Oklahoma
Newcomer Profile: How Seth Littrell ‘Helped the Transition’ for Oklahoma OL Febechi Nwaiwu
NORMAN — Coming out of Coppell High School (TX), offensive lineman Febechi Nwaiwu held a single Division I offer.
Instead of heading north to play for Illinois State, an FCS program, the Dallas-area product chose to stay home and walk-on at North Texas, who was led by then-head coach Seth Littrell.
After redshirting during his first year in Denton, Nwaiwu quickly showcased his talent to the Mean Green coaching staff, earning a scholarship ahead of the 2022 season.
In the season that followed, Nwaiwu made 12 starts for UNT, earning Conference USA All-Freshman honors and being named third-team All-Conference USA by Pro Football Focus. After the 2022 season, Littrell left North Texas and was hired as an offensive analyst at Oklahoma.
Nwaiwu, however, spent his redshirt sophomore year in Denton, where he played 713 snaps and earned a 70.4 overall offensive grade and a 75.5 run blocking grade from PFF. After the 2023 season, the standout interior offensive lineman entered the transfer portal, where he reunited with his former head coach after Littrell was elevated to offensive coordinator in Norman.
“You know, Seth Littrell he’s a great coach, (we are) very close,” Nwaiwu said in March. “He was my coach at UNT, my first two years over there. Just having him over here helped the transition even more because I had somebody that could be a friend on the coaching staff already. … Choosing OU, it was the people here, the coaching staff, I just felt really in tune with them. Their morals and their goals are the same as my goals.”
WATCH: Oklahoma OL Febechi Nwaiwu Interview
Going through his first spring at Oklahoma, Nwaiwu has been taking reps with the first-team offense, blocking for former 5-star quarterback Jackson Arnold. With a completely new offensive line set to take over for the Sooners after losing all five starters from the 2023 campaign, Nwaiwu’s experience will be crucial for OU as it heads into the SEC.
Being one of the only guards one the roster with more than a few starts at the collegiate level, the former Mean Green standout should be earn a starting spot when the fall rolls around, especially if he continues to perform well in spring practices.
Players within the program have already taken note of Nwaiwu’s mentality and toughness, which are both key traits to have along the o-line.
“Febechi… The aggressiveness. He got that dog in him,” junior defensive lineman Gracen Halton said after practice in late March.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 326 pounds, Nwaiwu also has the size to be a solid offensive lineman in the SEC. Former Oklahoma All-American center Gabe Ikard has even said on “The Oklahoma Breakdown” podcast that Nwaiwu has looked like one of the Sooners’ best offensive lineman through the spring.
More Newcomer Profiles
QB Casey Thompson
DB Jocelyn Malaska
DL Jayden Jackson
OL Geirean Hatchett
WR Deion Burks
TE Jake Roberts
DB Dez Malone
LB James Nesta
DE Nigel Smith
RB Xavier Robinson
TE Bauer Sharp
DB Jaydan Hardy
DE Danny Okoye
WR Ivan Carreon
QB Brendan Zurbrugg
QB Michael Hawkins
DB Eli Bowen
Despite observers being concerned about Oklahoma’s offensive line with a brand new group, Nwaiwu is confident that he will give enough effort to help the team be successful this season
“OU fans are going to get a player that’s going to play 100 percent every snap,” Nwaiwu said. “He’s going to play for his teammates, he’s going to play for the people, for the fans out there, to make sure that we have the best season that we can. … My expectation for myself is to do the very best I can, every play, every rep. Hustle, run to the ball, just the key things that make you a fierce offensive lineman.”
If Nwaiwu is able to continue his success against SEC competition, the Sooners will have at least one hole filled in their front five. With renowned o-line coach Bill Bedenbaugh now working with the former All-Conference honoree, there is a good chance Nwaiwu’s play will improve from where he was in 2023.
Despite being one of four transfers along the offensive line, Nwaiwu said that the transition from UNT to OU wasn’t difficult, crediting the culture in Norman and the people within the Sooners’ program for helping him with any challenges he faced.
“Honestly I thought (the transition from UNT to OU) was going to be hard, but the people here made it very easy,” Nwaiwu said. “They’re very welcoming, any problem that I had they could help me. Any questions, they helped me.”
Oklahoma’s spring game is just one week away, so the former North Texas offensive lineman will experience his first live action at Owen Field, with plenty of fans in attendance eager to see how Nwaiwu performs in Crimson and Cream.
With 19 starts over the past two seasons, a good track record of production and leadership skills as well as a solid relationship with Littrell, the path looks clear for Nwaiwu to have a big impact on the Sooners’ offensive during his first year at OU.
President Donald Trump posted a statement on Truth Social:
“It is my Great Honor to endorse MAGA Warrior, Mike Mazzei, who is running for Governor of Oklahoma, a State which I love, and WON BIG — All 77 out of 77 Counties in 2016, 2020, and 2024, and with the Highest Popular Vote Count, EVER!
As a successful Businessman, and former Chairman of the State Senate Finance Committee, and later, as Oklahoma’s Secretary of Budget, Mike knows the AMERICA FIRST Policies required to Grow our Economy, Create GREAT Jobs, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., and Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE. As your next Governor, Mike will fight tirelessly to Support our Amazing Farmers and Ranchers, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.
Mike Mazzei has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Governor of Oklahoma — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
The Oklahoma State Cowboys and the USC Upstate Spartans meet in the first game of the Tuscaloosa Regional on Friday.
The Cowboys (37-20) and the Spartans (33-28) have never met on the diamond. Both enter the game on hot streaks. Oklahoma State didn’t win the Big 12 Tournament, but the Cowboys have won 11 of their last 14 games. The Spartans won the Big South Conference Tournament champions and have won 14 of their last 16 games.
The game is the first of two in Tuscaloosa. The second game features the host school, Alabama, facing Alabama State. The winners of the first two games will meet Saturday for a trip to the regional final on Sunday.
Oklahoma State fans can keep up with the game here, including lineups and inning by inning details on the game. Check out Oklahoma State On SI’s NCAA Tournament Central for everything related to the Tuscaloosa Regional.
Game Details
Oklahoma State vs. USC Upstate
Time: 1 p.m. central
TV: ESPN+ (Derek Jones & Jared Mitchell on the call). NOTE: TV is subject to change without notice. Game times and TV for games played after Friday will be announced.
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network & The Varsity Network App/93.7 KSPI-FM or okla.state/GetVarsity (Rex Holt on the call)
OSU Batting Order
The batting order for Friday’s game will be posted here when it is released by the team.
Tuscaloosa Regional
Location: Tuscaloosa, Ala. Venue: Sewell-Thomas Stadium (5,867).
Friday’s Games
Game 1: USC Upstate vs. Oklahoma State, 1 p.m., ESPN+
Game 2: Alabama State vs. Alabama, 6 p.m., ESPN+
Saturday’s Games
Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, TBA (elimination game)
Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, TBA (advances to Sunday’s final)
Sunday’s Games
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 (elimination game)
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5
Monday’s Game
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (if necessary)
(Times subject to change for TV purposes)
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Brent Swadley, owner of Swadley’s Bar-B-Q, found guilty in fraud trial
A jury convicted Brent Swadley of fraud for inflating invoices involving Oklahoma state park restaurants.
A jury convicted Brent Swadley, owner of a string of popular Oklahoma barbecue restaurants, at his fraud trial and chose prison time as his punishment.
The 12 jurors reached their unanimous verdict Thursday, May 28, in a felony case that focused on Swadley’s inflated bills for the renovation and operation of restaurants at six state parks.
Jurors found Swadley, 55, guilty of one count of conspiracy to defraud the state and all five counts of presenting fraudulent claims to the state.
They chose five years in prison and a $25,000 fine as his punishment for the conspiracy. They agreed on one year in prison and a $10,000 fine as punishment on each fraudulent claims count.
Oklahoma County District Judge Susan Stallings could order Swadley to serve the time back to back for a total of 10 years.
Jurors voted for the maximum fines but showed leniency on prison time. Jurors could have chosen prison sentences totaling 20 years.
Sheriff’s deputies led Swadley from the courtroom in handcuffs to be taken to jail. Formal sentencing was set for July 16.
His defense attorney, David Smith, said, “We are not done fighting.”
Still to be decided by the judge is restitution. Prosecutors said Swadley defrauded the state of at least $3.1 million.
The owner of Swadley’s Bar-B-Q did not testify at his trial but has been outspoken in the past that he is innocent.
“The state attorney general … is pushing a false, politically motivated narrative accusing us of purposely misleading the government. Nothing could be further from the truth,” he wrote in an open letter to Oklahomans in 2024 after he was indicted.
Jurors took only 90 minutes to reach their verdict. “It was pretty easy,” one juror told prosecutors afterward.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who is running for governor, told reporters outside the courtroom that the case was never political.
“Mr. Swadley broke the law. His arrogance has been illustrated for the last four years, and I’m very happy that justice has been done,” Drummond said.
Swadley trial ends in guilty verdict, AG Drummond ‘proud’ of prosecution
A jury unanimously found Brent Swadley guilty of defrauding the state, sentencing him to five years in prison and $25,000 fine.
“I think we in state government have a tendency to trust Oklahomans,” he added. “I think it’s a lesson for state actors. We need to not trust as we have before.”
In a news release, the attorney general said, “Today is a win for Oklahoma and for the rule of law.”
Swadley signed a contract with the state in March 2020 to remodel and operate state park restaurants. The agreement was finalized weeks before COVID-19 shutdowns began across the world.
Swadley went ahead with the remodeling, completing work at four of the parks in months. His restaurants became a huge hit as Oklahomans spent more time outdoors because of the pandemic.
Jurors heard testimony that many of the invoices sent to the state for reimbursement of construction and other costs were marked up. Some were inflated as much as 300%.Swadley operated the state park restaurants under the company name Swadley’s Foggy Bottom Kitchen. The last one opened in 2022.
The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department in April 2022 canceled its contract with Swadley’s Foggy Bottom Kitchen due to “suspected fraudulent activity and questionable business practices.”Much of the testimony centered around meat smokers sold to the state in 2021. The cancelation of the contracts came after tourism officials learned the smokers were used.
Swadley put the smokers in at Robbers Cave State Park and Quartz Mountain State Park. They had been in storage after he removed them from a Swadley’s Bar-B-Q in Ardmore.
He paid $23,680 each for the smokers in 2018, according to evidence in the case. He billed the state $51,346 each for the smokers in 2021.
A restaurant supplier testified at trial that he faked paperwork that Swadley used to support the bill to the state. “He told me to make them as expensive as I could,” Mike McWhorter told jurors.
Swadley’s defense attorneys maintained at trial that it was an understood standard business practice to inflate invoices.
“Their case is − and this is no joke − Brent Swadley was supposed to do all of this construction work and not make a dime,” Smith told jurors in his closing argument.
The attorney said Swadley became the fall guy for a mess created by Jerry Winchester, the executive director of the Tourism Department at the time, and Gino DeMarco, the deputy director.
Smith argued that Winchester knew the smokers were used and lied at trial. Winchester told jurors he thought the state was buying brand new smokers.
The defense attorney also told jurors, “What we’ve got here is a paperwork dispute, not fraud.”
Prosecutors told jurors Brent Swadley was greedy and had said the state contract might save his business during the pandemic.
“Brent Swadley believes the rules do not apply to him,” Assistant Attorney General McKenzie McMahan said in his closing argument.
The key witnesses against Swadley were former employees.
His former vice president, Curtis Breuklander, and former chief operating officer, Tim Hooper, testified invoices were marked up at Swadley’s direction.
Breuklander, 51, pleaded guilty to the conspiracy count and four of the fraudulent claim counts. “I did all of this at the direction of Brent Swadley,” he said in his plea paperwork.
Under a deal with prosecutors, Breuklander was sentenced to probation for 10 years. He stopped working for Swadley in September 2021.
Hooper, 57, also pleaded guilty to the conspiracy count. He pleaded guilty to one fraudulent claim count and no contest to another fraudulent claim count.
Under his deal, Hooper was put on probation for five years. He was fired by Swadley in 2023.
Under the state contract, Swadley’s Foggy Bottom Kitchen was reimbursed for the costs of improvements to the restaurants, up to a limit. The state also covered the company’s operating losses, at first up to $1 million a year and later up to $2,116,900 a year.
The state further paid the company management fees, at first $571,808 per year and later $1,332,000 per year.
Swadley is expected to appeal. His defense attorneys are expected to complain about the judge’s refusal to let two expert witnesses testify at trial.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
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