Oklahoma

Oklahoma Early Enrollees: ‘Role Model’ RB Daylan Smothers Looking to a Bright Future

Published

2 years ago

January 25, 2023

Oklahoma Early Enrollees: ‘Role Model’ RB Daylan Smothers Looking to a Bright Future

Editor’s Notice: That is Half 7 of a 14-part collection on Oklahoma’s early enrollees within the 2023 recruiting class.

Many instances, graduating highschool early and launching one’s school soccer profession pays off. Many instances, it doesn’t.

Whereas early enrollees are navigating new realms of ache and dedication, quite a lot of their associates are again house — taking part in basketball, working monitor or simply hanging out and taking full benefit of the affliction referred to as “senioritis.”

In Oklahoma’s case, 14 newcomers have chosen to make that sudden transition from boys to males. Jerry Schmidt’s winter exercises might sound unattainable at first, after which the summer time grind is even tougher. In between, the teaching employees takes over, and spring soccer follow places them forward of their summer time counterparts.

On this collection, AllSooners examines every of the 14 newcomers and initiatives their impression on Brent Venables’ soccer staff in 2023.

— — — —

One would possibly suppose Daylan Smothers simply couldn’t wait to place highschool behind him.

The central determine of a residency snafu that led one college to forfeit a whole season and value one other college his senior yr of eligibility, Smothers has left prep soccer in North Carolina for the trials of big-time school soccer at Oklahoma.

However that’s not why the proficient working again enrolled early at OU. He’s not hiding from his previous, however reasonably striding towards a brighter future.

“I don’t essentially suppose it’s placing highschool behind him,” mentioned Sam Greiner, who was nearly Smothers’ highschool coach final yr earlier than the state declared him ineligible. “As a result of he’s a relationships man. He’s very dedicated to the individuals he’s been round and touched. He desires them to do in addition to himself. In order that facet, he’ll all the time keep shut and grounded to the place he got here from. That’s what makes him particular.

RB Daylan Smothers

5-11, 182
Charlotte, NC
247 Sports activities: 4-star, No. 306 total, No. 19 RB
Rivals: 4-star, unranked total, No. 11 RB
On3: 3-star, unranked total, No. 44 RB
ESPN: 4-star, No. 232 total, No. 12 RB

Background: The speedy Smothers gained North Carolina’s Mr. Soccer Award when he rushed for 1,206 yards and scored 12 touchdowns in 10 video games — as a sophomore. He then outdid these numbers with 1,581 yards, 28 touchdowns and a visit to the state championship sport his junior season. Nonetheless, Smothers didn’t play soccer as a senior in 2022 as a result of he switched faculties and was declared ineligible on account of a state residency challenge (he couldn’t return to his old style as a result of they self-reported the issue and forfeited all their video games in 2021). Smothers selected OU over Florida State, North Carolina State and others.

2023 Projection: The opposite aspect of Smothers not taking part in soccer final yr is that he’s the freshest of the Sooners’ younger quartet of working backs. Jovantae Barnes was second on the staff in carries and yards final yr, and he and Gavin Sawchuk exploded for greater than 100 yards within the Cheez-It Bowl towards a great Florida State protection. However don’t count on Smothers or fellow freshman Kalib Hicks to sit down quietly behind them. Smothers’ velocity rivals that of Sawchuk, and Jeff Lebby’s historical past as an offensive coordinator signifies he’ll use a handful of backs once more this season. Each freshman are early enrollees, in order that they’ll have to double their efforts this offseason on selecting up move protections and catching the soccer.

“Now, his dream and his ardour of what he desires to turn into, sure, that’s sooner or later and that’s what he’s centered on. However he gained’t transfer previous the rear view mirror. He’ll all the time have a look at the place he got here from to recollect, you realize, this isn’t only a mission for himself, however to indicate the place he got here out of and what the can do.”

The small print are now not vital. However like most highschool athletes who’re declared ineligible, Smothers wasn’t the one accountable when he transferred from Chambers Excessive throughout city to West Charlotte Excessive.

Smothers could have moved on to larger and higher issues in Norman, however wanting again to final Could, the unhealthy information was troublesome to take.

“We had been going by way of spring exercises,” Greiner instructed AllSooners.

It was as shut as Greiner got here to teaching Smothers. He hasn’t performed since. Nonetheless, Smothers made an impression on his new teammates and within the college group.

“The best factor about him is his management qualities,” Greiner mentioned. “Very hardly ever in my life do I see extraordinarily nice leaders at that age. One in every of ‘em was my ‘son,’ Braheam Murphy. He’s at West Level now. (Murphy got here out of a troublesome household scenario and lived with Greiner and his household whereas successful the 2017 state championship and graduating from Harding College Excessive College to a scholarship at Military.)

“Daylan Smothers might be the next-best chief I’ve ever seen, and I’ve solely gotten to witness it firsthand for a short while. However he makes everybody else higher round him. What meaning, mainly, his work ethic in drills, the issues he does, makes everybody need to carry out at the next stage.”

Oklahoma’s 2023 early enrollees

Greiner described a scene that unfolded not too long ago at Ranson Center College — a West Charlotte feeder the place Smothers attended — that illustrates Smothers‘ persona and attraction.

Scroll to Proceed

At some point, then-Carolina Panthers star working again Christian McCaffrey dropped by to speak to the youngsters.

“And everyone’s like, ‘Oh, that’s Christian McCaffrey! That’s cool.’ When Daylan ‘Hollywood’ Smothers would stroll into the center college, the entire center college would mainly simply shut down. That’s how particular he’s to that group. I’m not simply saying that. I’m telling you the legit reality.

“He’s a job mannequin.”

Daylan Smothers

Daylan Smothers by way of Twitter

Smothers went from anticipating a giant senior yr at West Charlotte to basically turning his full consideration to recruiting. OU dropped a scholarship supply on March 20, earlier than he was dominated ineligible, and he spent June on the street visiting his prime faculties. He visited OU on June 3, North Carolina State on June 17, and Florida State on June 24.

On July 14, he dedicated to the Sooners — thanks largely to the persistence and dedication of working backs coach DeMarco Murray.

“It was the connection I constructed with coach Murray and on my go to,” Smothers instructed On3. “It simply felt like house for me. … DeMarco Murray did an awesome job with recruiting me and my household.”

“He’s a sport changer,” Greiner mentioned. “He’s completely different. That’s why DeMarco Murray closely recruited him. It wasn’t that he wasn’t this prime man on the Rivals and all that stuff. Lots of people didn’t see his attributes as a result of they’re unknown except you get to fulfill him and you realize him personally. That’s what makes him elite.”

Daylan Smothers and DeMarco Murray
Daylan Smothers by way of Twitter

Murray — himself a bodily working again who carried the soccer lots in highschool, school and the NFL — noticed a proficient athlete with contemporary legs.

“He’s mainly bought no put on and tear on the tires from his senior yr,” Greiner mentioned.

So he’s a job mannequin, an inspiration, a resolute younger man, and he’s contemporary.

He’s additionally a fairly particular soccer participant, having obtained North Carolina’s Mr. Soccer Award as a sophomore at Vance Excessive College (now Chambers Excessive College; Greiner is among the many electors for the consideration introduced yearly by the Charlotte Observer) and compiled 2,787 speeding yards and 40 touchdowns in his two seasons because the starter.

OU coach Brent Venables admires the dedication it took for Smothers to persevere final yr. He additionally likes how Murray remained dedicated to recruiting Smothers. Venables additionally applauded Smothers’ versatility, suggesting he could possibly be a “monster security” on the defensive aspect of the ball.

“He is one of many additional guys away from Norman, however he by no means flinched as nicely,” Venables mentioned. “If you realize something about North Carolina and North Carolina State, in that state it isn’t a straightforward factor to compete with. Belief me.

“He’s going to be an awesome working again for us. However Daylan Smothers, I really like his versatility.”

“He’s gonna be actually quick,” Greiner mentioned. “He’s in all probability the quickest working again they’ve on the roster proper now. And he has, I believe, a novel capacity to play the sport.

“However that’s not the intangibles that make him nice.”

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Oklahoma transfer DB commits to Colorado

Published

2 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Press Room

Oklahoma transfer DB commits to Colorado

Oklahoma transfer DB Makari Vickers committed to Colorado, he told On3’s Hayes Fawcett. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Vickers spent two seasons in Norman, but took a redshirt this past year. He played in four games, totaling one tackle in that time. That came after eight appearances in 2023 when he had eight tackles and a pass defended as a true freshman.

Vickers played high school football at Tallahassee (FL) Robert F Munroe Day School, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 83 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and X account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes have once again been active in the transfer portal so far this cycle. Makari Vickers marks the seventh commitment for Colorado and is the latest splash on Wednesday.

Colorado picked up a notable commitment from former Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter on Wednesday. He will join elite signee Julian Lewis in the Buffs’ quarterback room and arrives as the No. 11-ranked quarterback to hit the portal so far, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings.

This past season, Salter threw for 1,886 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding 579 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground. That came after a breakout 2023 campaign when he had 2,876 passing yards and 32 touchdowns in the air to go with 1,089 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in the running game.

Over the course of four seasons, Salter had 5,889 yards, 56 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, a 58.7% completion percentage, 2,006 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. He will have one year of eligibility remaining as he makes his way to Boulder.

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Oklahoma

No. 24 Michigan Wolverines vs. No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners Preview: Not just bluffin

Published

10 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Press Room

No. 24 Michigan Wolverines vs. No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners Preview: Not just bluffin

With just two losses on the season — by a combined four points — the No. 24 Michigan Wolverines are in a good place. Dusty May’s squad is on track for an NCAA Tournament berth but would like more, which means the Wolverines could use another solid non-conference win on the resume. The last opportunity for that is Wednesday in Charlotte, with the No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners the final Power Five opponent left on the schedule.

Like the entire SEC, the undefeated Sooners are making headlines this season. On its way to winning the Battle 4 Atlantis, Oklahoma has four wins over top-100 KenPom teams, the same total as Michigan. The Wolverines (23rd) sit higher in the analytics than the Sooners (37th), but the polls have the teams flipped. This should be a good one at the Jumpman Invitational.

No. 24 Michigan Wolverines (8-2) vs. No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners (10-0)

Date & Time: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 9 p.m. ET
Location: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
TV/Streaming: ESPN2

Oklahoma has been solid on both ends of the floor, with not many deficiencies in its profile. Freshman Jeremiah Fears, the No. 44 player in the 247Sports Composite, has been as advertised, averaging 16.7 PPG while leading the team with 4.7 APG. Fears and friends play with some pace, move the ball well, and like to take threes; this will be a test for the Wolverines after a couple rougher defensive performances.

The last time these teams met was in the Second Round of the 2008-09 NCAA Tournament as Blake Griffin’s squad took down the No. 10 Wolverines, who rejoined the Big Dance after an 11-year absence. Present day, this is the third edition of the Jumpman Invitational, completing one rotation. Michigan lost to North Carolina in 2022 and Florida last season, with both games coming down to the wire.

One Big Question: Where is the discipline?

I am not going to talk about turnovers every single game because unfortunately they do not seem to be going away. What I do think is worth mentioning is the general concept of discipline and patience, specifically against athletic teams that like to run. Against the Razorbacks, Michigan played right into their hand by rushing passes, leading to easy looks in transition off sloppy mistakes.

The Wolverines will need to lock down Fears on Wednesday, which becomes much more doable in the half court. Oklahoma has a top-50 eFG rate, so playing disciplined defense, but also smart offense, is essential to avoid yet another subpar defensive performance. The Sooners are not a great offensive rebounding team, but cleaning up the glass also remains an area where the defense must show more attention. Michigan has a solid defense (No. 15) already, and cleaning up its wild play will only make it even stronger.

One Thing to Watch: Play the percentages

Michigan ranks 39th in adjusted offense, but has the 15th-best eFG rate — and sixth-highest two-point shooting percentage in the country. The biggest reason for this gap is obviously turnovers, but even with this frustrating Achilles heel, the Wolverines have posted over 1.20 PPP in the last two games, mostly due to an insane 68.4-percent shooting mark inside the arc. Basically when the Wolverines get a shot off, good things are going to happen; it is those shotless, turnover-filled possessions that have been limiting this team.

The Sooners rank in the 200s in two-point defense, though many of those struggles were to begin the season. Still, the Danny Wolf-Vlad Goldin combo should feast again. Wolf has seen his turnover rate slowly drop, while Goldin is hitting 80 percent of his shots at the rim over the past four games after missing some bunnies earlier this year. Eventually teams will figure out how to stop this duo (or at least sell out to prevent it), but until that comes the Wolverines should continue hammering this advantage.

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Thunder go cold, will ‘learn’ from NBA Cup loss

Published

17 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Press Room

Thunder go cold, will ‘learn’ from NBA Cup loss

Tim MacMahon, ESPN Staff WriterDec 18, 2024, 01:37 AM ET
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- Joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009
- Covers the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks
- Appears regularly on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM

LAS VEGAS — The only good thing about the Oklahoma City Thunder’s offensive performance in Tuesday’s NBA Cup final is that it doesn’t count toward regular-season statistics.

The Thunder had their worst offensive outing of the season in a 97-81 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, hitting what would be season lows in points, field goal percentage (33.7%) and 3-point percentage (15.6%).

“I never look at it as like, we just missed shots,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “I could have done a better job shaking us free at different times in that game, but we can learn from it.”

Oklahoma City superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had an uncharacteristically inefficient 21-point performance. He was 8-of-24 from the field, including 3-of-12 when Milwaukee’s Andre Jackson Jr. was the primary defender, according to ESPN Research tracking.

“He did a good job tonight, but I don’t think he was the reason for my type of night,” said Gilgeous-Alexander, who is averaging 30.3 points on 51.0% shooting this season. “The way I felt tonight, I still got to my spots. I just didn’t make anything. Things like that happen. Nights like that happen. Yeah, he played hard, was aggressive. Nothing I haven’t seen before. I felt like it was me missing more so.”

Gilgeous-Alexander went 2-of-9 from 3-point range. He was the only Oklahoma City player to make multiple 3s, as the Thunder shot 5-of-32 from long distance.

“It’s hard to win that way,” said Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, who scored 14 of his 16 points in the first half. “You just sometimes have those nights.”

According to Second Spectrum tracking, the Thunder had an expected 3-point percentage of 34.9% based on the quality of their looks against the Bucks. The 19.3% drop-off to Oklahoma City’s actual 3-point percentage was the Thunder’s most drastic of the season.

“I think for the most part we got good looks,” said Thunder forward Jalen Williams, who finished with 18 points on 8-of-20 shooting. “When you’re playing a good team, you’ve got to continually generate good looks and also make shots. I feel like that was just one of those nights. Defensively, I thought we were pretty good. Sometimes, it just doesn’t go in and you have to have enough will to keep doing the right thing and moving the ball and let the chips lay where they lay.”

Oklahoma City made only one of 17 3-point attempts in the first half, but the Thunder stayed in the game primarily by attacking the paint against the bigger Bucks. The Thunder scored 26 points in the paint and were 13-of-16 from the free throw line in the first half.

Those numbers plummeted in the second half, when the Bucks held the Thunder to only 31 points as Milwaukee turned a one-point halftime margin into a lopsided final. Oklahoma City scored only eight points in the paint and attempted only six free throws in the second half.

“We missed some shots that we normally make,” Thunder guard Alex Caruso said. “They do a good job of crashing down in the paint and we got some easy ones early and then just missed some open [3s] that could have spread them out, bring them out of the paint a little bit. … At the end of the day, you need a couple to go in if you’re going to win at a high level.”

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