Oklahoma State moves Georgia up on the recruiting priority list

Oklahoma State, which plays UGA in the season-opener, said recruiting the state of Georgia has moved up on the priority list after the Cowboys had so much success this past year. Georgia has rocketed up to third.

Mill Creek DE Ryan Robinson is among Oklahoma State's signees out of Georgia. (Marcus Yam / AJC File)

“Right now, Georgia is third for us,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy told the AJC. “Oklahoma, Texas and then Georgia are the states we’re going to work hard on. In the spring, we’re going to put a [couple of assistants] there. We’re actually going to double up our recruiting efforts in the state of Georgia.”

Inside Recruiting Blog: Check out Michael Carvell’s interview with Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy, in which Gundy talks about unexpected recruiting rewards following his 2007 “I’m a man” outburst.

Oklahoma State signed three of the state’s top players last month, including Carver-Columbus linebacker LeRon Furr, Walton fullback David Paulsen and Mill Creek defensive end Ryan Robinson. Paulsen selected the Cowboys over an offer from Georgia.

Photos: Meet the three Georgia recruits Gundy signed to the OK State Class of 2009.

“We feel like we had a great year in our first season of really recruiting Georgia,” Gundy said. “Because of Georgia’s population and level of high school football, it gives us 20-30 prospects to evaluate. If we’re able to get two out of there per year, then it’s certainly worth flying down there. We can fly direct out from Oklahoma City or Tulsa into Atlanta.”

UGA plays at Oklahoma State in the season-opener on Sept. 5.

Paulsen, who is a lifelong Georgia fan, said on Sunday night he was first offered as a conditional grayshirt, meaning if the Bulldogs had signed too many players he would’ve delayed his enrollment until January. However, Paulsen said Georgia coach Mark Richt called on the dawn of signing day to say it was a regular offer.

VIDEO: Check out Ryan Robinson’s Gwinnett Daily Post interview

Photos: See who won last time UGA and OK State hooked up in 2007 at Sanford Stadium in Athens.

Got a recruiting item?
Please send an email to mcarvell@ajc.com

Here are briefs on the day’s top recruiting stories. Click on the headline of each story to read more.

You just want to read about UGA? Click here to go directly to all the UGA recruiting stories

You just want to read about Georgia Tech? Click on this link to go directly to all the Georgia Tech recruiting stories

Do you want to talk about UGA and Georgia Tech recruiting? Or have questions about the state’s top prospects? Then go to the AJC’s “Inside Georgia Recruiting” forum with Michael Carvell