McCoy: A lasting memory

By John Shinn

Gerald McCoy has known for some time this would be his last season at Oklahoma. The All-American defensive tackle just needed to make sure a spring graduation was going as scheduled.

In October, he knew he would only need two more classes to make his human relations degree a certainty. He knew then that OU's bowl game would be his last game as a Sooner.

The fact he was part of a quartet of Sooners who decided to delay NFL riches and return for another season, with only two actually playing in the Sun Bowl, is something that wasn't lost on him.

"That was all in God's plan. I always prayed God would cover me in anything I did here. Regardless of what happened this season, God kept me healthy. I thank him for that every day," McCoy said Saturday when he met with reporters for the first time since officially announcing he will turn pro following this season.

Eleven months ago, McCoy joined quarterback Sam Bradford, tight end Jermaine Gresham and offensive tackle Trent Williams as underclassmen who elected to return to OU despite projections as first-round draft picks.

Of course, Gresham never made it to the field due to a preseason knee injury. Bradford played just one full game and made just three starts due to a shoulder injury. Even Williams missed the regular season finale due to a concussion.

Despite all the injuries to players around him, McCoy said that never affected his decision to return for this season or his decision to leave a final year of eligibility on the table.

"Last year, I was real close to coming out. But I didn't feel like I was ready and I wanted to get my degree," he said.

The vow to get his degree was one he made to his mother, Patricia. She passed away prior to his freshman season in 2006. The vow, however, remained strong.

"The main reason I came back was because of her. I think she'd be proud that I stayed in school to work to get my degree," McCoy said. "She was all about school. She loved football, but she could care less if I played. She wanted me to get my degree. She knew how important school was. I think she'd be proud that I made this decision."

The 21-year-old is projected as a high first-round pick. There isn't a mock draft that doesn't have him going somewhere in the top 10. The overwhelming majority have him projected in the top five.

McCoy might have gone that high last season. But it's a virtual guarantee he won't have to wait very long to hear his name called when the NFL draft starts April 22.

There's several other Sooner players who will face the same question that's been posed to McCoy the last two seasons. Defensive end Jeremy Beal, linebacker Travis Lewis and running back DeMarco Murray are all contemplating early jumps to the NFL.

His advice is simple: "Have fun in college is what I'll say. Have fun while you're here. Now that I'm going into my last game in college, it was like yesterday that I was moving into the Bud (Wilkinson Dormitory). Take advantage of the time you've got in college. Stay in school as long as you can. Don't rush it."

McCoy didn't. He had a plan. Even when Oklahoma got knocked off course this season, McCoy managed to stay on his.

Bigger plans

Assuming McCoy is a high first-round draft pick, he'll be looking at a guaranteed contract in the $20 million range. McCoy's wish list doesn't start with houses or cars, though.

He wants to start a homeless shelter in his mother's name somewhere in the Oklahoma City area. McCoy said it was something his mother wanted to do before she passed away.

"She told me she had found some property she was going to try and buy. She just had to save up and everything," McCoy said. "Once she passed away, and I started to see where I might be able to go (in the NFL draft), I always said to myself if I ever get the chance to get a little bit of money, I'm gonna do that for her and put it in her name. It's something I've always wanted to do because she was so passionate about it. She was all about people. She was just like me. It's something I want to do for her."

Big commitments

McCoy might be leaving, but OU got some very good recruiting news late Friday night in California. Tony Jefferson, ranked as the best athlete in the 2010 recruiting class by ESPN.com, committed to the Sooners. Joining him in his intention to become a Sooner was highly touted receiver Kenny Stills.

Jefferson, who plays at Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, Calif., was originally committed to UCLA, but decided to pursue other options last month. USC and Michigan were the 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back's likely other finalists.

"I just knew on the visit that this was the best place for me," Jefferson told ESPN.com. "I was committed to UCLA at the time but Oklahoma just felt like home. I love their style of play and how fast and aggressive their defense is every year."

OU beat out Florida to get Stills' commitment. The receiver from La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad, Calif., had an NFL lineage. His father, Ken Sr., played for Minnesota and Green Bay.

"I feel great about Oklahoma," Stills told ESPN.com. "I had a great visit there and it really opened my eyes up a lot. I love the coaching staff, the tradition of the program and of course that offense is great for any receiver."

Oral commitments are non-binding. High school players cannot officially sign until Feb. 3.

It's a consensus

Both McCoy and Williams have been named consensus All-Americans. The NCAA announced the list this week. The addition of those two players brings OU's total number of consensus All-Americans to 72, which ranks No. 5 nationally, No. 1 among Big 12 Conference schools.

McCoy was a first-team selection by The Sporting News, the Walter Camp Foundation and the Football Writers Association of America. Williams was first-team by the Associated Press, the American Football Coaches' Association and the Camp Foundation.

A points system was used for the selections of the consensus All-America team (three points for first team, two points for second team and one point for third team). The players who earned consensus status had the highest number of points when compared with other players at their position.

The five organizations used on the consensus chart are the American Football Coaches Association (first team), Associated Press (first, second and third teams), Football Writers Association of America (first team), The Sporting News (first, second and third teams) and Walter Camp Foundation (first and second teams).

John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com