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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.”
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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.”
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“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.
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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.
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“However that’s not the intangibles that make him nice.”
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The Northern Colorado softball team left Greeley Wednesday evening for Stillwater, Oklahoma where the Bears will play in the NCAA Tournament this weekend.
Before the team bus to Denver International Airport, the UNC players, coaches and staff making the trip received a mini send-off celebration. Fans, alumni, other UNC staff and athletes were among those gathered outside of Butler-Hancock Athletic Center to send good wishes to the softball team.
UNC (27-24) is making its second straight appearance in the 64-team NCAA Tournament after winning a second consecutive Big Sky Conference Tournament title last weekend in Pocatello, Idaho.
The Bears were placed in the Stillwater region and will play No. 5 seed and site host Oklahoma State (44-1) at 3:30 p.m. Friday. The tournament’s first round is comprised of 16 four-team tournaments in double elimination format through Sunday. Michigan and Kentucky are the other two teams in Stillwater.
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University of Northern Colorado softball coach Dedeann Pendleton-Helm talks with UNC graduate and former softball player Jan Breckenridge before the softball team left Greeley Wednesday, May 15, 2024 to play in the NCAA Tournament in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Anne Delaney/Staff Reporter).
UNC played Michigan twice in Santa Barbara, California in February during its non-conference schedule and lost both games to the Wolverines, 9-1 and 4-1. Michigan led 3-1 after four innings in the first game before scoring six with a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to turn in the lopsided result. UNC led the second game 1-0 through five innings. Michigan hit a grand slam in the top of the sixth for the win.
“Everybody we play will be good,” UNC coach Dedeann Pendleton-Helm said Sunday of facing Oklahoma State. “It’s time to go to the show.”
Pendleton-Helm asked the well wishers Wednesday evening to join the team to form a large circle of about 75 people on the sidewalk near the team bus. The coach made the same request Sunday evening with those who watched the tournament selection show and the announcement of the challenging task of facing national powerhouse Oklahoma State.
On both evenings, Pendleton-Helm thanked everyone who was there and insisted the circle close tighter in a show of unity, pride and team spirit.
Pendleton-Helm has been in the UNC program for 23 months. In two seasons, the UNC teams have a 53-47 record with a regular-season Big Sky Conference title this year, the two conference tournament titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances.
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The Bears played at the University of Washington in last year’s NCAA Tournament, where they lost to the host Huskies and Minnesota in region play.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Osage, Pawnee, Washington counties until 1 a.m.
Strong to severe weather is likely Wednesday night in Northeast Oklahoma.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Kay, Noble, Osage, Pawnee, Payne and Washington counties until 1 a.m. on Thursday.
Chief Meteorologist Travis Meyer says that large hail, damaging winds and flooding are the biggest concerns, but the tornado threat will still be monitored.
News On 6 will have the latest updates on the storm timeline throughout the night.
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What are the chances for severe weather in Oklahoma on Wednesday, May 15?
A period of unsettled weather is likely to produce periodic showers and storms across a large portion of the area Wednesday night through Friday morning.
This will bring increasing rain and thunder chances, including severe weather threats, to parts of the area beginning later Wednesday night across the western half of the state before storms begin migrating eastward into parts of northeastern and eastern Oklahoma.
All modes of severe weather will be possible, with the primary threats of damaging winds and hail. A tornado threat is possible with this system, mostly along and northwest of the I-44 corridor.
Due to antecedent conditions, and the possibility of pockets of moderate to locally heavy downpours, the potential for some low-land and street level flooding will be possible before ending as the last wave in this current series moves out of the area Thursday night late into early Friday morning.
Based on the current timing, most of Friday afternoon and evening should be precip free with mostly pleasant conditions.
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What will the weather be like this weekend in Oklahoma?
This weekend some midlevel ridging should nudge northward from part of Texas into most of Oklahoma bringing dry weather, some sunshine, and highs into the mid and upper 80s both days.
South winds will continue to transport low-level moisture into the state resulting in increasing humidity values. Some minor heat index values should occur allowing values into the lower 90s.
The top-edge of the ridge positioned across far northern OK and southern Kansas may still allow a weak boundary to slide southward and stall Sunday into Monday where a complex of storms will be possible during this period.
Early next week, most data support the return of a stronger developing upper-level trough arriving from the southwest. This pattern coupled with climatology supports mentions of more spring severe weather opportunities nearing the region. As we draw closer to next week, we’ll offer more specifics regarding timing and locations.
Outages Across Oklahoma:
Northeast Oklahoma has various power companies and electric co-operatives, many with overlapping areas of coverage. Below is a link to various outage maps.
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PSO Outage Map
OG&E Outage Map
VVEC Outage Map
Indian Electric Cooperative (IEC) Outage Map
Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives Outage Map – (Note Several Smaller Co-ops Included)
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The Alan Crone morning weather podcast link from Spotify:
Regular Season Records: Dallas 50-32, Oklahoma City 57-25
Current Series Standings: Dallas 2, Oklahoma City 2
How To Watch
What to Know
On Wednesday, the Dallas Mavericks will face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder in a Western Conference playoff match at 9:30 p.m. ET at Paycom Center. Coming off a loss in a game the Mavericks were expected to win, they now face the more daunting task of proving themselves against unfavorable odds.
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The Mavericks are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week’s over/under low at 215, but even that wound up being too high. They fell to the Thunder 100-96. Dallas got off to an early lead (up 14 with 4:45 left in the first quarter), but sadly they weren’t able to maintain that momentum.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was his usual excellent self, scoring 34 points along with eight rebounds and five assists for the Thunder. The game was Gilgeous-Alexander’s fourth in a row with at least 30 points.
Coming into game 5 the Mavericks and the Thunder are all tied up with two victories apiece. So who wins this crucial Game 5 matchup? Check CBS Sports after the game to find out.
Odds
Oklahoma City is a 4-point favorite against Dallas, according to the latest NBA odds.
Bettors have moved against the Thunder slightly, as the game opened with the Thunder as a 5.5-point favorite.
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The oddsmakers are predicting a defensive showdown and set the over/under low at 212.5 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Oklahoma City has won 6 out of their last 10 games against Dallas.
