6/3/2016 football Edit

Local DL Garrett Flanary discusses commitment to Tulsa

Garrett Flanary during a recent unofficial visit to the Tulsa campus.

Chris Harmon

ITS Publisher

Tulsa (Okla.) Lincoln Christian defensive lineman Garrett Flanary saw his recruiting process explode this spring, and on Friday, he decided to give a verbal pledge to the University of Tulsa.

"I want to be closer to my family and have them be able to come and watch me play," he told Inside Tulsa Sports on Friday evening, before announcing his decision on Twitter. "Plus, Tulsa is a great education for me."

The 6-foot-3 and 275 pound defensive tackle recently cut his list to 10 schools. Aside from Tulsa, he had picked up scholarship offers from Fresno State, Southern Miss, New Mexico, Temple, Army, Utah State, San Diego State, Ohio, Nevada, Louisiana-Lafayette, Colorado State, Navy, Air Force, Tulane, Dartmouth, Arkansas State, ULM, UTSA and others.

Flanary credits his lead recruiter, Tulsa assistant coach Bill Young, and other TU coaches with luring him to stay close to home.

"They make it seem like a big family to me," he explained. "The whole staff is nice -- even the strength and conditioning coach. Everyone connects really well, and that's what I liked."

Flanary helped Lincoln Christian to a 14-1 record last season, as the Bulldogs fell in the state title game to Heritage Hall. Opposing offensive linemen found it hard to keep the big DL out of the backfield. He finished the year with 53 tackles and 8 sacks.

"My pass rush is my best," Flanary described. "I am really quick off the ball, and my speed kills linemen trying to block me. Teams have to try and double team me, because if they try and run pulls away from me, I'm already back there before the quarterback hands it off."

With his college decision behind him, Flanary will be focusing on several goals for his senior season.

"Get back to the State Championship," he concluded. "Break all the school sack records. Break all the school lifting records."

Flanary is Tulsa's fifth commitment in the 2017 recruiting class. He joins Collinsville (OK) QB Seth Boomer, Tulsa (OK) Union RB Shamari Brooks, Kerrville (TX) Tivy LB Chase Brown and Abilene (TX) RB Abram Smith.