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.
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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.
Kip Lewis returning for his redshirt senior season with the Oklahoma Sooners was one of the biggest wins of the offseason. Lewis has built an impressive career in Norman, racking up 209 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and five sacks with two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns.
Beyond his production, Lewis has become one of the emotional leaders of the Oklahoma locker room. Although the NFL was an option, Lewis believed another season learning under Brent Venables would put him in the best position for long-term success.
In a video shared by Oklahoma, Lewis explained the factors that led him to return to Norman for another season.
“I talked to a lot of people,” Lewis said. “Mostly, my family and then my dad. He was just giving me key points that he felt like I should have come back… Mostly talked to a couple of my teammates like John (Mateer) and Isaiah (Sategna), getting their thoughts on what their plan was. I asked Danny (Stutsman) for advice. Talked to him for a little bit. Advice from Danny really stood out to me.”
Getting advice from Stutsman likely played a significant role in Lewis’ decision. Stutsman was in a similar position following a strong 2023 season. Stutsman elected to return to Norman in 2024 and had another strong individual season. That resulted in him being taken in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Lewis’ decision to return gives Oklahoma one of the most experienced and talented linebackers in the country for another season. By following the same path as Stutsman, Lewis is betting on development and another opportunity to improve his draft stock.
If he continues to lead at the level he has throughout his career, his final season in Norman could be the one that cements him as one of the top defensive players in college football.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.
TULSA, Okla — Tulsa has seen a boost in its food industry, thanks in part to a growing population.
Local News
Study shows Hispanic population boom boosting Tulsa economy
The Hispanic and Latino population has also contributed to the Oklahoma economy through restaurants, catering businesses, and food trucks.
According to a study conducted by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, the number of Hispanic and Latino individuals who have gone into the state’s food service industry has grown by more than 12,000 between 2001 and 2021.
To help continue this growth, the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation is starting up its “Lanzamiento Program” for Spanish speakers who are interested in pursuing a career in the culinary industry.
Local News
Mother Road Market hosts program for Hispanic, Latino food entrepreneurs
The classes are held in partnership with Mother Road Market for 12 weeks.
Wendy Henriquez is the owner of Sugar Crave and completed the program back in 2024.
She said it was a huge help when it came to learning the ins and outs of the industry.
It also helped her that it was all in Spanish, the language she prefers.
“All of the classes were focused on the regulations here in the United States and Oklahoma needing to be met,” she said. “In every class, we had experts talk to us about things like taking out loans, insurance, credit.”
“Wow, I mean it isn’t easy, but it’s possible,” she said. “Perseverance is important.”
Abel Aguilar is the Program Manager in charge of the Lanzamiento course.
“We believe it’s important because not only do we have a strong population of both Hispanic and Latin entrepreneurs here in Tulsa, they may not know the resources that they have available to them,” he said.
While tuition doesn’t start off as being free of charge, there are financial assistance options to help.
We Street Credit Union has also pitched in to offer funds for financial assistance so some weight can be taken off of the participant.
Aguilar also said Lobeck Taylor will work something out if finances are the only obstacle to applying.
For others interested in other resources to help kickstart their business, Avanzando Juntos is also a non-profit organization that can help.
Primarily for Spanish speakers, Avanzando Juntos helps connect business owners with grants and funding that can help eliminate some of the costs that come with starting a business.
For those interested in applying to the “Lanzamiento” Program, you can visit the Kitchen 66 website for the application.
Isabel Flores is your North & East Tulsa reporter.
Is there something you think she should know about or look into?
You can email her at Isabel.Flores@kjrh.com.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere —
1. Death of inmate at Oklahoma County Detention Center under investigation
Oklahoma County Detention Center.
• 33-year-old Dancing Feathers Whitecrow found unresponsive
• Taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead
• Active investigation ongoing
Officials are investigating the death of an inmate at the Oklahoma County Detention Center.
Officers found 33-year-old Dancing Feathers Whitecrow unresponsive just before 7 p.m. Sunday. She was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead. Whitecrow had been booked into the jail in April.
This remains an active investigation.
The Oklahoma County Criminal Investigations Division is investigating after Dancing Feathers Whitecrow, 33, died in custody.
2. Deadly hit-and-run in southwest Oklahoma City
• Pedestrian struck and killed near Southwest 61st and May
• Crash happened just before midnight
• No description of the vehicle yet
Oklahoma City Police are investigating a deadly hit-and-run that happened late Tuesday in southwest Oklahoma City.
One person was struck and killed by a vehicle near Southwest 61st and May just before midnight on Wednesday.
Police say they currently have no description of the vehicle involved.
3. Elderly Moore woman mauled to death by dog
• 86-year-old Beatrice Carruth found dead July 2nd
• Dog belonged to her son, who was previously arrested in a related incident
• Dog has been euthanized
An 86-year-old Moore woman was mauled to death in her home by her son’s dog.
Beatrice Carruth was found dead on July 2nd. Family members say the dog, a Labrador and American Pit Bull Terrier mix, had previously attacked her in May.
The dog was euthanized Monday.
The Moore Police Department arrived at the scene near Northeast 27th Street and Highland Drive to find a woman with severe injuries.
4. Cattle rescue after semi overturns on I-40 near Tinker
News 9
• Mayberry family from Oklahoma City Stockyards helped clear the scene
• 109 head of cattle in trailer; more than 80 survived
• Similar crashes have happened in recent years
A family of ranchers helped rescue cattle after a semi overturned on I-40 near Tinker Air Force Base.
The Mayberry family responded to the scene and worked to safely remove the animals. They say they’ve assisted with several similar crashes over the past four years.
A trailer carrying 62 head of cattle overturned Tuesday morning, leaving only a single westbound lane of I-40 open for hours as crews rescued trapped animals.
5. Attorney General Drummond sues Allstate over insurance practices
• Lawsuit accuses company of denying or underpaying wind and hail claims
• Alleges use of undisclosed restrictive standards
• Similar lawsuit previously filed against State Farm
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is suing Allstate, accusing the insurance company of running a scheme to deny or underpay wind and hail claims.
The lawsuit alleges Allstate used undisclosed restrictive standards to limit coverage for Oklahomans. Drummond says the company is putting profits ahead of policyholders.
A similar lawsuit was previously filed against State Farm.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Cleveland County District Court and alleges violations of state consumer protection and anti-racketeering laws.
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Editor’s note: We used AI tools to help with editing and formatting this story. A human journalist reviewed everything before publication.
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