Four-Star DL Nigel Smith II commits to Oklahoma
Four-star defensive lineman Nigel Smith II of Melissa (TX) High announced his commitment to Oklahoma Friday night.
The 6-foot-5, 253 pounder chose the Sooners over Ohio State, Penn State, and Texas A&M.
“It was a very close race but in the end I felt the most comfortable playing for Chavis and Bates and under coach venables. I feel like OU can win a natty in the next couple years and I wanna be a part of that. They were top of the list in what I looked for in development on and off the field, in it feeling like home and that I can wake up every day in Norman playing football or not and feel happy, and that it’s a family atmosphere. I love their SOUL program and how they are with God. And I had prayed about the lord giving me a sign and he answered with the right signs.”
His relationship with the coaching staff and their plan for him played a role in his decision as well.
“I’m the closest with coach Bates and Chavis for sure, but very close with Venables talking to him a couple times a week. I also have a great relationship with coach Valai. They plan to play me at DE pretty much exactly like how Rondell (#80) plays in their defense right now.”
The Lone Star State defensive lineman joins coach Brent Venables and the Sooners’ top 20 class in the 2024 team rankings. He is accompanied by five-star defensive lineman David Stone, four-star running back Taylor Tatum, and others.
Nigel Smith Recruiting Profile
Smith ranks as the No. 100 player in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also tabs in as the No. 15 defensive lineman and the No. 18 player in the state of Texas.
Scouting Summary
On3’s Scouting and Rankings team writes this about him as a prospect:
“Flexible, technically savvy defensive lineman who looks to be a mismatch as an interior pass rusher. Measured a shade over 6-foot-4, 260 pounds prior to his senior season. Has a frame to keep adding more weight. Does not have high end length for the position. Lines up as a big defensive end and slides inside to exploit mismatches. A loose, flexible athlete who plays with outstanding bend. Gets low off the snap. Shows active, quick hands. Skill set as a pass rusher is amplified when he faces interior offensive linemen. Does a nice job disengaging as a run defender. Productive as a junior tallying 11 sacks and 17 tackles for loss. Solid athlete, but does not appear to be overly twitchy. Comes from athletic stock, as his father played basketball at SMU. Could play as a 4i or eventually grow into a defensive tackle.”
He currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $103K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.
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