiting process.'" So you're making this up out of whole cloth. Good Night and Good Luck
truebluefan
Sun, Aug 14, 2011 : 1:39 a.m.
Mick -- I appreciate your viewpoint. And I agree that the program won't crumble. But I want to know why a talented LB with the academics to get into Michigan and who by all accounts wanted to be a Wolverine was given the cold shoulder. I think this is a fair question that Hoke should not dismiss.
Mick
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 6:44 p.m.
I don't condone DUI's, but if Jones did assault a young woman, how would you feel if that was your daughter or sister? The kid was supposedly a great kid, good student, grew up a U-M fan, etc., doesn't make sense to me either but just because it's not public record doesn't mean we can know everything. The program won't crumble because of this, have faith TBF.
truebluefan
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 3:53 p.m.
On one hand we have Darryl Stonum getting two DUI's, driving on a suspended licence, violating probation, etc, yet he gets the benefit of the doubt after being found guilty (several times) in a court of law. On the other hand we have a guy who hasn't been found guilty of anything and wants to be at Michigan, yet had the door at Schembechler Hall slammed in his face. It's not like Hoke or Brandon know something that we don't. If they know, we know. It's public record. You don't find this odd or even a bit unsettling?
1st Down
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 12:35 p.m.
Thanks Mick for having my back and actually making sense
truebluefan
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 4:40 a.m.
"Props to Coach Hoke for making a tough decision on cutting this player." Please educate me because I guess I didn't understand that rumors were the legal equivalent to "guilty as charged".
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Aug 14, 2011 : 1:46 a.m.
Yeah. It's getting through to me. But what I've concluded based on your posts will get this deleted. So I'll leave it at that. Good Night and Good Luck
truebluefan
Sun, Aug 14, 2011 : 1:36 a.m.
Murrow, I *just stated* that it is my opinion that Jones was booted out because of a "completely unverified rumor". Is any of this getting through to you?
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 6:54 p.m.
The wrong thing to do based on . . . what? A completely unverified rumor? Yeah. That makes sense. Good Night and Good Luck
truebluefan
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 6:41 p.m.
Bingo, ERMG. It was the wrong thing to do, IMO. Of course, your opinion will differ. And to that I ask you -- why was Stonum given another chance?
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 5:17 p.m.
Judging by your post above ("This whole thing just stinks and I cannot shake the notion that my alma mater 'dealt it'") you appear to be convicting Hoke of doing the wrong thing based on the rumor of alleged misbehavior. Seems very inconsistent of you. Or is that a misreading of your first post? And, if it is, what, exactly, did you mean? Good Night and Good Luck
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 4:22 a.m.
"The Big 12 Blog on ESPN.com said Jones chose Oklahoma 'largely because of the relationship he developed with Sooner defensive coordinator Brent Venables during the recruiting process.'" -- sounds like this was one of those situations which aren't altogether kosher. What was Brent Venables doing with a high school player who had already signed a letter of intent for Michigan? Could be nothing, maybe Jones was just one of those wobbly teens who can't make grown up decisions yet. OTH: isn't Oklahoma one of the projected top teams this preseason? Perhaps Mr. Jones was reading some sports writer's praise of Oklahoma and thought he might jump ahead in his career there. Whatever: Michigan Moves On. Michigan will move on, even with Mr. Kellen Jones down in... Oak-lahoma, where the wind goes whistlin' tween their ears! (Isn't that the official fight song of Oklahoma U?) I'm sure Coach Hoke isn't too disappointed, he's still got the best recruits in the country.
tulsatom
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 3:04 p.m.
I'm originally from Michigan and have lived in Oklahoma over 30 years. I love both states. Like with most things in life, there are good and bad things and people in both states. I have a good job situation down here so it worked out better for me, although U-M will always be my favorite college team. The only wind I hear whistling up there is the wind sweeping through the long unemployment lines. Prejudice is not cool and takes many forms, including your comment, Tru2Blu76.
truebluefan
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 4:52 a.m.
Jones signed an LOI with Michigan. There was an unsubstantiated (in a court of law) rumor of an inappropriate encounter between Jones and a female. Hoke pulled the LOI soon thereafter. Oklahoma snatched up Jones. This whole thing just stinks and I cannot shake the notion that my alma mater "dealt it".
1st Down
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 3:12 a.m.
Props to Coach Hoke for making a tough decision on cutting this player. Good luck to the young player in getting himself together at OU
Theo's Brother
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 : 4:23 a.m.
I hope your name goes from "3 and out" to "1st down" to "TOUCHDOWN" within a years time! Go BLUE!!!! Excited about Hoke!