Oklahoma athlete could end up on defense

Travis Burkhalter is his team's best athlete. So it's no surprise to see him lined up under center for Eufaula, Okla. But if you ask his coach, Korey Roberts the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Burkhalter might just be best suited to play safety in college.

"He really wants to play defensive back now," his coach said.

"He'll play quarterback in college if they want him to, but he's having a great year on defense. He has 11 interceptions, and he's a really physical safety."

But don't get Roberts wrong, Burkhalter is also one heck of a quarterback.

"He's passed for more than 1,100 yards and he's also rushed for 1,000," Roberts said. "That number should be more like 1,400. We've had more dropped passes this season than I've ever had. We're not a throwing team, but he should have a lot more yards. He's also averaging nine yards a carry, so he's just a tremendous athlete."

Burkhalter said he's open to playing defense in college.

"I think have more potential at defense," he said. "I have a better feel for it. I try to give it all that I can."

Burkhalter does have three offers on the table from Colorado State, Tulsa and Wyoming. Texas A&M was really interested in him early in the recruiting process, but it looks like Burkhalter has slipped down the Aggies' board some since it's been a while since he's heard from them.

"I like the coaching staff at Tulsa a lot," he said. "I like coach (Charlie) Stubbs and coach (Matt) Wells and what they've done for me. They've been recruiting me hard ever since I got that offer.

"I've also talked to the coaches at Colorado State about a visit in December. I think I'll also go to Wyoming for sure, too. I'm going out there some time in December, but I don't remember the date."