Micah Rhodes choosing Texas haunts Oklahoma in worst way right before Red River Rivalry

After waiting this long, 2028 four-star running back Micah Rhodes picked the worst time to complete his flip across rivalry lines from Oklahoma to Texas.

Only two days before OU and Texas meet in the Red River Rivalry on Saturday, Rhodes announced his commitment to the Longhorns with a post on X just after midnight on Thursday, which is also his birthday. If not for it being his birthday, the timing would have felt intentional. For OU, it could mean suffering two losses in the week to its most hated rival if the Sooners don't pull off an upset.

According to the 247Sports Composite, Rhodes is the No. 12 running back in the 2028 class and the No. 166 overall player as a four-star recruit. He's also the No. 20 prospect in the state of Texas out of Klein Oak High School.

Last season, as a sophomore, he rushed for 1,309 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. He was also a MaxPreps Freshman All-America selection in 2024. That early success immediately made him one of the top running backs in his class.

Rhodes was initially the Sooners' first addition to their 2028 class back in January. He made his decision a big deal then, unlike it just abruptly being posted in the middle of the night. He had appeared on Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson's podcast, "Night Cap," to talk ball and announce his commitment.

That commitment lasted only 62 days, though, before fans questioned whether it was a joke or not when Rhodes' decommitment was reported on April Fools' Day. It wasn't a surprise by that point, though, and neither is his ultimate destination.

Rhodes had made it clear that former running backs coach DeMarco Murray was the key reason he wanted to be a Sooner, so the writing was on the wall once Murray left about a month later for the same job with the Kansas City Chiefs. Rhodes even posted about Murray's departure shortly after the news broke. Had Murray gone to a different college instead of the NFL, that's probably where Rhodes would have ended up.

Although Murray leaving opened the door for Rhodes to head out, what ultimately got him through the doorway was a visit to Austin during the spring. He visited Texas the weekend before his decommitment was known. Then, only two days after decommitment, multiple reports surfaced that the Longhorns were the favorites to land him. It's a wonder it took this long to be completed.

Deland McCullough looking to replace Micah Rhodes with Jayshawn Mitchell

The Sooners replaced Murray with Deland McCullough, who had previously spent a season with the Las Vegas Raiders and was at Notre Dame before that. McCullough has since pursued his own targets, including an offer to top 2028 running back Kevin Hartsfield about a month after Rhodes decommitted.

Oklahoma hasn't landed a 2028 running back to replace Rhodes yet, but all signs point to another Texan, Jayshawn Mitchell, eventually being a Sooner. Rivals national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman logged a prediction in July that Mitchell would commit to OU.

Mitchell, from San Antonio Brennan High School, is actually ranked higher than Rhodes as the No. 8 running back, No. 113 overall player, and No. 12 Texas prospect. He's also included Texas among his top options and will be in Austin next weekend, but Rhodes' decision likely crosses the Longhorns off Mitchell's list.

Mitchell will be in Norman on Oct. 31, when the Sooners host South Carolina. He already visited Georgia last weekend and will be at Ohio State on Saturday. That means the Sooners will get to make the final impression, based on his current schedule.

Rhodes decommitting and being a Longhorn might sting now, but just like it seems the Sooners upgraded from Murray to McCullough, they could do the same with their 2028 running back.

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