Matt Wixon

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CEDAR HILL – Joey McGuire knew he would make Adam Shead's day when he told him the news. But the Cedar Hill football coach didn't know there was potential for injury.

That can happen when you get a hug from a 6-4, 315-pound offensive lineman. But Shead, a tough guy on the field, needed to hug somebody after Oklahoma offered him a scholarship Tuesday morning.

"I was happy," Shead said, obviously a little embarrassed about it.

But there's no reason to be embarrassed. In fact, the image of Shead bear-hugging his coach – who was surprised, but not injured – is a nice departure from the images of high-profile recruits who crave the spotlight. Some athletes want the attention that comes with a lengthy recruitment. In contrast, Shead gave his commitment to the Sooners on the spot.

"I had it set in my mind that if they offered me, that's where I would be going," Shead said. "It was a relief."

Shead didn't need the attention. He just wanted to attend a good school with a big-time football program. And since Shead started playing football in eighth grade, he knew the school that had that perfect combination:

Texas.

OK, some explanation is in order. Shead, a junior ranked No. 11 among area recruits by Rivals.com, spent last fall expecting to play for the Longhorns. He attended four of their games, including the matchup with Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl.

"It was a great atmosphere," Shead said. "I remember that being the loudest stadium I've ever been to in my life."

But then Texas recruiters backed off. Shead was devastated, he said. He had watched all the Red River Rivalry games as a kid, and after attending his first one last year, he knew he wanted to be a part of it.

But as a Sooner?

No big deal, Shead said. He was always more pro-Texas than anti-Oklahoma.

"Texas or OU, it really didn't matter," Shead said. "Everything that I've worked for is to get to run out on the field and play a game at the college level and possibly in the NFL."

Cedar Hill running back Ben Malena, who has committed to Texas A&M, said the Oklahoma running backs will be lucky to have Shead.

"You can't say anything but great things about him," said Malena, who rushed for 2,202 yards and 35 touchdowns last season. "He's a tremendous blocker. He always keeps his pad level low, he drives his feet on contact and he finishes every play."

Shead will finish plays next season for the Longhorns – the red-and-black Longhorns of Cedar Hill. But after that, he will be playing for the Sooners, and the longtime Texas fan is fine with that.

In fact, Shead is thrilled. Just ask McGuire.

"He nearly broke my back, he squeezed me so hard," McGuire said. "I've never seen a kid more excited to commit in my life."