Tag: Nigel Smith

Watch: Four-star Nigel Smith picks Oklahoma using a slick video

Nigel Smith makes his college commitment with a splashy video.

Oklahoma added a big and impressive recruit on Friday night, landing a commitment from Nigel Smith. Almost as impressive as the recruit, was the way Smith committed to the Sooners.

A hype video played in the stadium revealed the Texas prospect was heading to Oklahoma.

The verbal from Smith gives Oklahoma yet another top verbal in this 2024 recruiting class. He is a consensus four-star recruit and the No. 82 player in the nation according to Rivals.

A 6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive end, Smith is a senior at Melissa High School (Melissa, Texas). His strong play last year was a major reason why the Cardinals went 11-3.

And as is the case in Texas, they do everything bigger…which of course goes for college commitments in addition to about everything else. Check out this commitment from Smith, which feels more like a SportsCenter feature than a college verbal:

 

He had a number of top offers that included the likes of Ohio State, Penn State and Texas A&M among others.

 

SEC move helps the Oklahoma Sooners on the recruiting trail

There is no doubt Oklahoma has been recruiting at an even higher level than recently, how big of a role has the SEC move played into that?

The SEC has long been thought to be the best conference in college football and the closest thing to the [autotag]NFL[/autotag]. Many wondered what kind of recruiting bump the Sooners would see once they headed to their new conference. We might already be seeing it unfold.

The Oklahoma Sooners received a boost on the recruiting trail. Bob Przybylo with SoonerScoop (subscription required) wrote an article about all the ways the SEC is helping the Sooners. The coaches know how big a lift it gives them when they are sitting in the homes with recruits and their families.

“The Sooners have already proven they can recruit at a top-tier level under Venables,” Przybylo said in his piece. “But, honestly, there’s still another level it could reach with the SEC brand attached.”

One of the first things [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag] mentioned when he committed was the move to the SEC. He was looking forward to playing football and baseball in the premier conference.

To compete in the SEC, you need to recruit against the best in the nation. Oklahoma is coming off the No. 4 class in the nation in the 2023 cycle, which was one of the best classes in program history. That came after securing the No. 8 class in the 2022 cycle.

There’s no doubt Oklahoma’s future in the SEC is helping land guys such as Cayden Green, David Stone and Adeopoju Adebawore. It may not be the primary reason Oklahoma’s having success, but it certainly moves the needle on the recruiting trail.

Nobody creates more NFL draft selections or first round picks than the SEC. The level of competition

This year’s class is ranked 11th in the nation by [autotag]247Sports[/autotag]. No. 11 is a good spot to climb higher, but that is seventh among SEC schools thus far.

Obviously, Oklahoma isn’t close to being done recruiting this cycle. Five-star defensive lineman [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag] is committing on Friday. Then Friday, Sept. 8, four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Nigel Smith[/autotag] II is announcing his decision.

Right now, Oklahoma is the favorite for Smith, but not for McKinley. There aren’t decision dates for four-star prospects Grant Brix and Danny Okoye. The Sooners are in a good spot with those top prospects. There are targets that could end up in their 2024 signing class. At No. 11, the Sooners may not end up with a top-five class in the SEC, let alone the nation.

Oklahoma knows what it has to do and how well it needs to recruit. It’s why it went after [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]. He knows what it takes to compete against the best in the nation.

It’s why you haven’t heard any doubt after a 6-7 season from the administration. They know they’ve got the right guy for the job.

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Defensive line depth Oklahoma’s biggest need for its 2024 recruiting class per ESPN

ESPN analyzed the biggest needs for the top 25 schools in their 2024 recruiting rankings. DL depth the biggest need for the Sooners.

This week, ESPN examined the 2024 recruiting landscape as less than four months stand between us and the early signing period. For Oklahoma, they sit in an advantageous position. They comfortably have a top-25 recruiting class and are on the cusp of potentially landing three more commitments over the next week. It all starts with five-star defensive tackle [autotag]David Stone[/autotag] on Saturday evening.

David Stone’s recruitment means a lot to Oklahoma. He’s been arguably the top priority in the cycle for two years. Not only is he a must-get because of his talent, but the Sooners have to earn his commitment because of how many upperclassmen they have on their defensive line.

After this season, they could see a multitude of interior defensive linemen depart the program for graduation or to play in the NFL. Because of that, ESPN lists Oklahoma’s most significant need for their 2024 class as defensive line depth.

Craig Haubert of ESPN analyzed the biggest needs for the top 25 recruiting classes, and here’s what he had to say about the No. 15 ranked Sooners (ESPN+).

The Sooners must improve their defense and get stronger in the trenches as they prepare to move to the SEC. They began to address those changes last cycle with several signings led by elite edge prospect Adepoju Adebawore, multiple three-stars and transfer portal additions. But 2023 ESPN 300 signee Derrick Leblanc has already transferred from the program, and Oklahoma’s current unit is heavy on upperclassmen. Five-star DL David Stone is expected to decide soon, and the Sooners are in a good position for the Oklahoma native, who plays at IMG. Stone is an explosive and agile big man that could immediately contribute. ESPN 300 DE Nigel Smith could be another key addition and is expected to decide in early September. LSU would love to keep Dominick McKinley at home, but the Sooners are contenders here as well, as they look to address this need in a potentially big way. – Haubert, ESPN

Oklahoma’s surplus of upperclass defensive linemen should serve them well as they look to bounce back from an abysmal defensive performance in 2022.

As Haubert points out, the interior of the defensive line is dependent on the veterans making an impact this season. There are intriguing youngsters inside like [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag], [autotag]Ashton Sanders[/autotag], [autotag]Kelvin Gilliam[/autotag], and [autotag]Markus Strong[/autotag], but we’ve yet to see them take significant snaps at the collegiate level.

It makes Stone’s decision even more critical. It also adds to the importance of [autotag]Nigel Smith[/autotag] II’s impending decision. Four-star EDGE [autotag]Danny Okoye[/autotag], a star from Oklahoma, also becomes a must-have for the Sooners.

The Sooners don’t just want these three talented defensive linemen. They need them. Oklahoma looks like they have been lapped by Texas, who seems to have run away from OU in the recruitment of [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag].

Oklahoma has commitments from defensive tackle [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] and [autotag]Wyatt Gilmore[/autotag]. With all that said, Oklahoma has a promising chance to add some defensive line depth for next season in the coming weeks and months. It’s about finishing and closing the deal for the Sooners, something they have shown us they aren’t afraid to do.

Sooners ranked 16th in ESPN’s team recruiting rankings with plenty of time to rise

Oklahoma’s 19 commits have them No. 16 on ESPN’s team recruiting rankings. Craig Haubert takes a look at Oklahoma’s class.

The Oklahoma Sooners went from zero commits in the class of 2024 to 19 pledges in a little over four months. Their first one of the cycle came when four-star cornerback Jeremiah Newcombe out of Arizona announced his commitment out of nowhere on March 25. Since then, the Sooners have been rolling along, progressively claiming the recruiting rankings where they sit 16th with a massive commitment decision looming on August 26 for five-star defensive tackle David Stone. His commitment could help vault Oklahoma ever so close to the top 10.

ESPN has the Sooners ranked 16th overall (ESPN+) with seven commitments in the ESPN300. The Sooners are also the top team in the Big 12 in their latest update.

That seems right in line with other services like 247Sports, who also have Brent Venables’ team slotted at No. 16 in their team rankings. Craig Haubert of ESPN had this to say about Oklahoma. The Sooners’ win over USC for [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag] is the highlight of the class thus far.

One of the top RBs in the class, Taylor Tatum has put up impressive testing numbers on the camp circuit, and that translates to his play as he brings a dangerous blend of speed and power.  – Haubert, ESPN

Oklahoma’s recruiting haul has been heavy on the offensive side of the ball. 13 of their 19 commits will be featured in [autotag]Jeff Lebby[/autotag]’s offense. The top three prospects in Oklahoma’s class, according to ESPN. Tatum comes in as the No. 38 prospect in the nation. But the Sooners also have other ESPN300 players like wide receivers [autotag]Zion Kearney[/autotag], [autotag]Zion Ragins[/autotag], and [autotag]Ivan Carreon[/autotag], four-star tight end [autotag]Davon Mitchell[/autotag], and four-star quarterback [autotag]Michael Hawkins[/autotag].

Defense is less represented right now, with [autotag]Jaydan Hardy[/autotag] the lone commit in the ESPN300 at No. 146. That could change if Oklahoma wins recruiting battles for blue chip defensive linemen [autotag]David Stone[/autotag] (8/26) and [autotag]Nigel Smith[/autotag] II (9/8) in the coming weeks. The Sooners enter the home stretch of both recruitments as leaders, but recruiting isn’t about how you start but how you finish.

Oklahoma knows that well. Last summer provided much of the same recruiting push we’ve seen this summer. They closed their recruiting class for 2023 by flipping five-star safety [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag] from Oregon on signing day. Could they do the same to five-star EDGE player [autotag]Williams Nwaneri[/autotag]? Recent comments from the Lee’s Summit North prospect suggest the Sooners are still in pursuit despite his commitment Monday to the Missouri Tigers.

There are so many unknowns with this 2024 recruiting class despite Oklahoma’s hot summer. One thing Brent Venables and Co. can hang a hat on is that this staff has shown a penchant for finishing strong on the recruiting trail. The Sooners will look to do the same this fall as well.

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Oklahoma comes up short against Missouri for the commitment of five-star Williams Nwaneri

Oklahoma just misses out as five-star EDGE Williams Nwaneri committed to Missouri over Oklahoma, Georgia, and Tennessee on Monday afternoon.

In what can only be described as game-changing, Oklahoma missed on its most significant recruiting prospect in a long time as five-star defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri committed to Missouri on Monday afternoon.

Chronicling the nature of this recruitment is likely a story for another day. Still, Oklahoma entered the final rounds for one of the nation’s most elite defenders. Ultimately, the Sooners couldn’t overcome Missouri’s hometown advantage. Nwaneri picked Missouri over Oklahoma, Georgia and Tennessee.

Missouri’s pitch to Nwaneri was simple. They are the in-state school with the added proximity bonus and NIL opportunities that Nwaneri could capitalize on before stepping foot on campus. He would be revered as a hero forever for being a high-profile prospect who decided to stay home and play for the Missouri Tigers.

Oklahoma’s advantages or connection with Nwaneri stem from his relationship with the coaching staff. There is a strong bond between Nwaneri and defensive coaches Miguel Chavis and Todd Bates.

Oklahoma has been building a pipeline to Lee’s Summit North (Nwaneri’s high school). Lee’s Summit North produced true freshman offensive tackle Cayden Green and 2025 nose tackle Ka’Mori Moore commit, both teammates of Nwaneri’s. The Sooners are also pursuing current teammate and 2025 four-star receiver Isaiah Mozee. Mozee is an Oklahoma legacy by way of his father and the head coach at Lee’s Summit North, Jamar Mozee. The elder Mozee played at OU when Brent Venables was at Oklahoma as a defensive coordinator.

It’s been tough for Oklahoma to land five-star defensive linemen consistently. While last year saw them land Adepoju Adebawore, the hit rate for Oklahoma in these five-star defensive line recruitments is hardly something to be proud of.

Even with the commitment to Missouri, Oklahoma will continue to pursue Nwaneri until the No. 1 player in the On3 rankings officially signs his national letter of intent. So the potential for his recruitment turning in Oklahoma’s favor remains until signing day. We saw last year how that worked out for Oklahoma for former five-star safety Peyton Bowen.

In the immediate future, Oklahoma turns its attention to the decisions of five-star defensive tackle [autotag]David Stone[/autotag] (Aug. 26), five-star defensive lineman [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag] (Sept. 1) and four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Nigel Smith[/autotag] (Sept. 8). Oklahoma has more than a puncher’s chance to land at least two out of the three. If Oklahoma can land at least two, it still would be one of the better defensive line hauls in recent Sooners history.

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Sooners target Nigel Smith Jr. shuts down recruitment, sets commitment date

Four-star DL and top 100 prospect Nigel Smith announced his commitment date. The Sooners are well positioned for the Melissa, Texas prospect.

Amid the hysteria and hype of Oklahoma’s pursuit of five-star defenders, the Sooners are in a major recruiting battle for another blue chip defensive lineman.

Four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Nigel Smith[/autotag] Jr. is an exceptional talent in his own right. While Oklahoma’s pursuits of [autotag]David Stone[/autotag] and [autotag]Williams Nwaneri[/autotag] have been covered relentlessly, Smith, a top 100 player, is another priority recruitment for the Sooners.

As his recruitment winds down, Smith took to social media on Friday to offer an update on his recruitment.

This declaration, in particular, signals a decision has likely been made. It’s also probably fair to infer that Smith would like to focus on his responsibilities as a student-athlete for the remainder of the summer.

He plans to commit on Sept. 8, the day of his season opener for Melissa. He also announced his recruitment is closed and doesn’t plan on doing any interviews or taking any more visits until after his commitment.

“I will be committing on September 8,” Smith said via social media. “From the point on I will be closing my recruitment and not doing any interviews until after the date along with not taking anymore college visits.”

Most notably, a visit to Texas is no longer happening for Smith. Texas and Texas A&M appear to be the biggest threats to Oklahoma securing a commitment from Smith. Penn State and Ohio State have also been notable schools pursuing the talented defensive line prospect.

It remains to be seen if that will matter in the long run. However, with him shutting down his recruitment, having that last little bit of contact would surely help. Oklahoma likely feels comfortable and has remained steady in this recruitment since last year. The projections from 247Sports, On3 and Rivals favor the Sooners for Nigel Smith.

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Fresh crystal ball predicts Oklahoma to land 4-star DL Nigel Smith

Tuesday evening, the Oklahoma Sooners received a fresh prediction to land top 100 defensive lineman Nigel Smith.

The Oklahoma Sooners have been working overtime to build a defensive line class that can lay the foundation for their move to the SEC.

A strong defensive line is how Brent Venables had success at Oklahoma. It’s how he helped Clemson win national championships. And the Sooners are looking to stockpile as much talent along the defensive front as they can.

The plan received a bit of a boost on Tuesday evening when Horns 247’s Jordan Scruggs issued a crystal ball prediction favoring the Oklahoma Sooners in the recruitment of four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Nigel Smith[/autotag].

247Sports joins Rivals and On3 in favoring the Oklahoma Sooners in this top-100 recruitment.

The Texas Longhorns are another of the teams on the shortlist for Smith. Also on the list are Ohio State, Penn State, Texas A&M and Rutgers.

Smith is the No. 84 player in the country according to the 247Sports composite and the No. 12 defensive lineman in the 2024 cycle.

At 6 feet, 5 inches and 260 pounds, Smith has the size to be a force at multiple spots along the defensive line. He’s an athletic player that plays with really good technique and a motor that will not quit. Smith is quick off the line of scrimmage, using a great first step to work through the offensive line to make plays in the backfield.

Oklahoma has a pair of defensive linemen committed to the 2024 class. [autotag]Wyatt Gilmore[/autotag] and [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] are just the first in a grand plan set forth by [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag], [autotag]Todd Bates[/autotag] and [autotag]Miguel Chavis[/autotag] to construct a blue-chip defensive line through the 2024 class.

In addition to Smith, the Sooners are favored to land [autotag]Williams Nwaneri[/autotag] and [autotag]David Stone[/autotag]. Oklahoma is also in hot pursuit of Danny Okoye, Dominick McKinley and Zina Umeozulu.

There’s no telling if they’ll land all eight of their defensive line targets in the cycle, but with the way events are unfolding, the Sooners could add as many as six of these blue-chip talents.

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Commitment dates on the horizon for Oklahoma 2024 targets

Over the next seven weeks, a number of the Oklahoma Sooners high-profile 2024 prospects will be making their commitments. Who are they?

The summer months have already been kind to the Oklahoma Sooners on the recruiting trail, and we still have a month and a half until most high school seasons kick off for the 2023 season.

More than half of the Sooners’ commitments have come since June 1. They’ve picked up pledges from [autotag]James Nesta[/autotag], [autotag]Dozie Ezukanma[/autotag], [autotag]Xavier Robinson[/autotag], [autotag]Wyatt Gilmore[/autotag], [autotag]Davon Mitchell[/autotag] and [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag]. With 13 commitments in the class of 2024, the Sooners sit 26th in the 247Sports team rankings and No. 17 in the On3 team rankings.

And that’s with a number of highly regarded prospects still to make their pledge in the coming weeks and months.

Here’s a look at who’s slated to commit during the next couple of months. We’ll update the list as players release commitment dates.

Four-star DT Jayden Jackson commits to the Oklahoma Sooners

After speculation that Texas and Miami were destinations, Oklahoma is the choice for four-star defensive tackle Jayden Jackson.

Oklahoma is starting to heat up on the recruiting trail. Oklahoma just landed their seventh recruit since June 19th as four-star nose tackle [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] committed to Oklahoma on Thursday.

Jackson brings college-ready size and will likely add more to his already impressive frame. Jackson chose the Sooners over Texas, Ohio State, and in-state school Miami.

Oklahoma first offered Jackson in March when they were likely checking in at IMG Academy and continuing to fill out the remainder of their board for 2024. Jackson’s teammate and friend at IMG is five-star defensive linemen David Stone, a priority target for the Sooners. In recruiting Stone, the Sooners identified Jackson as an intriguing option at defensive tackle.

The rest of the story took off. Jackson took an official visit to Norman on June 20th and used the remainder of June for other official visits before ultimately choosing Oklahoma.

Much has been said about Oklahoma’s perceived lack of preparedness for their jump to the SEC. It was felt that the Sooners weren’t in a position in the trenches to compete in the SEC. While that may have been true before Brent Venables’ arrival, it’s quickly becoming a stale narrative that is dying out quickly. The last two recruiting classes for Oklahoma have seen the Sooners recruit some of the most talented defensive linemen.

Jackson is a four-star player in the 247Sports composite. While he may not have a high overall ranking, his offer list clearly reveals that high-level Power Five teams saw him as an impact player.

It’s hard not to recognize how strong he is, how laterally quick he moves for a guy his size, and his motor on the playing field. Teams should line up for that type of one-technique defensive tackle in the middle of their defense to help establish physicality up front.

Here’s what Sooners Wire Managing Editor John Williams had to say about Jayden Jackson when he dropped his top 12 back in April, which included the Oklahoma Sooners.

Jackson is a 6-foot-2, 300-pound defensive tackle that is the definition of a people mover. He is quick off the line of scrimmage and displays really good play strength. Jackson can dart through the line to get into the backfield or utilize his strength to defeat double teams at the point of attack. – Williams, Sooners Wire

Jackson’s commitment is another feather in the cap of Todd Bates, who came to Oklahoma with a reputation on the recruiting trail and a notable talent developer. He’s starting to get the guys he wants that fit the style of defense the Sooners want to play.

With Jackson in the Sooners’ 2024 recruiting class, his next objective will be to ensure his teammate and friend David Stone commits to Oklahoma.

The Sooners have appear to be the overwhelming favorite for Stone according to the predictions from 247Sports, On3, and Rivals. However, Stone has yet to announce a commitment date. Still, with his close friend and teammate now a Sooners commit, Stone’s decision may have gotten just a little bit easier.

Oklahoma isn’t done along the defensive front. Stone, five-star EDGE Williams Nwaneri, and four-star prospects Nigel Smith and Danny Okoye still have upcoming decisions that loom large for the Sooners.

Like the weather in Oklahoma, things are heating up for the Sooners and Brent Venables on the recruiting trail.

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Oklahoma Sooners 2024 commitment tracker

Which players are committed to the Oklahoma Sooners 2024 recruiting class and what do they bring to the football field?

The Oklahoma Sooners are hoping to follow a pair of top-10 recruiting classes in 2022 and 2023 with another in the 2024 recruiting cycle. The Sooners’ 6-7 season didn’t affect the finish to the 2023 recruiting class, which finished No. 4 in the nation according to 247Sports.

Brent Venables and his staff are hoping to have a repeat of that success or better and have themselves well-positioned to be near the top of the rankings when it’s all said and done in 2024.

Much of the success of this class will be determined by how well the Oklahoma Sooners recruit the defensive line ahead of their move to the SEC in 2024. In a strong defensive line class, the Sooners are in a good spot with a number of highly-coveted prospects. They finally broke the ice on their defensive line recruiting with the addition of Wyatt Gilmore, the No. 2 player in the state of Minnesota and a four-star prospect.

All eyes turn to players like [autotag]David Stone[/autotag], [autotag]Williams Nwaneri[/autotag], [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag], [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag], [autotag]Nigel Smith[/autotag], [autotag]Danny Okoye[/autotag], [autotag]Jayshawn Ross[/autotag], [autotag]Joseph Jonah-Ajonye[/autotag], and [autotag]Zina Umeozulu[/autotag].

They will not land all of their targets, but Venables, [autotag]Ted Roof[/autotag], [autotag]Todd Bates[/autotag] and [autotag]Miguel Chavis[/autotag] have made a strong impression on an impressive group of defensive line prospects.

Still just over five months out from the early signing period, here’s a look at who is committed to the Oklahoma Sooners as of July 1, 2023.