DB Tulsa verbal RB Jonathan Parker received a late offer from Iowa and made an official visit Friday. Parker could redshirt and then play a lot of football at TU.

Oregon State and KSU made a run at Tulsa verbal Safety Joe Bean.

And, although not a TU verbal, Missouri and Baylor have jumped in late to also pursue TE Kolton Shindelar.

I think the question to these recruits will always be: If you truly wanted me, why didn't you offer me early on like Tulsa? Obviously, the BCS schools are jumping in after losing other recruits they were pursuing.

I hope all these young men play their football at Tulsa--and get a fine education at a very respected academic university.

UPDATE: Feb 6, 11:27AM
Jonathan Parker switched to Iowa apparently agreeing to play any position Iowa wanted him to play. Parker also cited being closer to home. Parker's loss is a blow but it was nice to get highly sought TE Kolton Shindelar who had four SEC and B12 offers. Lose one; gain one. If TU goes after the best recruits, it stands that BCS schools will also pursue them. And, now and then, you are not going to win all the recruiting battles, of course.

UPDATE: Feb 6, 11:42PM
All verbals have faxed/emailed their signed commits except one, CB Isaiah Brown. Nice going Tulsa! This is a really fine class, especially on defense. DB Kerwin Thomas, who had previously verballed to Wyoming, committed to Tulsa, a surprise late addition. Thomas was a late qualifier.

I'm surprised Parker'd consider Iowa. I look for a coaching turnover big time there soon. Also Iowa's offense is next to the bottom - in the 100's of most every offensive category. Thus their issue is offensive line play.

One of the reasons BB and staff tend to prefer local recruits is that they are more apt to "stick" w TU on signing day IMO. You shouldn't have to fight these battles over and over, but we do from time to time.

But the thing that hacks me off more than anything is when an evaluator at one of the BCS schools skips over a recruit and bascially says that kid can't play for them right up until they lose a couple of guys on their board just before signing day. That should tell those recruits they are viewed as "marginal" and that those kids only came on the board as a second team fill in. Either they are wanted or they aren't. It should be simple.

Iowa verballed yesterday (Sunday) a running back (Akrum Wadley)about the same size as Parker from New Jersey (5-11, 170) who had previously verballed to Temple. My guess now is Iowa has no scholarship for another running back. And, of course, there would be two RBs at Iowa whereas Parker is the only RB recruited at Tulsa (I am excluding FB/HB).

These runs by BCS schools at Tulsa verbals is an indication of the quality of athletes choosing to play at Tulsa and to Blankenship and his staff for their ability to spot talent and bring them to Tulsa.

Thanks. Lets hope all the commits stay committed.