Busy weekend brings more commitments for Tulsa football
Last Sunday, Tulsa picked up two commitments when Lincoln Christian athlete Reed Martin and Katy (TX) receiver JC Santana picked the Hurricane after making official visits. This Sunday started off the same way, as Piedmont (OK) defensive end Christian Bricker and Houston (TX) Jersey Village offensive lineman Chris Paul both committed to Tulsa after visiting campus. Later, on Sunday evening, Gilbert (AZ) Perry long-snapper Adam Higuera also picked TU.
“The visit was great,” Paul told Inside Tulsa Sports shortly after making his decision. “I decided on Tulsa because it's an amazing school. I think the smaller size of it and the wellness of the program I'm interested in will help me further my education. And it just felt like home.
“It’s one of the prettiest campuses I have ever seen, and the coaching staff is full of great, passionate people.”
Tulsa’s high academic standing was also a priority in Paul’s decision.
“Very important,” he said. “Probably the factor that took precedence.”
Paul was previously committed to Army and also held offers from New Mexico, North Texas, Stephen F. Austin, Missouri State and others. He helped Jersey Village average 446 yards on offense this season, anchoring the offensive line. He was a District 17-6A First-Team selection and was also named to the District 17-6A All-Academic Team.
“I create a new line of scrimmage very efficiently,” he said of his strengths. “I respect my opponent but also impose my will on where I want them to go on the field.”
Christian Bricker chose Tulsa over offers from Wyoming, Stephen F. Austin, Illinois State, NSU and Pittsburg State. Iowa State was also involved and alluded to a potential offer if Bricker would visit this weekend, but he chose to visit TU instead.
As a senior for Piedmont, Bricker totaled 71 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, four pass deflections, two interceptions and two QB hurries. He was named his District's Defensive Player of the Year and earned Second-team Big All-City honors from The Oklahoman. He is also listed at No. 35 in the Sooner State Rankings on Rivals.com.
Higuera, a nationally ranked long-snapper, is the younger brother of former Golden Hurricane deep-snapper Rey Higuera. He chose Tulsa over offers from Arizona, New Mexico State, Wyoming and Army.
"I ultimately decided on TU because it felt like home to me when I took my visit, and I really couldn't find that experience anywhere else," Higuera told Inside Tulsa Sports. "I couldn't be more excited to be a part of the Tulsa football family."
Higuera is rated a 5-star prospect by Kohl's Kicking and is ranked as high as No. 2 nationally as a deep-snapper. He was a Ray Guy All-American and played in the Blue-Grey All-American Game this month.
All three of TU's new commitments were included in our Hurricane Hot List, which was updated yesterday with detail on Tulsa’s remaining top targets. The other five Hot List prospects could make decisions soon, including those that visited this weekend.
Tulsa now sits at 20 commitments and could add at least three more to the 2017 recruiting class.
LINK: Tulsa final round of official visitors
LINK: Remaining TU Football recruiting targets
LINK: Spotlight – Higuera remains a top TU target
LINK: TU football recruiting notebook
LINK: TU Official Visitor lists for Jan. 13 and Jan. 20
