The Oklahoma Sooners were once considered big players during the recruitment of then-highly touted high school receiver Dorial Green-Beckham. Three years later, it appears they’re going to get their man after all.
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops announced Thursday afternoon that the former Mizzou receiver has joined the Sooners’ roster.
“We are pleased to welcome Dorial to the University of Oklahoma, where he is excited to continue his education and resume his playing career,” Stoops said in a news release. “Dorial understands the privilege and responsibilities of representing the Oklahoma Football program. He is a talented young man who is eager to get to work with the rest of our team in the classroom and on the field.”
#Sooners head coach @OU_CoachStoops has announced the addition of Dorial Green-Beckham: http://t.co/CvDpRgcgIF pic.twitter.com/MRlOO9gzSp
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) July 3, 2014
SoonerScoop’s Casey Murdock originally reported this morning that Green-Beckham was visiting Oklahoma on Thursday, and a report from [The Oklahoman](http://newsok.com/former-top-prospect-dorial-green-beckham-to-oklahoma-three-reasons-it-makes-sense-and-three-reasons-it-doesnt/article/4934880) back on June 21 said that there was “at least marginal interest” in bringing the former Tiger to Norman. However it was unclear as to which side the interest was coming from.
“I appreciate this opportunity from Coach Stoops and the University of Oklahoma,” Green-Beckham said in the release. “There are people here who will help me build a strong foundation. I’ve disappointed myself and others in the past. I know that I have a lot of work to do and I’m ready to get started. OU is a great program and I feel privileged to be part of it. The university has made the expectations clear and I want to live up to them and be a positive part of the campus and team. I also want to thank Coach Gary Pinkel and the University of Missouri.”
Green-Beckham was dismissed from the Missouri football team in April after two marijuana-related arrests and an accusation that he forced his way into an apartment and assaulted an 18-year-old woman. He led the Tigers in catches (59) and receiving touchdowns (12) last season, finishing second in total receiving yards (883).
Because he is transferring to another Football Bowl Subdivison school, Green-Beckham will have to sit out the upcoming season.
News on the Green-Beckham front had been fairly quiet for about a month before news broke of his transfer today. A report in May from [CBS Sports’ Jeremy Fowler](http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/jeremy-fowler/24573541/dorial-green-beckham-sitting-out-2014-season-) had speculated he would sit out the 2014 season and declare for the 2015 NFL Draft, similar to the path that troubled LSU safety Tyrann Mathieu took in 2012.
Two years ago, the NCAA created rules that would allow for a player to be waived from the one-year transfer rule if they were “run off” by their previous school. The athlete must prove that they were unable to return to their previous team due to things outside of their own control. If Green-Beckham is to pursue this waiver, he would also have to prove that he is in good academic standing, and his former institution (Missouri) will have to submit a written statement saying they support the waiver.