Cowboys diamond in the rough
Fort Bend (Texas) Austin linebacker Shane Jarka could be Oklahoma State's gold in the silt shaker – a Cowboy's version of a diamond in the rough.
Oklahoma State is Jarka's only offer, but Texas Tech and TCU are nearing. They might be too late since Jarka is taking an unofficial visit to Stillwater this week and will most likely pull the trigger.
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"I'm going up there this week and if I like it, I'll commit right there," he said. "I know I like the coaches and what they have to offer. I know I will probably redshirt, but I like my future there."
Jarka (6-3, 235-pounds) has participated in the Nike Camp in Fort Worth, the University of Houston combine and Oklahoma State's one-day camp in Houston. He will be attending Texas A&M, TCU and Texas State's camps in weeks to come.
"I'm hanging on for an offer from TCU and Texas Tech," Jarka said. "If they can't give me an offer by the time I go to Stillwater, I will commit to Oklahoma State."
The honorable mention all-district linebacker is projected as a defensive end in college and has speed to match his size. He ran the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles for his track program last season and played basketball through his sophomore season before focusing on football.
"I knew I had the size to play football but it wasn't until the end of last year that college football was a reality," he said. "Everyone wants to play college football growing up but when the letters and calls started coming it was a little surprising. It all happened so fast."