For Muskogee coach Matt Hennesy, the count is four-for-four.

Four Big 12 defensive linemen in four years.

But the latest bears some significance in that Robert Thomas, who told Hennesy on Tuesday of his decision to verbally commit to Kansas State, will follow directly in his head coach's footsteps.

Hennesy, an Enid High graduate, played for former KSU coach Bill Snyder.

"He's the first I've had from this state to go there," said Hennesy, whose Oklahoma coaching career covers an earlier stop at Jenks as well as serving as Ron Lancaster's defensive coordinator from 2003-2005. "I had a couple of Kansas kids who went when I was at Dodge City.

"I'm glad for Robert. Coach (Ron) Prince has got things turned around since coach Snyder left. It is a good move for him."

Thomas (6-foot-2, 305 pounds) chose KSU over Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas Tech. He said Oklahoma State was the closest to challenging the Wildcats for his services. He's the team's fifth commitment in the 2009 recruiting class.

"I wanted to get this over with and focus on playing football," Thomas said. "They shot straight with me, which is what I wanted."

Shooting straight, he said, boiled down to how he would be used.

"I wanted to play from the start and they said I'd have that chance to start," he said. "I didn't get that from anyone else. Oklahoma State shot straight about that too but they never really did so to the extent of making me an offer."

Thomas visited the Manhattan, Kan., campus last week with MHS assistant Randon Lowe. Lowe, the offensive coordinator, also coordinates recruiting for the Roughers. Thomas was taking part in the KSU team camp.

"It felt right and now I don't have to worry about it," Thomas said. "I'm ready to concentrate on the season."

He'll join a quartet of Roughers defensive linemen at the top of the next level of the game. Oklahoma State's Derek Burton and Oklahoma's Jontae Bumpus and Stacy McGee signed out of MHS in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. All were defensive linemen.

It also brings to seven the number of Muskogee players with current ties to Big 12 programs. Wide receiver Jameel Owens also signed with Oklahoma in February. The others are Rell Lewis (Kansas) and Pete Richardson (Texas Tech).