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Oklahoma flips OK State QB prospect Niu of Utah

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Oklahoma flips OK State QB prospect Niu of Utah


Oklahoma completed the flip of three-star Oklahoma State quarterback pledge Jett Niu on Wednesday morning following the start of the early signing period.

Niu, a 6-foot-2 quarterback from Lehi, Utah, is ESPN’s No. 73 pocket passer prospect in the 2025 class. Committed to Oklahoma State since September, Niu’s commitment comes two days after the Sooners hired Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and fills a hole in the Sooners’ 2025 class that had remained after four-star passer Kevin Sperry (No. 132 in the ESPN 300) flipped his pledge to Florida State late last month.

“After much thought and reflection, I’ve decided to decommit from Oklahoma State and commit to the University of Oklahoma,” Niu wrote in a statement posted to social media. “I am incredibly grateful for the amazing support and opportunities I received from Oklahoma State and their coach staff. Thank you for believing in me and helping me grow. I’m looking forward to this new chapter at OU and can’t wait to see what the future holds!”

Initially committed to Appalachian State, Niu gave his pledge to Oklahoma State on Sept. 10 over interest from Washington State, Arizona and Arkansas State, among others. Niu’s offer from Washington State notably came with Arbuckle, the Sooners’ new 29-year-old playcaller, and the pair will now land at Oklahoma as the program prepares for potential change with the futures of quarterbacks Jackson Arnold and Michael Hawkins Jr. uncertain in 2025.

Niu emerged as a breakout star in 2023 when he threw for 3,005 yards with 33 touchdowns in his junior season at Utah’s Lehi High School. He led the program to a 9-3 finish with 2,857 yards and 29 touchdowns to 10 interceptions as a senior.

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Minutes after Niu’s pledge, Oklahoma lost the commitment of four-star wide receiver Cortez Mills (No. 120 in the ESPN 300) upon his flip to Nebraska Wednesday.

Mills’ exit marks the latest departure from the Sooners’ wide receiver class and leaves Oklahoma without a pass catcher committed in the 2025 cycle. Four-star wide receiver Marcus Harris (No. 138 in the ESPN 300) decommitted from the Sooners on Sunday before giving his pledge to Washington on Wednesday morning. Three-star pass catcher Gracen Harris remains uncommitted after pulling his pledge from the Sooners on Monday.

Oklahoma began the early signing period Wednesday with the No. 16 recruiting in ESPN’s latest class rankings for the 2025 cycle.



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Utah Jazz vs Portland Trail Blazers Summer League recap and final score

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Utah Jazz vs Portland Trail Blazers Summer League recap and final score


The Utah Jazz won their final summer league game against the Portland Trail Blazers 83-79. It was a fun game that came down to the wire, with a few Jazz players showing promise that could help the team.

The player who surprisingly didn’t help as much as you’d hope was Blake Hinson, who shot just 1/9 from three. Hinson was a sharpshooter for the Jazz last season, and it’s too bad that he couldn’t show that shooting stroke in the summer league. It’s likely not a big deal, but it would have been nice to see that shooting continue in the summer league. It does make you wonder why all the players who played for Utah last season, or will be getting regular minutes next year, didn’t shoot well in Las Vegas. Is that a trend? Or is it just a coincidence? It makes you wonder if the Jazz have been running hard practices, or if the players are tired from enjoying their time in Las Vegas? There’s no way to really know, but it’s interesting.

Utah’s strongest performer, in terms of plus-minus, was Bez Mbeng. He was a team-leading +14 and, even though he didn’t shoot the ball well either, his defense and intensity really shows on the floor. In this one, Mbeng had 4 steals and handled the ball for a lot of the game. He was also one of the top players in minutes with 20 in this one. I personally really like Mbeng and I’m rooting for him to make the team. I do think he can be a defensive-focused do-it-all player who could really contribute if he keeps improving.

Justin Harmon scored the ball well, leading the team in scoring with a team-leading 21 points. He had 6 free throws in this one and was a positive contributor overall. Harmon could be a nice addition to the training camp roster and, if he can show out, maybe he can earn himself a roster spot. He’s worth watching going forward at the very least.

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And with that, the summer league is now over, and we now enter a long summer that will lead into one of the most exciting eras of Jazz basketball I can remember. It will be led by the best prospect in Jazz history to actually suit up for the Utah Jazz, and I can’t wait to see him develop into a superstar wearing the purple and blue.



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Here’s who will lead Utah Valley University as its next president

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Here’s who will lead Utah Valley University as its next president


Jon Anderson will be charged with moving the Orem school forward following the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk on campus last year.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Incoming UVU President Jon Anderson poses for a photo with his family after an event announcing his selection at Utah Valley University in Orem on Friday, July 17, 2026.



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Beaver County residents set up thousands of sandbags ahead of flashfloods

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Beaver County residents set up thousands of sandbags ahead of flashfloods


BEAVER COUNTY, Utah — A massive community effort is underway as volunteers and Beaver County crews distribute thousands of sandbags to protect homes from the potential path of floodwaters.

After the Cottonwood Fires, residents have been waiting for weeks for relief to come in the form of rain, though officials now warn it may come all at once with an increased risk of flooding and debris flow.

Emergency Service Director Les Whitney believes that the fire has left plenty of debris to bring trouble for residents.

“We got a lot of water. We’re bringing debris with it, so tree branches, tree limbs, logs, lots of different size firewood, and that’s all in the creeks. We’re worried about that plugging up our bridges and stuff, so we have heavy equipment and excavators located in strategic places so that we can keep those bridges open,” said Whitney.

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An estimated 140 homes and condominiums were spared from the flames, but remain in the paths of floodwaters.

Residents can also pick up sandbags at the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office or at the Beaver County Rodeo Fairgrounds.





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