Stoops gives second chance to Missouri offensive lineman
Oklahoma football: 12th recruit of Class of 2007

By Blake Jackson

Published: January 28, 2007

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — Earlier this month, Bob Stoops extended an olive branch to embattled offensive lineman Donald Stephenson.

On Friday, the three-star prospect finally grabbed it.

Now he's set to join the Sooners as their 12th recruit from the Class of 2007.

Stephenson was charged with three counts of burglary of a motor vehicle, one count of felony theft and misdemeanor criminal damage and three counts of misdemeanor theft stemming from a Dec. 28 arrest at a movie theatre in Leawood, Kan.

Such transgressions often drive potential schools further away from a prospect, regardless of the player's potential.

But Stoops is no stranger to giving second chances.

And with his blessing, Sooner offensive line coach James Patton was able to make a late push and steal Stephenson out from under Kansas' Mark Mangino. The Jayhawks were long-considered Stephenson's top college choice, even after his arrest.

"The thing I had to tell myself is that I'm not obligated to anybody; that's how I felt my whole high school career,” Stephenson told Rivals.com on Friday. "I had to do what was best for me, and what I feel most comfortable with.” And I'm most comfortable with OU.”

Blue Springs coach Kelly Donohoe said earlier this month he expected the charges would be dropped in Stephenson's case, claiming the player was a victim of the wrong-place-at-the-wrong-time scenario.

"He's a solid citizen and just screwed up,” Donohoe said. "He couldn't say no to some of his old friends, and he knows that he shouldn't have been in that car with them.”

Stephenson missed much of his senior year after suffering a broken toe midway through Blue Springs' third game. Prior to his senior year, Stephenson was rated the No. 6 prospect overall in Missouri. He returned to action for the final game of 2006.