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Can a Local Product Emerge as Oklahoma’s Answer to Depth at Linebacker?

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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Heim’s special teams snaps gave him a glimpse of what life is really like as a weekly contributor. 

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“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. 

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His work started as soon as he reported for winter workouts to get stronger, but also take his mental game to the next level. 

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“(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. 

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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.”

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Woman hospitalized after house fire in northeast Oklahoma City

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Woman hospitalized after house fire in northeast Oklahoma City


Authorities say one woman was taken to the hospital following an early morning house fire in northeast Oklahoma City.

Around 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Oklahoma City firefighters were called to a house fire near N.E. 13th St. and Missouri.

When crews arrived, they found the victim on the front porch of the home.

“When they got off the rig and initiated offensive fire attack, found one victim on the front porch. Appeared she was maybe suffering from smoke inhalation. The fire was relatively small. It was contained to one bedroom in the back. The patient was transported, was treated here, and then transported to OU,” said Batt. Chief Brad Smith, with the Oklahoma City Fire Department.

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Officials said the fire originated in the back of the house, in a back bedroom near the closet.

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However, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.



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Bode Sparrow commits Friday: why BYU is Oklahoma’s biggest threat for the Davis star

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Bode Sparrow commits Friday: why BYU is Oklahoma’s biggest threat for the Davis star


Kaysville (Utah) Davis athlete Bode Sparrow cut his list to four back in May and has now locked in his commitment date.

Sparrow is a tremendous player on both sides of the ball and checks in as the No. 77 player nationally in the Rivals Industry Ranking, an equally weighted average that utilizes all three major recruiting services.

He will make his long awaited college choice this Friday, May 25 from a final four of BYU, Oklahoma, Oregon and Utah.

In handicapping this race, two schools jump out for us. The first is Oklahoma. I put a commit prediction in for the Sooners back in March and there was some buzz that he could commit around that time.

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Sparrow decided to hold off making an early decision in order to take his official visits. Oklahoma was the first visit locked in and for awhile, the only visit that was set, giving even more credence to the Sooners being the team to beat.

“They really believe in me and have a vision for me there,” Sparrow told us after his official visit. “They show me so much love and I have such great relationships with the coaches there.

“I also really like the town of Norman and the plan in place for me from a safety/scheme standpoint. They really have everything I’m looking for in a school. Brent Venables is great, a defensive minded head coach and I just love the all around fit.”

Sparrow followed up his visit to OU with trips to Oregon, Utah and BYU. The Ducks made a big impression and should be considered a dark horse. They are easily one of the toughest schools to recruit against and it would surprise no one if Sparrow ends in Eugene.

Saying that, the school that is gaining a lot of momentum and looks to be Oklahoma’s biggest challenger is BYU. For months we talked to some close to Sparrow, college coaches and trainers who all said the same thing, ‘don’t rule out BYU in the end.’

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No one has recruited Sparrow longer than the Cougs. He has been on campus more than any other school, he’s strong in his LDS faith and he has a great connection with the BYU staff including head coach Kalani Sitake.

BYU was able to get the final visit over the weekend and there is some quiet confidence in Provo as well as from a few other recruits/commits who were also on the visit. With the church connection, we’ve long said in a head to head battle, BYU is very tough to beat, especially for an in-state player.

Saying that, there are still Sooner commits we’ve talked to convinced Sparrow is still headed to Norman. That’s why this recruitment has become one of the more fascinating ones to follow this cycle, it’s one of those rare instances where days away from a decision, it could still go in multiple directions.

For now, my commit prediction remains on Oklahoma but BYU is closing fast and this one close to a toss up with a decision quickly approaching.

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OHP remembers K-9 for protecting countless lives during career

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OHP remembers K-9 for protecting countless lives during career


Officials with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol are remembering a dedicated K-9 officer who passed away earlier this month.

K-9 Dak was born in 2014 and began serving with the OHP in 2015.

Throughout his distinguished career, officials say Dak’s exceptional instincts made a significant impact on public safety across the state.

During his career, Dak was instrumental in the seizure of over 2,000 pounds of marijuana, 46 pounds of cocaine, 151 pounds of methamphetamine, and 99 pounds of fentanyl.

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“These remarkable accomplishments represent countless lives protected and communities made safer through Dak’s service,” OHP wrote.

Dak worked his final shift on June 3 before peacefully passing away from natural causes on June 7.

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“More than his statistics and accomplishments, Dak was a loyal partner, trusted teammate, and beloved member of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. His legacy will live on through the work he accomplished, the bond he shared with his handler, and the many lives he touched throughout his career,” OHP said.

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