Gilkey hopes year ahead is hectic

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Scotty Ray Gilkey's two scholarship offers arrived despite some hurdles. As a sophomore at Jenks (Okla.) High School, the quarterback saw very limited playing time and struggled to gain much recruiting traction because of it.

Then the camp season started.

A 2016 prospect, Gilkey earned invitations from Louisville and Louisiana Monroe at the programs' respective camps and is hoping the momentum will continue into his junior season, during which he will likely function as the starter at Broken Arrow High School. The next year of Gilkey's recruitment could have a distinctly different tone than the last. Gilkey's transfer may just pay off in the long run.

"Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are both recruiting me," Gilkey said just prior to taking the field at the Rivals250 Underclassmen Challenge on Saturday. "Texas really enjoyed me when the saw me. Arkansas liked me. Ole Miss wants me to come on a visit. Eastern Illinois is interested in me as well. I always keep that as an option because my dad is an alumni there."

Growing up in Oklahoma didn't do much to shape Gilkey's college sports allegiances He was groomed as a fan of neither in-state program. Instead, he spent his youth supporting a team based south of the Sooner State's borders.

"I actually grew up a Texas fan," Gilkey said. "As I got older and the recruiting started to pick up, it faded. I like OU now. I still love Texas, but I also like OU."

Gilkey has already visited the campus of Louisville. And while he relationship with the Cardinals coaching staff is ongoing, he says the first impression left an imprint on his mind. Things went well upon his arrival in Kentucky.

"I loved it there," Gilkey said. "I loved the coaches. We had great chemistry. I loved the coaches. Coach [Garrick] McGee was really cool, as well as Coach (Petrino). They showed a lot of interest and a lot of love. I was just going out there to get my name out, and they ended up offering me. I was surprised, but I was really happy.

The 6-foot-3 Gilkey spent his offseason attending a plethora of camps but expects his visit schedule to taper off as he prepares for his junior season at Broken Arrow.