Oklahoma Target Williams Nwaneri Says He's 'Gonna Let Everything Play Out'
TULSA — What was Williams Nwaneri’s motivation for wearing Oklahoma gloves and OU shoes during his scrimmage against Tulsa Union on Thursday night?
“I had to show love,” Nwaneri said after his Lee's Summit North squad opened the preseason with an 18-7 one-quarter victory over Union.
Nwaneri, the No. 1 recruit in the nation per On3 and the consensus No. 1 edge rusher in high school football in the 2024 recruiting class, said he’s had the OU gear since taking his official visit in June.
But on Monday, the 6-foot-6, 270-pound Nwaneri broke hearts throughout Sooner Land — particularly among the coaching staff in the Switzer Center — by verbally committing to Missouri. He even said he chose the Tigers over Georgia, meaning OU somehow finished third in his eyes even though the consensus opinion for the last several months was that Oklahoma was leading the pack.
And yet, there was Nwaneri, wearing OU apparel for his scrimmage in the Sooner State.
Was it a tribute? Or trolling?
Could OU fans (and Missouri fans) read anything into it — such as Brent Venables’ staff is still recruiting him, and he’s openly still considering the Sooners?
Nwaneri’s answer was somewhat cryptic.
“Oh yeah. They’re still recruiting me and all that,” he said. “But I’m gonna let everything play out. I’ll let the whole season play out. I don’t know. I’m committed to Mizzou though. Just having fun with it. Showing love. All that.”
Nwaneri looked relaxed and comfortable on Thursday night as he took the time to explain to a trio of media why he chose Missouri over Oklahoma (and Georgia, apparently).
“Really I felt like I was just most comfortable with that coaching staff, and it as close to home and all that," he said. “So I felt like it was just the right decision for me at the time.”
He also explained why he held Oklahoma in such high regard for so long.
“Mostly just my relationships with coach (Miguel) Chavis and coach (Todd) Bates,” he said. “I probably had one of my best relationships with them. It was always love with the coaching staff. And I like the scheme there and all that.”
Nwaneri explained that the decision was not an easy one. He said he was nervous in the buildup to his announcement.
“It w\as very emotional,” he said. “Like, the hardest decision I’ve had to make. But I just had to do what I felt was best for me.”
Throughout it all, Nwaneri said he leaned on his family and LSN head coach Jamar Mozee for advice.
“My family,” he said. “My head coach, Coach Mozee, had a big say in my decision and guided me throughout the whole process. Definitely my family and my coach.”
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