OU Football 2015: Grading the Sooner Position Units

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Nov 22, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Samaje Perine (32) runs for a touchdown past Kansas Jayhawks linebacker Courtney Arnick (28) during the first half at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Running Backs

Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and conference rushing leader a year ago, Samaje Perine, is clearly the headliner in a loaded Sooner backfield. Freshman Joe Mixon will be the lightning to Perine’s thunder. A five-star recruit who missed all of last season with a suspension after an incident in which he was charged with a misdemeanor for punching a female student in the face, Mixon was actually projected as the Sooner’s feature back before last season. He has looked very good in the opening week of August training camp, and Mixon can also be used as a receiver out of the backfield, which will give OU an added receiving weapon with excellent speed in its newly installed aerial-assault offense.

Perine and Mixon aren’t the only rushing weapons in the Sooner arsenal, however. Alex Ross, who saw action last season in a reserve role at running back but is even more dangerous running back kickoffs, and junior Daniel Brooks are talented backups behind Perine and Mixon. Rodney Anderson is a four-star recruit who was rated by 247Sports as the No. 2 running back in the country in the 2015 recruiting class. He has impressed in the opening week of August training camp. And don’t forget that coach Bob Stoops likes to utilize a fullback in his offense. That role will be performed this season by sophomore Dimitri Flowers. Grade: A

Next: Receivers