Two and One

Gabe Ikard is one of the most highly recruited players in the “Sooner State” and schools like Kansas, Oklahoma State, Notre Dame, and Stanford have already offered. Fresh off of an unofficial visit to Stanford he admits that the Cardinal and Irish lead, but the Sooners could make it interesting if they were to offer.

Gabe Ikard, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive end/tight end from Bishop Mcguinness High in Okla., has been really enjoying the recruiting process.

“It is really exciting,” Ikard began. “The whole process hit really quick for me because Stanford offered me and then Tulsa offered me. Then four days later I had never even got a letter from Notre Dame and they sent me one letter. The very next day I talked to Charlie Weiss and he offers me a scholarship.”

“It was really unexpected that it all happened so fast. Then Kansas offers and OSU offers. I have definitely enjoyed the process. I think that anybody who says that they don’t is probably lying.”

The Midland Top 50 talent recently had the opportunity to take a trip to California to check out the Stanford Cardinal.

“It was my spring break last week, so we went up to Stanford on Tuesday,” Ikard informed. “We flew in to San Jose and drove down to Palo Alto. I met all of the coaches. I saw practice. I went to a couple of classes.

“They really put a nice itinerary together for me. I was there Tuesday and Wednesday and both days were really well organized. It was actually really impressive.”

Weather in Oklahoma lately has been hit and miss. One day it is cold and the next day it feels like spring, but Ikard said the weather in California was almost perfect.

“It was like high sixties and sunny. It really could not get much better. It did get cool at night, but that is about it. I was just like whoa this is convenient.”

Notre Dame is another school that Ikard is high on and he was planning on making it to South Bend on April 19th to visit the Irish and watch the spring game, but he is having to rethink those plans a little now.

“I am probably going to make it to Notre Dame in early April to watch a practice,” Ikard said of the change in plans.

“I was going to go for the spring game, but it is the same night as our high school prom, so that is not going to work out. I am hopefully in early April we are going to go look around, go to a practice, and talk to the coaches. That is what I am looking to do.”

Many school have come calling, but Ikard does admit that Stanford and Notre Dame have separated from the rest of the pack and currently lead for his services, but Oklahoma could make it interesting if they step up with an offer.

“As of now that is probably my top two,” Ikard said of his leaders. “Of course OU would stir things up a bit if they offered. I would then be faced with a really tough decision, so if that happens it will just be… I mean it is already a tough decision because they are two great schools, but if OU offers the decision will be even harder.”

“I think it is possible (OU offer), but I am not counting on it. I am not going to have a breakdown if they do not offer me, but then again I grew up rooting for them. It is just kind of hard to say that I would not be bothered if they didn’t. They recruit the best players in the country, so I would not say that I would be completely crushed.”

Ikard is a two-way star in high school, but he is equally effective on both sides of the ball. On offense he is a skilled blocker, but he has nice size and uses his hands well on the defensive side of the ball.

Colleges see his versatility as a plus, but each school is taking a little different approach to his future position, but he just wants to do whatever it takes to help the team win.

“It is a little different for each school. The defensive coordinators are writing me for schools like Kansas and OSU,” Ikard explained. “When I went down to Stanford coach Harbaugh said that he wanted me to play tight end, but their defensive ends coach said he wants me to play defensive end.”

“Ultimately it is going to be up to the staff on what they think I am best suited for. I am willing to fit in to the system however I fit. I like them both in high school. Once I am able to focus on one in college it will be more convenient, but it is high school football and a lot of people have to play both ways.”

Like many other topics Ikard has a sunny disposition on how his recruiting process will ultimately wrap itself up.

“It is going to be a tough decision, but at the same time you are picking from some of the top schools in the country. How hard could that be?”

Gabe Ikard Highlight Package- Watch Video