4-Star Bryce Youngquist on Oklahoma Commitment: 'Best Place for Me to Succeed'

There are cases where Rancho Cucamonga, California, linebacker Bryce Youngquist wished he didn't have to choose one or the other. His highly competitive recruiting process was one of those cases.

The 4-star athlete, ranked the nation's No. 11 outside linebacker, had Oregon and Oklahoma on even pedestals through the latter part of his process. Both schools had everything he wanted in a program, and both have winning reputations on the field. He even went on to call the programs "identical" in his eyes.

But late Friday afternoon Youngquist made what he considered "the toughest decision of my life" and chose the Big 12 over the Pac-12. He verbally committed to Oklahoma and became the Sooners' eighth overall commitment and first linebacker pledge of the 2016 class.

"I've been recruited by some great programs and been around a lot of great coaches," Youngquist said. "I want to thank all the universities for their hospitality and interest in me. It was really hard, but I had to come to a decision.

"I felt this was the best place for me to succeed. That's the bottom line. I wish I could have more than one school, but I had to choose one."

Recruited by wide receivers coach Dennis Simmons and inside linebackers coach Tim Kish, Youngquist became the highest-ranked defensive prospect of Oklahoma's class. At 6'1" and 215 pounds, Youngquist can play both outside and inside linebacker. While he said the Ducks were looking to use him more on the inside in their 3-4 scheme, Oklahoma wanted him to play the outside backer spot.

"If it benefits the team, I'll play anywhere," said Youngquist, who added he's more comfortable as an outside linebacker.

Youngquist chose the Sooners over Oregon, as well as offers from Washington State, Arizona State and Wisconsin. He said he was a fan of the aesthetics and overall camaraderie of Norman, Oklahoma. He took in a campus visit two weeks ago.

"I really like Oklahoma. It's a clean campus, and everyone there is nice," Youngquist said. "I feel like I can just focus there and succeed as a person and on the football field. It felt like home when I visited.

"When you see the players enjoying it, it really makes your decision easy. There are no real distractions, and everyone's really supportive of the students and, especially, the football program. It's an awesome place to be."

Credit: 247Sports

The Sooners will get a linebacker who plays with great downhill acceleration and solid pad level. He has a nose for the football and is always on the hunt to make a play.

At The Opening regionals in Los Angeles and Oakland over the spring, Youngquist showed his speed, shiftiness, mental toughness and overall strength. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.57 seconds and, arguably more impressive, threw the power ball 42 feet. At one of last year's regional events, Youngquist showed a vertical jump of 37.9 inches.

Youngquist is committed to Oklahoma, but he reiterated how difficult it was to choose between the Sooners and the Ducks. He was recruited to Oregon by defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Don Pellum, and he said Eugene, Oregon, has everything he wanted in a place to live.

"It was pretty much a personal preference in the end," said Youngquist, who visited Oregon in May during the team's spring game. "[Oregon] is a beautiful place, a quiet place," he said. "They give you that family type of atmosphere there. The coaches are supportive. Plus, they have so much academic support. I can't say anything bad about it."

But when it was time to make his decision, Youngquist said he was ready to wear Oklahoma crimson and cream rather than Oregon's green and yellow.

And now that the decision's out of the way, he's ready to get to work for his senior year and his future college football career.

"There's something for everyone," he said. "I know I picked an awesome place. It's a place where I know people will have your back."

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles