Nigel Smith Spring Media Day
Oklahoma Sooners defensive end Nigel Smith meets the press on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
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00:00 >> [INAUDIBLE] >> Really just getting to know my
00:04 teammates, we're cracking jokes, Coach Chavis.
00:09 One of my favorite parts is seeing how everybody is the same as when I was
00:13 getting recruited, Coach Chavis is the exact same.
00:17 Honestly, a little better than what I thought when I was getting recruited.
00:22 Meetings are fun, and I actually enjoy learning.
00:28 He always cracking jokes, and you kinda know when to get serious.
00:33 But just getting to know those guys, getting to work with them, and
00:37 really grow friendships, especially with these freshmen, has been really fun.
00:40 >> What have you seen from the defense, and just coming in,
00:46 how do you feel like you're gonna make an impact?
00:48 >> I feel like my goal is just to learn this playbook as quick as possible.
00:53 Spring ball, gotta get stuff down.
00:55 Coach Villamble's defense is no joke with the plays, and
00:59 just how diverse it is, and everything we have.
01:01 So I'm just trying to get these installs down, and learn everything.
01:05 We've got tips and tricks that they've been helping me with, but
01:09 throughout spring ball, kinda just see how I adjust.
01:13 That's really, I don't know how I'll adjust to just quickness of the game,
01:18 the strength, the power.
01:19 So just see how it goes throughout spring roll, and if I end up doing well,
01:23 then keep doing well, and show that I can play first, second, third down.
01:28 Whatever it is, and if not, keep working and get to that point.
01:32 >> You've got Jason, and you're here, and Stoney, so
01:36 tell me about the crazy defense plan you guys got as freshmen this spring.
01:43 >> It's been really good.
01:43 I mean, seeing these guys work their way, I didn't know how any of them were.
01:49 One of the hardest workers I've seen, especially just coming from my school,
01:52 we had a lot of hard workers.
01:53 These guys are grinders, and especially Danny, and he's a freak athlete.
02:00 He is very freakish and just very athletic and raw.
02:05 Jaden is amazing.
02:07 He's been just dogging all of these workouts.
02:09 David's been doing great as well.
02:11 And so I think that this recruiting class comes in three years,
02:16 we really will have one of the best D lines in the country just off of our coaches.
02:22 And just the talent we have right now.
02:24 >> Is it tough to temper your own expectations as a freshman?
02:27 Say I can come in here and I can play and I can do all this, and
02:30 you get here and you see seniors and juniors and fifth year guys, and
02:33 it's like, I got more to do.
02:35 >> No, it's not hard to temper any expectations.
02:38 You come here, as you're getting recruited, these coaches are honest with you.
02:41 I see Ethan Downs in front of me.
02:42 I see our Mason who really, sadly, he had got injured, but
02:46 would have had a huge season last year.
02:49 And I'm not going in thinking I'm gonna start over Ethan Downs or our Mason.
02:55 My goal is to compete, learn from these guys as much as I can because they're not
03:00 gonna be here forever and I've just seen in drills and things how much I have to
03:04 learn and how much better I need to get to be competing for a starting spot like that.
03:10 So it was never any goal to sit there and have on my mind, I'm coming here to start.
03:15 Because it's also not realistic for most guys in college football to sit there and
03:20 come here and start, especially at the D-line position.
03:22 So if I could prove I could get reps in, show Coach Chavis I could play that first
03:28 and second down, and then also that third down, I think it'll be great.
03:33 >> [INAUDIBLE] >> For
03:38 sure my family, my mom and my pops, they've been there along the journey this
03:42 entire time, every one of my games for every sport I've played.
03:47 I mean, coming up here and just showing love, I go back home and
03:52 I really miss them right now, I can't lie.
03:54 And a big motivator is also my siblings, especially I love my sisters, but
03:59 my little brother, I wanna be a great example for him.
04:02 He's 10 years old right now, but he really looks up to me and
04:06 I'm just trying to be the best I can so that he has a great role model.
04:10 >> How many sisters?
04:11 >> I have three sisters, younger sisters.
04:13 >> What's your brother's name?
04:14 >> His name's Nehemiah.
04:16 Yes, sir. >> He's 10?
04:17 >> He's 10. >> Does he like football?
04:18 >> Yes, sir, actually his first year of football was last year, I loved it.
04:21 I love getting to watch him.
04:23 >> What does that do to you, probably make you know that he's just now starting
04:26 that job?
04:28 >> It's amazing, and I'm trying to do everything I can,
04:31 especially with just how fortunate I am with things.
04:35 I'm gonna make sure I get him as much as I can, whatever he needs,
04:39 with sports, training, everything, I'm gonna make sure I'm there or
04:43 have somebody there to help him and have more than I had when I was growing up.
04:47 >> Do you see yourself in him a little bit, or
04:49 is he gonna be a different type of guy?
04:52 >> He's very, very different from me.
04:54 I don't know how he'll end up being, but I just wanna be a good role model for him.
05:01 He's definitely not as much like me in those ways, but I just love him to death.
05:08 Thank you.
05:10 Sir, no problem.