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Analysis of the Oklahoma Sooners official depth chart for the 2023 season

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Analysis of the Oklahoma Sooners official depth chart for the 2023 season


Game week one of the 2023 college football season is upon us. With that comes the 2023 depth chart for the Oklahoma Sooners.

If there’s one thing that’s evident about this depth chart this offseason, it’s there’s an emphasis on the word “depth.”

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We heard from the coaching staff during OU Media Day that they had more “competitive depth” on the roster. Now that we have our first depth chart of the season, it’s clear the team has more depth. Now, how that translates to wins and losses will reveal itself throughout the season.

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As Oklahoma gets set to take on Arkansas State in just a few days, here’s a look at the Sooners depth chart.

Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Dillon Gabriel

Jackson Arnold

Davis Beville

As expected, it’s Jackson Arnold backing up Dillon Gabriel to start the season. If Gabriel’s as good as he can be, Arnold will be relegated to late-game duty for the Oklahoma Sooners. However, given his size and ability to run the football, you could see the former five-star quarterback inserted down near the goalline.

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Marcus Major OR Tawee Walker

Jovantae Barnes OR Gavin Sawchuk

The Oklahoma Sooners coaching staff has spoken highly of Marcus Major and Tawee Walker this fall. The two veteran players run hard and are physical at the point of attack. Talent has never been the issue for Major, it’s availability. If he can stay healthy this season, he might be on the verge of a breakout campaign.

While they may be listed first, still expect to see a lot of Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk in week one and throughout the season.

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Austin Stogner

Blake Smith

Josh Fanuiel OR Kade McIntyre

It’s no surprise to see Austin Stogner at the top of the depth chart. He’s the most experienced player at the position, bringing plus athleticism at tight end. He’ll be an impact player in the passing game and could have a career year in 2023.

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

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Andrel Anthony

LV Bunkley-Shelton OR Jayden Gibson

Andrel Anthony is someone that Brent Venables spoke highly of during fall camp. The Michigan transfer adds a downfield element to help replace Marvin Mims production from a year ago.

Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Walter Rouse

Cayden Green

Jacob Sexton

How do you replace a first round draft pick at offensive tackle? You go get a guy with nearly 40 starts under his belt in Walter Rouse.

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Backing up Rouse to star the season is four-star offensive tackle Cayden Green. Green got a lot of work in spring ball and continued to impress in the summer and fall.

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Savion Byrd

Nate Anderson

There’s been a ton of buzz about Savion Byrd since his performance in the Cheez-It Bowl. If he can take that work and translate it to 2023, the Sooners have a great player on their hands.

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Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Andrew Raym

Troy Everett

Andrew Raym is the most tenured player on the Oklahoma Sooners offensive line. If he can take his game to another level, it will provide a boost to what’s been a good group in Norman.

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Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

McKade Mettauer

Caleb Shaffer

The Sooners have a pair of experienced transfers at right guard in McKade Mettauer and Caleb Shaffer. Mettauer returns after starting for Oklahoma last year and Shaffer provides an experienced backup to help keep Mettauer fresh.

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Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Guyton

Jake Taylor

Aaryn Parks

Expectations are high for Tyler Guyton after some strong spot starts in 2022. He’s a great athlete with fantastic size. He has a chance to be taken in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft if this season goes according to plan.

Bryan Terry-USA TODAY Sports

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Drake Stoops

Gavin Freeman

Jaquaize Pettaway

Drake Stoops is a key leader in the Sooners wide receiver room. His penchant for clutch plays will help Oklahoma win games this year. Freeman and Pettaway offer big play ability and give the Sooners a lot of options in the slot.

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Jalil Farooq

Nic Anderson

D.J. Graham

After a strong season in 2022, it’s no surprise to see Jalil Farooq’s name at the top of the depth chart. Nic Anderson’s had a strong fall camp for the Sooners and D.J. Graham was arguably the most impressive wide receiver in the spring game.

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That’s a strong group right there.

Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Rondell Bothroyd

R Mason Thomas

Adepoju Adebawore

This group of players might be the most exciting depth chart on the roster. Rondell Bothroyd brings experience and production from his time at Wake Forest. Over the last two years, Bothroyd collected 13 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss for the Demon Deacons.

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R Mason Thomas is an incredible athlete with great speed and quickness off the edge. He’ll win in a hurry and create havoc for opposing offensive tackles.

Adepoju Adebawore is one of the more highly anticipated freshman additions in some time. His athleticism and length are going to cause problems for teams.

This group literally goes three deep with pass-rush talent.

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Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Jonah Laulu OR Jordan Kelley

Jacob Lacey

Gracen Halton OR Davon Sears

Jonah Laulu’s move inside has been a good one for the former Hawaii transfer and defensive end. He’s an athletic player that is quick off the snap and works his tail off. Laulu combined with Jordan Kelley gives the Sooners a pair of players that will be effective in both the run and pass game.

Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

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Isaiah Coe OR DaJon Terry

Kelvin Gilliam OR Ashton Sanders

The Oklahoma Sooners made a concerted effort to add size up front this offseason. Isaiah Coe put on the weight to hold up better at nose tackle and Oklahoma brought in DaJon Terry from Tennessee. Both players are more than 310 pounds and will provide a dynamic duo at nose tackle.

AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz

Ethan Downs OR Trace Ford

Reggie Grimes OR Marcus Stripling

Taylor Wein

Ethan Downs finished the 2022 season strong and was Oklahoma’s lone preseason All-Big 12 selection. He and Trace Ford will split snaps as Oklahoma’s primary defensive end opposite Rondell Bothroyd.

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Jaren Kanak

Konnor Near

Kobie McKinzie OR Phil Picciotti

Jaren Kanak showed flashes a year ago but had little experience at the position. Going into year two, expectations are high that the former four-star prospect will have a breakout season.

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Danny Stutsman

Kip Lewis

Lewis Carter OR Shane Whitter

Owen Heinecke

Danny Stutsman is one of just three returning starters for the Sooners defense that doesn’t have an OR designation. The Big 12’s leading tackler from a year ago is hoping to build off of a breakout season.

 

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Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Justin Harrington

Dasan McCullough

Samuel Omosigho OR Shane Whitter

Though Dasan McCullough was considered the favorite to win the Cheetah job this offseason, it looks like Justin Harrington will get the first shot. Oklahoma’s staff will rotate the spot like many on the defense, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see McCullough get snaps at EDGE in pass rush situations.

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Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Gentry Williams

Kendel Dolby or Makari Vickers

Jacobe Johnson

This cornerback spot was up for grabs this offseason and it looks like Gentry Williams has made the most of his opportunity thus far. He’s athletic, fast, and physical at the catch point, looking to make plays on the football in the air. His attitude and aggressiveness will be one of the biggest signs of a new era of Oklahoma Sooners’ defense.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

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Billy Bowman

Peyton Bowen

Daeh McCullough

The Sooners have a bunch of fast, athletic players at safety heading into 2023. Between Billy Bowman and Peyton Bowen, Oklahoma should experience little drop off as they utilize their depth to keep everyone fresh.

Notably, in just a few months, Daeh McCullough earned a spot on the initial depth chart. He only enrolled this summer.

Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images

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Reggie Pearson OR Key Lawrence

Robert Spears-Jennings

Safety is one of the deepest spots on the team. Reggie Pearson and Key Lawrence bring a playmaking ability to the back end. Their veteran leadership will help the Sooners in coverage and their physicality will provide a boost in run support.

Don’t sleep on Robert Spears-Jennings either. The former four-star showed flashes when given a chance last year. He’s fast, athletic, and physical.

Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune-USA TODAY Sports

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Woodi Washington

Jasiah Wagoner or Kani Walker

Jayden Rowe

There were few spots on the roster as solidified as Woodi Washington’s spot at cornerback. Though the Sooners have added a lot of talent at the position over the last two offseasons, Washington’s veteran presence and coverage ability made him a shoe-in to start for Oklahoma.

 

Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

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Zach Schmit

Gavin Marshall

Redi Mustafaraj

In his first year kicking for the Sooners, Zach Schmit was okay. He hit just 67% of his field goal attempts He was 7 of 9 between 40 and 49 yards, which is pretty good. However, he was just 3 of 5 from 30-39 yards. That’s an area that has to improve.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Plaster OR Luke Elzinga OR Ashton Logan

The Sooners have experienced options in Josh Plaster and Luke Elzinga, but if neither is proving effective, they won’t hesitate to give Ashton Logan a shot.

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Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Schmit

Redi Mustafaraj

Josh Plaster

Zach Schmit was second in the Big 12 and 14th in the FBS in 2022 with just 22.8% of his kickoffs returned. He was also eighth in the FBS in total touchbacks last season.

Can’t give up a big return if you can’t return the ball.

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Billy Bowman OR Jalil Farooq OR  Peyton Bowen

This could be situational for the Oklahoma Sooners or they could feature a rotation at kick returner. Billy Bowman started the year as the Sooners primary kick returner until he was injured against TCU. Jalil Farooq was dynamic in the return game last year. Peyton Bowen is too athletic and fast to keep off the field.

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Gavin Freeman OR LV Bunkley-Shelton

Drake Stoops

The Oklahoma Sooners coaching staff is looking for ways to get Gavin Freeman on the field. He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands and will have a chance to be a game-changing presence in the return game.

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Ben Anderson

Ethan Lane

Jason Llewellyn

Here’s hoping most Sooners fans don’t know Ben Anderson’s name by the end of 2023. If you don’t know the holder, then they’re doing their job well.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

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Josh Plaster

Luke Elzinga

Can Josh Plaster make the same plays as Michael Turk, helping Oklahoma execute fakes in 2023?

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

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Inmate dies after being found unresponsive at Oklahoma County Detention Center

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Inmate dies after being found unresponsive at Oklahoma County Detention Center


A man being held at the Oklahoma County Detention Center died Saturday evening after being found unresponsive during routine sight checks, authorities said.

Vincent Riggie, 37, was discovered around 7:10 p.m., according to jail officials. An officer called for medical assistance and began administering lifesaving measures, including Narcan.

Emergency responders from EMSA and the Oklahoma City Fire Department arrived shortly after and continued efforts to revive Riggie. However, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Riggie, who was born Oct. 2, 1987, had been booked into the jail on Nov. 4, 2024, on charges of aggravated trafficking of illegal drugs and possession of a controlled substance. He was being held on a $50,000 bond.

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The circumstances surrounding Riggie’s death are under investigation. As per standard protocol, all in-custody deaths are investigated as homicides until the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s Office determines the official cause and manner of death.

Riggie’s family has been notified.





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South Carolina women's basketball: Five Things to Watch – #13 Oklahoma

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South Carolina women's basketball: Five Things to Watch – #13 Oklahoma


#2 South Carolina and #13 Oklahoma meet for the first time as conference rivals on Sunday. Find out how to watch and what to watch for.

1. When in doubt, Joyce Edwards
Every game seems to be another milestone in Joyce Edwards’s development., and she continues to get better an better. The latest milestone was scoring 11 of her career-high 21 points in the fourth quarter to help turn a four-point lead into an 18-point win.

Edwards has said that she understood her biggest adjustment in college would be the physicality. But knowing that and experiencing it are two different things.

“I feel like that was my biggest adjustment, actually,” Edwards said. “Just playing for the Gamecocks, with the Highlighters, helped me improve that. They’re physical. My teammates are physical as well, so I get it every day in practice. Coming out in the game, you just get better every day and eventually you get used to it.”

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Now she is posting up, drawing fouls, and finishing through contact. Since SEC play began, Edwards has emerged as one of the Gamecocks’ go-to players when they need a bucket.

Edwards is still improving, which makes the future even more exciting. She can be a better rebounder. She has three-point range, but Edwards’ jump shot isn’t consistent enough yet to balance her driving ability. The future is very bright.

[Win tickets: South Carolina-LSU WBB]

2. Handling Beers
Oklahoma made a splash in the offseason when the Sooners brought in transfer Raegan Beers, one of the top available players in the portal. 

Coach Jennie Baranczyk knew that to compete in the SEC she would need a post presence to supplement her guard-oriented, fast-paced style. Enter the 6-4 Beers, who leads the Sooners with 16.5 points and 8.8 rebounds this season.

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South Carolina has played Beers before. Last season Beers put up 16 points and 8 rebounds for Oregon State in a 70-58 loss to South Carolina in the Elite Eight in Albany

Kamilla Cardoso guarded Beers for most of that game, with Sania Feagin picking up the rest. Feagin struggled in that game, but she has gotten better as a defender since then. The Gamecocks didn’t double much, but when they did they were effective.

Beers is a little bit like Iowa State’s Audi Crooks. She isn’t super athletic and doesn’t move especially well, but once she gets the ball in the low post her footwork and shooting touch are elite. (“She’s a pretty big woman,” Edwards deadpanned.)

Earlier this season, South Carolina defended Crooks by fronting her and not letting her get the ball in position to make a play. It was extremely effective, but largely because of Ashlyn Watkins. South Carolina will still try to deny Beers the ball in her spots, but it will look different without Watkins.

“We’ve got to do a lot of our work early,” Edwards said. “Be physical without fouling.”

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Don’t be surprised if Staley uses Adhel Tac or Sakima Walker, who are both 6-6, to put some size on Beers. She’ll also try to make Beers play defense and hopefully get in foul trouble.

3. Tessa Time?
Someone on the message board (sorry, I don’t remember who) observed that every time we start to worry that a player has had a couple of quiet games, she responds with a big one. Using that logic, Tessa Johnson is due for a breakout. 

Johnson began SEC play with three consecutive double-figure games, including a career-high 22 at Mississippi State. But in the last two games, she has just nine points total on 3-7 shooting.

Johnson tends to let the game come to her, which has led to few shot attempts. She might need to be more assertive because she’s too good a scorer not to shoot more.

(Coincidentally, while writing this I’m watching the Oregon State game from last season to see how the Gamecocks guarded Beers. Johnson scored a team-high 15 in that game, including a clutch three-point play that basically won the game. More of that, Tessa.)

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4. Availability report
The first availability report for Sunday’s game comes out a little after 8:00pm ET on Saturday.

South Carolina’s availability report for its last game was as clean as it will be for the rest of the season. Only Ahlyn Watkins was listed.

Beers was the only player listed for Oklahoma. She was a Game Time Decision. That decision was for Beers to start and play her normal minutes. 

5. Scouting the Sooners
Beers has her own section, but Oklahoma’s veteran guards have been the heart of the team going back to the Big 12. 

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Skylar Vann was the Big 12 Co-Player of the Year last season, although her numbers have dropped to 9.4 points and 4.8 rebounds this season. Sahara Williams (10.1 points) was honorable mention All-Big 12 last season.

But the Sooners’ best player might be point guard Payton Verhulst. She was first-team All-Big 12 last season and is better this season, averaging 15.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. Verhulst is also coming in off a career-high 38 points against Missouri on Thursday.

“I say that they’re relentless,” Staley said. “I say that they go end-to-end very quickly and get quick shots up, and that’s hard. They all can score the basketball, and they got a point guard that facilitates and runs their team. It’s got high IQ. When you have the head of the snake with teams like that, they’re just hard to beat with all the talent that they have.”

Even with Beers slowing the tempo slightly, Oklahoma still scores 88.1 points per game, fourth in the country, and attempts 26.2 threes (tied for 20th in the nation), hitting 33.1% for 8.7 per game. 

The Ws
Who: #2 South Carolina (17-1, 5-0) vs #13 Oklahoma (15-3, 3-2)
When: 3:00 ET, Sunday, January 19
Where: Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC
Watch: ESPN

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Dale tops Millwood in battle of Oklahoma high school boys basketball heavyweights

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Dale tops Millwood in battle of Oklahoma high school boys basketball heavyweights


DALE — Denton Forsythe is playing with something to prove this season. 

A junior at Dale, he won titles in his first two years with the Pirates as his older brother Dayton led the program and solidified himself as one of the best players in the state. 

But with Dayton graduating and now playing at OU, there were questions about Dale. 

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Would the Pirates maintain their high level of play? 

Would they fade a bit? 

Did they have enough star power?  

Dale had a chance this week to see where it stood among the state’s best.

In the end, the Pirates erased any doubts that may have thrown their way. 

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Class 2A top-ranked Dale defeated Class 3A No. 1 Millwood 64-57 inside its home gymnasium Friday.

Forsythe had a big night as he led Dale with 22 points, while Jett Higdon had 13 and Tray Chambers added 12. Amari Barrett led Millwood (7-5) with 18. 

“We played extremely hard and extremely well,” Dale coach Jeff Edmonson said. “MIllwood is one of the top teams in the state. That’s a big-time win, so I’m really proud of our boys.” 

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Dale had won 57 straight home games into the matchup, and the gym was packed Friday. 

“We knew this place was gonna be rocking,” Forsythe said. “We got to give thanks to all of our fans. We knew Millwood was gonna come, because we beat them last year, we knew they were gonna come with energy and effort. I’m just proud of these guys, the way they played and competed.” 

Dale didn’t have the greatest start and trailed 15-9 after Millwood’s Isaiah Wilks hit a jumper at the end of the first quarter. 

But with Forsythe leading the charge, Dale fought back, trailed 29-25 at halftime and dominated after the break. 

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“He played with a lot of heart,” Edmonson said of Forsythe. “They all do. Everybody made big plays. Every single one of them on both ends of the floor.” 

Forsythe views this as one of the best wins of his career. 

The Pirates are now 17-2. Their lone losses were in December at the Tournament of Champions, where they fell to Class 4A top-ranked Weatherford 59-58 and to Class 4A third-ranked Crossings Christian 62-49. 

“We got a bunch of momentum going forward,” Forsythe said. “I’m proud of these guys. And the way we just celebrated in that locker room shows you how much these guys care about each other.” 

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Dale girls rout Millwood

The Class 2A top-ranked Dale girls squad blew past Millwood 66-37, improving to 18-1 on the season. 

Danika Pendley led Dale with 19 points, while Teague Muncy had 15 and Ava Bell added 11 against the Falcons (5-6). 

“We did a good job getting the ball inside,” Dale coach Eric Smith said. “They have a hard time guarding us inside. We’re pretty big and long and strong. And then defensively, it was good for the most part all night long.” 

The season is going well for Dale, the state runner-up last year. 

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The Pirates’ only loss was to Class 3A top-ranked Washington at Dale’s home tournament in December, but they avenged that when they defeated Washington later in the month at the Bertha Frank Teague Mid-America Classic in Ada. 

“It’s been a good season — 2A is as hard and as tough as I’ve ever seen it in a while,” Smith said. “Pocola is really good, Hartshorne is really good, Okemah is really good. I mean, there’s 10 or 12 teams that I think could make the state tournament, so It’s been a challenge for us.”

Nick Sardis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Nick? He can be reached at nsardis@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @nicksardis. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Nick’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

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