Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma Football: Spring Game 2017 – What to Look For

By Sixto Ortiz

Oct 10, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners cheerleader performs during the game against the Texas Longhorns during Red River rivalry at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Texas beat Oklahoma 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners cheerleader performs during the game against the Texas Longhorns during Red River rivalry at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Texas beat Oklahoma 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 12, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Rodney Anderson (24) is attended by team personnel after suffering an injury during the second quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Rodney Anderson (24) is attended by team personnel after suffering an injury during the second quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

New Season, New Running Game

With Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine taking their immense talents to the NFL, the Sooner running game has a Texas-sized hole to fill. Mixon and Perine combined for 2,334 rushing yards and 22 scores in 2016, so let’s just come right out and state the obvious fact that replacing this type of production will be just about impossible.

But, this doesn’t mean the Sooner running game will be anemic by any means; the Sooners have done a great job of recruiting running back talent to Norman, so there are plenty of options for Lincoln Riley to access.

For starters, former Katy, Texas, standout Rodney Anderson is finally healthy and ready to take the field after a couple of injuries derailed him the past two seasons. Freshman Abdul Adams showed some flashes during 2016 and is hopefully ready to step up further during his sophomore campaign.

On the recruiting front, the Sooners bring in some new talent as well, notably Trey Sermon and Kennedy Brooks, two talented freshmen who may push for playing time right away. And talented fullback Dimitri Flowers returns as well.

While the spring game may reveal some surprises, the most likely outcome is that the Sooners will enter 2017 with a running back by committee approach, with multiple players getting playing time.

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