New recruiting projection for four-star Nigel Smith lands in Oklahoma’s favor

Oklahoma looks like the favorite to land four-star defensive lineman Nigel Smith as another recruiting projection points to OU.

Oklahoma has yet to pop a commitment for the 2024 class, but names are starting to pick up steam, and that steam has led to some projections on where some of the 2024 class may end up when all is said and done.

Oklahoma starts their week with a projection in their favor for them to land four-star defensive line prospect Nigel Smith.

Oklahoma’s been relentlessly pursuing Nigel Smith since the Venables era began. The Sooners offered Smith on January 27th, 2022. Since then, Oklahoma has had Smith and his family on campus six times. The most recent, January 28th of this year. The Sooners’ relationship and persistence have paid off as Texas Insider Geoff Ketchum logged a Rivals FutureCast in Oklahoma’s favor.

Oklahoma has a pair of 247 Crystal Ball predictions for Nigel Smith. With all three projections, it seems a safe bet to acknowledge that Oklahoma is leading the race for the top 75 defensive linemen from Melissa, Texas. Aside from Oklahoma, Ohio State, Oregon, Alabama, Texas, and other major programs are in pursuit.

A commitment from Smith would solidify a new shift for Oklahoma in terms of recruiting prowess and speak volumes about the capacity of the defensive coaching staff to routinely reel in back to classes with a top 75 defensive lineman. That feat seemed impossible consistently under the previous regime and reflected in the defensive results.

Smith would be a massive defensive pillar for the Sooners 2024 class and would not take them out of the running for the heavyweight five-stars in David Stone and Williams Nwaneri. With the connection player and coaching staff have with one another, it seems a foregone conclusion that Oklahoma will eventually get an official visit from Smith as well. If he hasn’t already committed by then, that could seal the deal for the Sooners whenever that day comes.

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