Cowboys land Canadian defender
Oklahoma State got an early heads up on an emerging Canadian linebacker prospect in the 2016 class, and it has led to a commitment.
Calgary (Alb.) Notre Dame linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga gave the Cowboy's coaching staff his decision on Saturday morning.
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"This morning I called Coach (Mike) Gundy and let him know I will be attending their school for the 2016 season," Ogbongbemiga said. "He was excited. He's always wanted me to come to the school and I feel like he likes me a lot."
Ogbongbemiga is the cousin of Oklahoma State defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, who helped get his name in front of the coaching staff.
"Him being there got me the look by the coach, but I still had to work for my offer," Ogbongbemiga said. "I had to go out to the camp and I had to ball out. That's what I did and the coaches gave me an offer after that camp.
"I worked with Coach (Glenn) Spencer, the linebackers coach, and we did some drills. They just said they've heard nothing but good things, they know I'm a hard-worker and they'd love me at their school."
A 6-foot-1, 211-pound prospect, Ogbongbemiga has already been tabbed to start at a specific position in the Cowboy's defense.
"They said I am going to play weakside, WILL linebacker," Ogbongbemiga said. "The weakside doesn't really blitz a lot. I like that position because you run downfield a lot and (handle) the cut-back play, and I do that a lot where I play."
Besides Oklahoma State, Ogbongbemiga held an offer from Nevada and he was receiving looks from the likes of Notre Dame, Rice, Ohio University and Western Kentucky. The offer from Oklahoma State came on June 14, and he has been considering a commitment since.
"When I went to the school I saw the facilities and it looked really good. That I couldn't pass up on," Ogbongbemiga said. "The coaches made me feel like I am home from the start, always showed me some love and always were talking to me. That really made my decision.
"My parents are all about education, so that is what (convinced) them of my decision. I agree with them on that because I want to graduate and school is a big part of my life."
During the 2014 season Ogbongbemiga recorded 104 tackles including 13 for loss and three sacks in 10 games. He lived in the Houston area until 2011 and still has a lot of family there. His future now, though, is in Stillwater after Saturday's commitment.