The Reload: Evaluating Lucas N’Guessan, Marcus Arroyo’s Impact in Recruiting, and more

The Reload is PFB’s recruiting recap, which will catch you up to speed on events surrounding Oklahoma State recruiting with an ear to the ground on what to expect in the near future.

Evaluating 7-foot commitment Lucas N’Guessan

Brad Underwood landed a 7-foot Dutch center last week with practically no film and no insight as to his potential to make an impact in his first season in Stillwater. I reached out to Eurohoops editor in chief, Ruben Alcarez, who shared the following evaluation on N’Guessan:

Lucas is a PF/C around 6’11 with good upside. IMO he won’t be a contributor in his freshman year but will be very competitive in practices and will adjust to be a good player in near future. I sent u what we wrote about him last summer.

N’Guessan showed a big improvement in his first participation with Netherlands national team. Another raw player that is growing in giant steps. N’Guessan exhibit big energy on the court in limited time being very active in every action. With 6’11 and a wingspan of 7’1 N’Guessan is an interesting player for 2016 class.

He posseses a body wired with room to get bigger. Lucas has feeling for the game and he showed an interesting mid-range jumpshot. He is still not able to put the ball on the floor and play open but that is an option that should not rule. At defensive end he is becoming a presence and is not afraid to hustle. He will continue his development at Canarias Basketball Academy (Spain) next season.

Stats: 13.8 minutes, 3.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, 45% field goal, 58% free throw and 1.2 turnovers per game.

So while in his opinion, N’Guessan may not be an instant contributor, it sounds like the upside and the potential that Underwood saw in N’Guessan seems to be validated by at least one European evaluator.

Also, for those who want a more in depth analysis on why his commitment matters, you should check out Sam Aldrich’s take on N’Guessan. It’s fantastic.

Marcus Arroyo’s Big Impact

Oklahoma State’s running back coach Marcus Arroyo has made a big impact during his tenure in Stillwater. Perhaps no bigger than on the recruiting trail, where he has raked in the 2017 cycle this past month with landing key commitments from JD King and Chuba Hubbard.

But that isn’t the only impact he’s made. He’s also landed the Cowboys in the discussion with running back Travis Etienne, a big-time back from Jennings, LA, and Cedarian Lamb, a former Sooners wide receiver commit.

Both prospects have named OSU in their top 10. And both prospects’ lead recruiter is none other than Marcus Arroyo.

Former Southern Miss head coach Todd Monken, who now works for Tampa Bay as the offensive coordinator and receivers coach, had a glowing review to share about Arroyo who was his offensive coordinator at Southern Miss. Here’s what Monken told The Oklahoman about Arroyo “He is a flat out stud,” Monken said. “He is an incredible recruiter.”

That’s coming from a guy who knows a little something about how to run an offense.

The ability to be a stud can’t quite be measured, but there’s no doubt his recruiting prowess has taken the Cowboys to the next level with big name recruits. And they’re already seeing that pay off in this 2017 cycle, where the Cowboys currently rank No. 18 in the nation in recruiting rankings per 247sports.

Omer Yurtseven update

As you may know by now, Turkish seven-footer Omer Yurtseven made his college choice and committed to NC State earlier in the week — recruited by none other than former OSU assistant Butch Pierre. With the scholarship count now even with the announcement that Tyree Griffin will transfer, an interesting note to keep in mind is that the Cowboys were still pursuing Yurtseven all the way until his announcement.

That either means OSU felt really good about their chances with the five-star center, or that there’s a possibility that the Cowboys could lose one more player to transfer before it’s said and done. If the Yurtseven sweepstakes had went OSU’s favor, they would once again be +1 on the scholarship count. Just something to keep in mind. If a graduate transfer or 2016 prospect at center becomes available anytime soon, you’d have to think OSU is at the least willing to explore options.

Cowboy staff stops to see former Sooners commit

The beauty of social media. You can say something without saying anything.

Here’s what Marcus Arroyo tweeted out yesterday:

?? cant wait to see #FosterFr3️⃣ak out here today doin work‼️ The next @CowboyFb WR to dominate the air! #BeACowboy pic.twitter.com/m9TYQJ8ySP

— Coach Arroyo?OREGON® (@coacharroyoTheO) May 17, 2016

The “Foster Freak” reference being Cedarian Lamb – the former Sooners receiver commit whose recruitment is back open. The Cowboys are in the top 10 schools and, according to one source, Lamb plans to make OSU one of his official visits later this year. Getting him on campus for a chance to court and woo him is a big deal in the next step in landing this top-flight talent.

Coaching staff drops by Southmoore

Oklahoma State coaches dropped by OKC yesterday to see Southmoore High School — where several big-time targets for OSU are starting practice. Perhaps no bigger target (literally) is Southmoore offensive tackle Brey Walker, a 6-7, 300-pound 2018 prospect and current Sooners commit. Walker has offers from Georgia, Bama, OSU, OU, Arkansas, Michigan, and others.

Another target on hand was 2018 quarterback Casey Thompson – younger brother of former Sooners quarterback Kendal Thompson and son of a Sooner legacy Charles Thompson. Casey already holds offers from OSU, Miami, Arizona State, and many others. But on Tuesday, he landed another big offer from Ohio State.

The Sooners have not offered yet, but the Casey Thompson sweepstakes is looking like an uphill battle at the least for Oklahoma State.

Interesting tidbit

Shout out to Jason Kersey for bringing this to light yesterday. An interesting note on quarterback Nick Starkel, former OSU commit who signed with Texas A&M in the 2016 class.

Part of the reason for the switch from OSU to A&M came after a conversation Starkel had with Cody Kessler, who was at USC at the time. According to SEC Country, Starkel “wasn’t sure about his commitment to the Cowboys.” Kessler, who is now with the Cleveland Browns, told Starkel this advice: “A lot of times, you don’t want it to be about you. You want it to be about the team. This part of the process, you have to be selfish. It’s your decision and you need to make the best decision you can.”

Starkel decommitted from OSU in December of 2015. The Cowboys eventually went on to sign Keondre Wudtee of Bossier City, LA on national signing day in February.