R250 OL Hayes jumps at Sooners offer

Four-star offensive guard Marquis Hayes was prepared for how he would handle an offer from the Oklahoma Sooners, so when it came through Tuesday evening the St. Louis native was ready with his decision.

“Before I even visited I just felt there is only one Oklahoma,” Hayes said. “It just felt like to me that this is a big opportunity and I couldn’t waste this opportunity and let it pass me, so I had to take it while I can.”

Hayes told the Oklahoma coaches Tuesday night he was accepting their offer. The decision comes just a week after he and his father made an unofficial visit to Oklahoma. That visit also convinced Marquis Hayes Sr., that Norman where his son should continue his career.

“In Norman, he just felt that (Oklahoma) was for me,” Hayes said. “He didn’t want to rush me into that decision, but he could tell how I looked at it and he felt the same way.”

The Sooners already had Hayes’ attention prior to the July 11 visit to Oklahoma, but being on campus clinched the decision in Hayes’ mind.

“Oklahoma is a big-time school,” Hayes said. “Just seeing, not just the facilities, but having a conversation with the coach. Then, watching the o-linemen play – they don’t have that many offensive linemen, so that makes it look like I have an opportunity to come in and get a quick start.”

Hayes was able to spend time with head coach Bob Stoops during the visit, but his time with offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh was particularly impactful.

“Coach Bedenbaugh said he could see me playing either offensive guard or offensive tackle, but he sees me as an elite offensive guard,” Hayes said. “I just liked how he showed me from the jump the playbook and told me how he coaches. He’s not too easy on you – he is a hard coach – and he just jumped straight to the facts instead of beating around the bush.”

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Hayes plans to return to Oklahoma July 29 with his mother for a barbecue recruiting event so she can see where he will be playing out his college career.