Oklahoma Hits the Jackpot, Recruit Daylan Smothers

The Sooners are on a roll in July with their 2023 recruiting round, reeling in running back phenom Daylan Smothers. The North Carolina native chose Oklahoma over Alabama, FSU, and NC State. He joins four-star Kalib Hicksis as the second tailback to commit to Brent Venables’ program.

Nicknamed “Hollywood,” he received an offer from Oklahoma three months before taking his official trip to Norman, OK. Running backs coach and former Pro Bowler DeMarco Murray gets credit for bringing in the four-star athlete.

Murray played for Oklahoma in college and spent seven years in the NFL. His best season came in 2014 when Murray won the AP Offensive Player of the Year. The former Sooner led the league in rushing yards, rush attempts, and touchdowns on the ground.  Now on Oklahoma’s staff, he recruits his second RB of the year.

“With the relationship I built with Coach Murray, on my visit, it just felt like home for me. Being around the players and getting their point of view [on] the coaches helped me get the gist of how they really are, not only on the visit but all year long.”

-Daylan Smothers on why he chose Oklahoma

A Look at Daylan Smothers

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound running back attends West Charlotte High School in Charlotte, NC. In the last two years, he’s been named Charlotte Observer’s offensive player of the year and was named Mr. Football after his sophomore season. As a junior, “Hollywood” ran for 1,581 yards with 28 touchdowns. 

On ESPN’s Class of 2023 Top 300, Smothers’ name appears at No. 222. The four-star athlete has an 82 scout grade and is the 14th-best running back in the country. His speed is elite, with quick feet and excellent vision on the football field.