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Oklahoma football: Ranking the 10 most important Sooners for 2021

By Chip Rouse

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 23: Safety Pat Fields #10, and offensive lineman Marcus Alexander #74 of the Oklahoma Sooners run onto the field for a game against the TCU Horned Frogs on November 23, 2019 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. OU held on to win 28-24. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 23: Safety Pat Fields #10, and offensive lineman Marcus Alexander #74 of the Oklahoma Sooners run onto the field for a game against the TCU Horned Frogs on November 23, 2019 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. OU held on to win 28-24. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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NORMAN, OK – Running back Kennedy Brooks #26 of the Oklahoma Sooners breaks away against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.  (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – Running back Kennedy Brooks #26 of the Oklahoma Sooners breaks away against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.  (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

No. 3 — Junior running back Kennedy Brooks

Kennedy Brooks’ return to the Oklahoma roster couldn’t have come at a more beneficial time. The Sooners have lost six running backs since the end of last season, and Brooks’ return brings both proven talent and experience to an unplanned for depletion in running-back depth.

Brooks opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns, but rushed for more than 1,000 yards in both his 2018 and 2019 seasons, and his freshman year in 2018, he ranked third in the country, averaging 8.9 yards per rush. In 2019. had 16 runs of more than 15 yards and was second in the Big 12 on runs of more than 10 yards, second only to Chuba Hubbard of Oklahoma State.

Speaking to the media earlier this month, Brooks was asked what part of his game he worked to improve during the year he was away.

"“I’d probably say I’m more explosive than I was a year ago. Definitely worked on my strength and my first step. Also catching the ball.”"

If the OU running back is truly more explosive and stronger than he was in his first two seasons, that could spell big trouble this season for opposing defenses and be a big plus for the Sooner run game.

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