Oklahoma
Oklahoma LB Kip Lewis Ready to ‘Fly Around’ After Building on Last Year’s Key Experience
NORMAN — Kip Lewis’ breakthrough into the starting lineup was a revelation for Oklahoma’s defense in 2023.
The then-redshirt freshman was a little light for the ideal linebacker, but it didn’t hamper his production.
Lewis, who was described as a “ball magnet” by OU head coach Brent Venables, ended last year with 66 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack and a fumble recovery.
He blew up multiple plays on the goal line against Texas to help the Sooners get a key stop, which propelled him into a starting role down the final stretch of the year.
Now, as he enters his third year with the Sooners, he’s over 220 pounds and is ready to take on the SEC.
“I feel like it’s a good weight, being able to go fly around, hit people, knock people back,” Lewis said after Oklahoma’s practice concluded on Saturday night. “So it’ll be fun.”
Lewis brought stability alongside Danny Stutsman a year ago, and the duo is back again.
Though he performed well alongside the veteran linebacker, Lewis and the entire unit struggled to replace Stutsman’s production when he exited the second half against Kansas and then missed Bedlam due to an injury.
Venables brought Zac Alley in over the offseason to serve as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in place of Ted Roof, and Alley’s introduction helped Lewis digest the defense to get even more comfortable in Year 3 of the system.
“We call [Alley] like the mini BV. He’s got tendencies of V,” Lewis said. “So he’s amazing. He really brings out the best in us.
“… Just learning, getting, schematically wise, the defense down. It’s been amazing.”
Though Lewis is more comfortable in the defense, he won’t have to digest opposing offenses by himself.
Stutsman spurned the NFL Draft to return for another year under Venables, and his experience is crucial for his fellow linebackers as well as the entire defense.
“He brings that leader mentality, that pushing, that edge that pushed,” Lewis said. “He will bring out the best in you, and that’s the best thing about Danny, is your gonna get his best and he’s gonna motivate you to do your best.”
Lewis is looking to take another step forward, too.
Though he’s not always been the loudest guy behind the scenes, Lewis said he gained confidence from last year’s game experience and it’s helped him take on a larger leadership role in the locker room.
“Getting snaps in general, it just helps you grow as a player,” Lewis said. “Game-speed wise, you can’t replicate that in practice. I was grateful enough to be put in that position and have the opportunity to go out and play and get experience underneath my belt.
“… Now [I’m] starting to step into trying to be vocal. Trying to become better and better at that every day.”
Like the rest of the defense, Lewis is ready to show just how much he’s improved this offseason once the season starts.
But in the meantime, he’s focused on making the most of every practice in fall camp leading up to the Aug. 30 opener against Temple in Norman.
“It’s really good to get back,” he said.
Four people are in custody after Oklahoma City police seized approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine and removed dozens of animals from a home in southeast Oklahoma City on Thursday.
Police executed what they confirmed was a drug-related search warrant at a home near Southeast 15th Street and High Avenue. Authorities have not released information about what led investigators to the residence.
Drug Investigation Leads to Large Seizure
According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, officers recovered approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine from the home during the search.
Police said at least four people were taken into custody. Authorities have not released the identities of those arrested or any related charges.
Numerous Animals Removed From Property
Alongside the drug investigation, Oklahoma City Animal Welfare officers assisted in removing numerous animals from the property.
News 9 cameras captured at least 20 dogs being taken from the home, including one wearing a muzzle. Police said a horse, cats, chickens and snakes were also removed.
Neighbors watched as officers spent hours at the residence.
“This is crazy. Like this is literally crazy,” said Nisha who lives nearby.
Another resident said she saw several people in handcuffs but did not initially know what was happening.
“I saw a couple men in handcuffs. I had no idea what was going on until my neighbor,” Dora Garcia said.
Neighbors say they were aware the home had dogs but were shocked by everything else discovered.
“I knew they had dogs. Everybody over here knew they had dogs, but the rest of this is just mind-boggling,” Nisha said.
She also expressed concern about how close the investigation was to her homes.
“Too close for comfort. Way too close for comfort,” Nisha said.
Investigation Continues
Police said the search warrant was related to a drug investigation but have not released additional details about why officers targeted the home.
The investigation remains ongoing. Oklahoma City police said additional information about those in custody is expected to be released as it becomes available.
This is a developing story.
Oklahoma State and Houston have an odd tradition dating back to their matchup in 1986. Neither team has won two games in a row.
Since that game in Stillwater in 1986 the Cougars and the Cowboys have alternated victories. Houston won that game in Stillwater, 28-12. The Cowboys followed that with a win in Houston in 1987.
Then the Cougars won in 2006 in Houston, followed by an Oklahoma State win in Stillwater in 2008. The two teams met again in 2009 in Stillwater and Houston won.
That was followed in 2023 by Oklahoma State’s first visit to Houston in Big 12 action with the Cowboys claiming the victory. And, of course, there was Oklahoma State’s loss to Houston last year in Stillwater.
If things hold the form, Oklahoma State will beat Houston this October. But the Cowboys are going to have to overcome something that Houston does better than them.
What Houston Does Better Than Oklahoma State
Given that both teams have talented offenses and have the potential to dominate in the passing game, it’s safe to say that’s a draw. Same for the running game with Caleb Hawkins at Oklahoma State and the incoming Makhi Hughes at Houston.
So, it could come down to who can defend the pass the best. In that area, Houston would have a clear advantage.
In terms of yards allowed in the air last year Houston was No. 10 in the Big 12 and Oklahoma State was No. 13. There wasn’t much separating the pair. But Houston had 12 interceptions to Oklahoma State’s six, and much of that production is coming back in the form of three returning starters. Plus, the Cougars managed to replace some of the lost production with an impressive transfer.
Will James was an All-Big 12 cornerback last year who returns with three interceptions and five pass breakups in what was a breakthrough season for the junior. Both safeties are back after last season as well. Kentrell Webb is more of a ball-hawkish type safety who can also tackle (71 tackles, one interception) while Jordan Allen had 48 tackles and broke up two passes.
New corner Jalen Mayo replaces much of the lost production on the back end. The Stephen F. Austin transfer helped the Lumberjacks win the Southland Conference and an FCS playoff game as he picked off four passes. He’ll combine with James to build a formidable group of cornerbacks that can also count on another transfer, Javion White, in a 4-2-5 formation.
Game planning will be a bit easier for Oklahoma State since it plays the same 4-2-5 scheme. But, on paper, Houston’s secondary looks much better than Oklahoma State’s, which only has one returning starter in LaDanian Fields, who is a sophomore. Fields has two interceptions as a redshirt freshman. But transfers will make up for what else was lost last season.
Given the continuity on Houston’s side, it’s easy to see why their secondary is the thing they do better than Oklahoma State. Of course, the Cowboys have enough runway to nullify that advantage before they meet in October.
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Kentucky fans have been waiting all night to hear the name Otega Oweh called in the 2026 NBA Draft, and the wait is finally over. Oweh just went with the 41st pick to the Miami Heat, but his draft rights were traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. This means Oweh will be joining Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace, who just two seasons ago won the NBA Championship.
The Thunder still have one of the best young cores in the NBA, and now they have added to it by bringing in the Kentucky star Oweh. This season for the Wildcats, Oweh led the team in scoring, averaging 18.6 points per game to go with 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.8 steals.
When watching Oweh play, some might wonder how he didn’t go higher in the draft, but the goal for him early into his pro career will be to see if he can continue to develop his jump shot. Last year at Kentucky, Oweh shot 33.3% from deep, but fans felt a lot more confident when Oweh would shoot the three-point shot.
Oweh is a great defender who is going to thrive playing for the Thunder, who are a team that works harder than any other team on the defensive end of the floor. Oweh can be a player for the Thunder who can come off the bench and play really hard on the defensive end of the floor, taking away steals and getting to the rim.
When it comes to getting to the rim, there was no player in college basketball better than Oweh last season. He will be able to do this in the league, and if there is nothing there, he can kick the ball out to an open shooter. Being able to drive and kick in the NBA is very important, and I believe Oweh will do this at a high level.
The goal now for Oweh will be to play really well in the NBA Summer League to prove to the Thunder that he has to be on the team next season. While Oweh’s shooting issue doesn’t make him a prototypical NBA guard, BBN knows this kid can play. He will prove in the NBA Summer League that no team can stop him from getting to the rim. It will be great to see him paired with SGA and Wallace. The fit between the Thunder and Oweh makes a ton of sense, and he could make this roster.
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