Kendall reflects on recruiting process
Rivals250 quarterback Austin Kendall is less than a month away from
moving from his home in the Charlotte area to Norman, Okla. to begin his
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college journey with Sooners, but it wasn't that long ago that Kendall appeared
bound for Rocky Top and the Tennessee Volunteers.
The story of Kendall and his transition from Tennessee commit to future Sooner
is a typical one in the world of high-profile quarterbacks in the current
recruiting landscape, when offers and commitments seem to happen earlier and
earlier every year.
Following his sophomore season, Kendall saw recruiting interest and offers, he
took several visits and committed to Tennessee in an effort to lock in his spot,
following in the footsteps of some of the class' other highly-ranked signal
callers.
"I was excited but there was also a little bit of pressure to make sure I had my
spot," said Kendall, the country's No. 170 overall prospect said. "At that time,
three or four other kids had already committed in my class and I was like 'Why
not? There's nothing else that I'm looking to see from Tennessee so I should
commit.' And that's why I did it when I did."
But just a few months after his commitment, the annual head coach and assistant
coach turnover began. Among the moves were changes at offensive coordinator both
at Tennessee and Oklahoma and suddenly Kendall found himself reevaluating his
options.
Eventually Kendall and the Vols parted ways, almost at the same time
Lincoln Riley left East Carolina to join the Oklahoma staff. Riley and
Kendall knew each other from Riley's attempts to recruit Kendall to the Pirates
and the connection between the two quickly picked up where it had left off.
"Right when I decommitted, Coach Riley reached out to me and begged me to come on
a visit because they don't offer kids without visiting," Kendall said. "I went
out there, my mind was blown and I told my dad I wanted to commit right
away but he wanted me to complete the process. But I knew when I was there it
was the place for me."
While it's not what he originally planned, the fit at Oklahoma is looking more
ideal for Kendall, even more so than it did when he committed.
"You see how things are unfolding and how quarterback play was an important part
of what they do," Kendall's personal quarterback coach Steve Clarkson said of
the Sooners. "With how Austin saw himself fitting into the mix, I think for him
it was certainly more appealing and it worked out well."
With time to reflect and heading into an excellent situation, Kendall said if he
could do it all again, he'd like change his approach to the recruiting process.
"I thought Tennessee was the right fit and I thought I loved everything and knew
what I needed to know to decide," Kendall said. "But I think looking back on it
I rushed my decision. I was only a sophomore, so definitely if I could it again
-- and I don't think I made a horrible decision -- but I think I rushed it a
little too much."
Kendall himself marveled at the recent rash of quarterback flips and near
quarterback flips (e.g. Jacob Eason) but Rivals.com National Recruiting
Director Mike Farrell said the trend of late quarterback moves is likely to
continue.
"I think kids are pressured to lock up a spot but more and more of them are
backing out of that without as much worry as in the past," Farrell said. "They
pick an early fit and if it doesn't feel right, they still have places to land.
That's why you're going to see more and more quarterback flips. Personally, I
think changing your mind as a quarterback on your commitment could be a sign of
poor decision-making, which would make me worry a bit, but there have certainly
been successful guys who have done it."
Riley was the key to landing Kendall and bringing him to Norman and when his
name came up last month in connection to other jobs, Kendall admitted he got
nervous. But with established relationship with the staff and players, he said
he can't wait to get work in Norman.
"I thought about it, but since I'm committed and I know everybody and all the
coaches, it's not just coach Riley that I'm there for now." Kendall said. "It's
everyone together. They treat me like family and I have a really close
relationship with coach (Bob) Stoops and that's the guy you want to be closest
with."
According to both Farrell and Clarkson, while Kendall's recruiting journey had
it's twists and turns, the outcome worked out best for all parties and Oklahoma
fans will get to reap the rewards down the line.
"He's a very charismatic personality," Clarkson said. "He plays very loose on
the field and he has the ability to make all the throws. There's certain things
that he has that you can't teach and he actually reminds me a lot of the guy
they have now in Baker Mayfield."
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