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$25 Million NIL Pledge by FEDEX to Univ of Memphis

FedEx Announces Transformational NIL Program for University of Memphis Student-Athletes​

FedEx Corp. has announced an NIL (name, image and likeness) commitment of $5 million per year for the next five years to benefit our University of Memphis student-athletes. This program presents meaningful opportunities for our student-athletes to promote key FedEx initiatives.

“FedEx has established itself as a leader in NIL with this innovative commitment to our student-athletes," said UofM President Bill Hardgrave. "The University is immensely grateful for this investment, which further strengthens the valued relationship between FedEx, the UofM and our community."

Behind the vision of FedEx with support from national industry experts Altius Sports Partners, the program will initially center around football, men’s and women’s basketball and additional women’s sports. Student-athletes will be provided the opportunity to capitalize on their name, image and likeness through opportunities that will include social media programs, in-person events, FedEx Cares initiatives and more as FedEx continues its longstanding commitment to investing in its hometown and our future leaders.

FedEx will host its first in-person NIL initiative with a tailgate experience at the Tigers' Spring Football Game on Saturday, April 20.

https://www.memphis.edu/mediaroom/releases/2024/april/uofm-fedex-nil-commitment.php
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Deion Burks steals the show at Sooners' spring game

Five catches, 174 yards, two touchdowns for Deion Burks in the first half on Saturday.

It's clear he's already a key weapon for OU heading into the fall.

Spring game tomorrow!

IT'S FOOTBALL TIME IN OKLAHOMA!
Idk about you guys, but I'm stoked to see all the new acquisitions and to see how far we have developed young talent! As it stands right now, we should have a decent first season in the SEC. I think if we can pull off Hickman/Faaiu, a decent OT (yet to be determined who), and get 1-2 of the DT's in the portal (Williams, Toia, Lole, or maybe Barrow if we strike out on the first three), my expectations could be a little higher. Some things I'll be watching:
  1. The OL in it's entirety. Including the projected 2nd and 3rd team OL. Really bummed Akinkunmi and Hatchett won't be able to play.
  2. Can Josh Bates improve on the snap issues that were reported earlier in spring practice?
  3. The entire TE room. Sharp looks pretty good and I still haven't given up on Helms. We all know Mitchell is going to be a DUDE but I'm sure he still has some learning to do before he plays a super significant role.
  4. Jayden Gibson. 6'5 with 4.4-4.5 speed? YES PLEASE! Deion Burks with his explosiveness and deep threat potential? YES PLEASE!
  5. With injuries at receiver we should hopefully see more Pettaway (unless he's injured too) I have high hopes for this kid.
  6. We all know JFA has one of the highest ceilings on the team. I'm not worried about him but still want to see how much he's developed. Hawkins playing so well this spring bodes well for JFA in my opinion. Iron sharpens iron!
  7. Dasan at LB. He's great in obvious rushing situations but how much has he improved in coverage?
  8. Jackson and Stone...Obviously lol
  9. Excited to see Dez Malone play. Woody is pretty consistent as is and we all know Gentry is a baller when he's healthy, but how will Dez fit into the mix?
  10. Most of the playsheets should be pretty bare compared to what they will by seasons start but how will Alley and Littrell call the game?
  11. MAXIMUM 1-2 jet sweeps...Absolutely no more than that lol
Hopefully the weather doesn't cause too many issues. I for one, am less concerned about this team than I was going into spring but still have to see what plays out tomorrow before I get unrealistically hopeful😂

Sooners DB Justin Harrington expected to enter transfer portal

The reports are true... We can confirm Justin Harrington will, indeed, enter the transfer portal.

OU holds off BYU rally, wins 12-6

After an impressive win over BYU on Thursday night, OU looked to seal the series on Friday night in game two. Coming into this one, the Sooners had won their last five and were aiming to win what could be their final series in Provo.

With tremendous success coming from Braden Davis in game one, Oklahoma hoped to see similar results from Kyson Witherspoon on Friday. However, the game did not start in an ideal way for him, with BYU getting on the scoreboard first thanks to a solo home run in the bottom of the inning. The Cougars led 1-0 after one.

It did not take long for OU to tie this one up, as Michael Snyder launched a solo shot to tie it up at 1-1. The Oklahoma bats were kept quiet outside of the one Snyder blast, pushing it to 1-1 headed into the bottom of the second.

The defenses remained strong in the third as neither team was able do any work at the plate. The score stayed at 1-1 going into the fourth in Provo.

As both pitchers ran up their pitch counts, the Sooners' bats finally found their way. Anthony Mackenzie launched an RBI double off the wall in left center, and it didn't take long for Mackenzie to find home plate himself, as Kendall Pettis shot an RBI single into left pushing the Oklahoma lead to 3-1. It just kept getting worse for BYU. With a Jason Walk two-run double and an Easton Carmichael two-run homer, Oklahoma quickly extended their lead to 8-1 after the top of the fourth. This marked seven runs in the frame. OU led 8-3 through four.

The fifth inning ended up being much less eventful, as neither team's bats were able to build off of an explosive fourth. The game remained at 8-3 going into the sixth.

The sixth was much of the same for OU as the bats were cold once again. BYU did not share the same fate, as they were able to post a run and cut into the OU lead once again. Oklahoma led 8-4 after six.

Thanks to a seventh-inning Bryce Madron bomb to right field, OU pushed their lead to 9-4. As they had done the previous night, the Cougars just wouldn’t go away. Carter Campbell was on the mound for Oklahoma and the Cougars plated a pair of runs off the southpaw. After two runs scored, Skip Johnson brought Dylan Crooks in, and he quashed the BYU rally. OU led 9-6 after seven.

Come the eighth, with a Bryce Madron RBI double and an Easton Carmichael sacrifice fly, OU stretched their lead to 11-6. Thanks to a wild pitch, Oklahoma was able to get Madron home as well and extend the lead to 12-6.

Ryan Lambert would enter the game in the ninth for Oklahoma and close this one out, sealing the series for OU with the 12-6 win. OU is now on a six-game winning streak and will face BYU again on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT from Provo.

Rumor: Billy Donovan to OU?

If the Bulls fail to make the playoffs this year, there is high speculation that Donovan will be fired and will likely return to the college ranks. Donovan was originally connected to the Kentucky opening, and there have been murmurs that Joe C. has reached out to Donovan. If this rumor ends up being true, and I literally mean if, this would be another legendary hire for Joe C.

DrummBeat: Damonic Williams note on visit (7:00 PM Fri)

Damonic Williams visit note:

It was reported by others the big-time transfer DT was only slated to be in Norman from Saturday to Sunday, BUT we reported it was more like a three day visit than two in all our reports.

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I can confirm that Williams and his crew made it to Norman earlier this afternoon and was told they are planning on having dinner with the staff this this evening, so Williams’ visit has officially started after a short drive up from Ft Worth, per people on his camp.

Lastly, I will get to speak with Williams tonight and Sunday, so I will have more on the visit as things progress.

Stay tuned to OUinsider for the latest.

Note on an upcoming transfer visitor (Fri 1:55pm)

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I’m told Arkansas and Washington are the other two schools in the picture for Hickman, but there’s a pretty unanimous confidence across the board that the Sooners wrap this one up this weekend. Numerous sources have expressed that this one is not likely to last much longer than another 48-72 hours. He’s got folks in his camp pushing OU as the destination, and proximity is obviously in the Sooners’ favor. Things can always change, obviously, but the vibes are good for now.

29-years ago

Our state was devastated when the Murrah building was destroyed. I was in Little Rock when it happened, my mother called me on my office at 9:05am saying that something major just happened in OKC. She only knew this b/c her building shook and windows broke...she was 11 miles away. Thoughts and prayers for everyone, especially those that were directly impacted by this cowardice act. God Bless Oklahoma and These United States of America!
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