Oklahoma
Can a Local Product Emerge as Oklahoma’s Answer to Depth at Linebacker?
NORMAN — One of the major challenges for Oklahoma’s defense this spring is rebuilding the depth that was lost this past winter.
Linebacker is no exception.
Kendal Daniels, who emerged as Brent Venables’ do-everything man at outside linebacker, graduated.
Kobie McKinzie and Sammy Omosigho both hit the portal as well, leaving Kip Lewis and Michigan transfer Cole Sullivan as the Sooners’ only two guys who have played significant snaps in college.
If Owen Heinecke can return, that would boost the group, but Venables, inside linebackers coach Nate Dreiling and outside linebackers coach Wes Goodwin are looking for other answers to emerge.
Physically, James Nesta is an imposing figure standing on the practice field as he commits to fully growing into his football body after splitting time with baseball early at Oklahoma, but the other linebacker returning the most experience is Taylor Heim.
The Bethany, OK, product earned a role on special teams last year, but he also rotated into a handful of games in the later stages of blowouts.
He totaled 12 tackles, including 0.5 sacks and one quarterback hurry.
Heim’s special teams snaps gave him a glimpse of what life is really like as a weekly contributor.
“Just feeling that game day environment, feeling the blood rush you get when you run out. I actually have a role to play. It’s different,” he said.
Heim has plenty of experience learning the cheetah position, but he said he was able to learn a lot over the past year by watching how Daniels handled all of the responsibilities of the role.
“He was a big one, a big mentor, because he was kind of my frame, my stature,” Heim said. “He definitely showed me the ropes and stuff and (I) just progressed as a player.”
Heim knew he couldn’t wait for spring ball to try and get a jump on growing into a larger role.
His work started as soon as he reported for winter workouts to get stronger, but also take his mental game to the next level.
“(I’m) gaining weight, being more physical, footwork,” he said. “Just trying to take that next step and always progress and never look back.”
Reggie Powers III, who rotated with Daniels last year, will play plenty at cheetah, but there’s no real proven depth behind him.
Defensive back Jeremiah Newcombe is often praised by OU’s coaching staff, but an injury halted his ability to earn real in-game experience last year.
At linebacker, Heim is battling for attention with Nesta and Marcus James behind Lewis and Sullivan.
Knowing every responsibility for all of those positions is difficult, but Heim believes he has the capability to play anywhere for the Sooners.
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“It’s definitely something you’ve gotta prepare for,” he said. “You don’t just have to focus on one. You have to really take a look at two. But I feel like they kinda play similar to each other.
“They play the same technique sometimes, but kinda opposite. So a little bit of learning curve there. But it’s good.”
With two seasons of eligibility remaining, the 6-foot-5, 225-pounder said he’s feeling the urgency this spring, but he’s just focused on improving incrementally every practice.
“I wouldn’t consider it pressure,” he said. “Obviously, with this sport comes pressure, but you either rise to it or fall. You’re always progressing or you’re declining, and you don’t wanna decline.”
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — If you have been waiting for the opening of a popular fast-food chain in Oklahoma City, your wait is almost over.
On Tuesday, Bojangles will open its first Oklahoma location in Oklahoma City.
The new restaurant, located at 13135 N. Pennsylvania Ave. in Oklahoma City, has a list of events planned throughout opening day.
The first 100 guests in line on April 28th will receive a $100 gift card and exclusive, Oklahoma City -themed merchandise.
Also, 10 dine-in guests can enter for a chance to win free Bojangles breakfast for a year.
At 3 p.m. on April 28, the restaurant will transform into a full-scale block party. Guests will be able to enjoy a live DJ, a mechanical bull, branded merchandise, and a sweepstakes.
“We are ecstatic about introducing Bojangles to Oklahoma and bringing our unique Southern charm to the market,” said Jose Armario, CEO of Bojangles. “Our recent expansions into new markets have been met with tremendous enthusiasm, and we are confident that the Oklahoma City community will embrace our delicious offerings with the same excitement.”
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The new store will open its doors at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28th.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking on the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of their opening-round series. The OKC Thunder are hoping that they can repeat their Sunday afternoon performance in this contest. Game 2 will be an interesting test with the Suns having more time to prepare.
Phoenix was up against a rock and a hard place in the series opener. The Oklahoma City Thunder not only have the talent advantage but the rest advantage as well. Phoenix punched their ticket to the NBA Playoffs on Friday night by staving off the Golden State Warriors on Friday night before landing in Oklahoma City on Saturday and playing on Saturday afternoon to the tune of a 119-84 blowout Thunder victory.
The NBA has seen plenty of upsets already. The Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers have all stolen games from the higher seed. The Thunder know they have to keep the foot on the gas in this contest.
“These series are unpredictable. No 2 games are the same. The minute you make an assumption, you are overconfident, or the minute you go down and you’re overly urgent, that can impact your ability to be present in the next game,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said pregame on Wednesday night.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are seeing the Suns make an adjustment with their starting lineup by inserting Collin Gillespie to give Phoenix a trio of ball handling scoring options alongside Devin Booker and Jalen Green. This gives the Suns hope to be able to find better shot quality against this stifling Thunder defensive unit.
Oklahoma City is healthier now than they have been all season. The Thunder only are missing rookie Thomas Sorber (ACL) who is out for the year. This allows the Bricktown Ballers to roll out their traditional first five in this contest.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns, Game 2 Starting Lineup
Oklahoma City Thunder Starting Lineup
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G
- Lu Dort, G
- Jalen Williams, F
- Chet Holmgren, F
- Isaiah Hartenstein, C
Phoenix Suns Starting Lineup
- Devin Booker, G
- Jalen Green, G
- Collin Gillespie, G
- Dillon Brooks, F
- Oso Ighodaro, C
The series will shift to Phoenix this weekend as the Oklahoma City Thunder hope to head into Saturday afternoon’s Game 3 with a 2-0 advantage in the series.
Stay tuned to Thunder on SI for complete coverage of the NBA Playoff run for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA (KOKH) — The Oklahoma City Fire Department responded to a home fire late Tuesday evening, around 10:42 p.m.
According to OKCFD, fire could be seen from a window of the home located in the 4200 block of N. Phillips Avenue.
Firefighters were able to rescue an adult female from inside the home. No injuries were reported in connection with the fire.
Investigators believe that the fire may have originated from an outlet near the refrigerator that had a power strip plugged in that was supplying multiple appliances.
There was also no smoke detector present within the home.
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