Nigel Smith Leans on Former Oklahoma Teammate to Aid Transition to Defensive Tackle

NORMAN — Nigel Smith II has a strong mentor in his corner.

The junior defensive lineman initially joined Oklahoma as a defensive end, but he’s made the move inside to defensive tackle, where he hopes to earn a role in Todd Bates’ rotation.

He’s far from the first to make the change; he watched Jonah Laulu follow the same path in Norman.

Laulu arrived as a twitchy edge rusher transfer from Hawaii, and after moving inside, he was drafted in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft and he’s earned a spot with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Laulu played in all 17 games in each of the last two seasons in Las Vegas, tallying 86 total tackles and five sacks.

The former Sooner believes that Smith has what it takes to thrive, and Smith said he still talks to Laulu frequently.

“When it happened, I had a couple calls with him, like texted him, asked what he thought,” Smith said. “And I mean, he thought it was the best move for me as well. He's talked to Bates. He knows how I play, and I mean, I'll just get certain advice. It's just one of those 'Just keep grinding.' Like, he knows I'm getting better. He just loves to see it.”

Smith has added the weight necessary to move inside, though with OU’s strength and nutrition staff in his corner, he was never too concerned about having to make a physical transformation.

“I feel like they just did a good job. Like, every part of the the staff, nutrition, I had a plan put together. The weight room, they were very patient with me and everything,” Smith said. “ … My body's able to handle that weight. My dad's a pretty big guy. And so I feel like I was just able to handle that weight and be athletic. And he knew that, so that's why I made that move.”

There are snaps to be had in Bates’ rotation.

Gracen Halton and Damonic Williams both graduated, leaving the Sooners in need of players to step up behind David Stone and Jayden Jackson.

Smith competes against Trent Wilson, Georgia State transfer Bishop Thomas and freshman James “Tank” Carrington every day, and though Smith earned plenty of praise throughout the spring, he still believes he has plenty to prove throughout fall camp.

“Just like Bates says, there's a couple, one last jump I have to take, and for me, I just need to keep stacking days,” Smith said. “Prove that I can play winning football every single day, hold myself to a high standard, and when it comes to pass rush and the run game, show that block (recognition), show I can transitional rush and also be a great pass rusher. So just keep stacking days every day.”

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