Running Back All About Preference

Continuing our comparisons between the 2016 and 2017 classes we move on from quarterbacks to their backfield mates looking at the haul made by Jay Boulware and co. over the last few years at running back. Boulware has continued where Cale Gundy left off in running back recruiting by landing a pair of elite national four-star prospects that had huge offer lists.

The reality of recruiting on this level has become the norm at Oklahoma with the Sooners success on the field as well as their vaunted history of running backs including Demarco Murray and Adrian Peterson in the Bob Stoops era.

In the class of 2016 Oklahoma moved around a bit in their running back pursuit before zeroing in on Abdul Adams, a long-time Michigan State commitment. As time wore on it became increasingly clear that Adams had every intention of taking a visit to Norman thanks, in part, to a long-time relationship with offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley. In fact Adams was, at one point, an East Carolina commitment while Riley was still calling plays in Greenville, N.C.

When he was committed to the Pirates Adams had been starring in the Washington D.C. area but oddly enough actually ended up in North Carolina after he had decommitted from East Carolina. Following that transfer Adams used his explosive speed and surprising size and strength to average nearly 150-yards per game for 1,499 and 11 touchdowns on the season.

Adams talked about a final four of Maryland, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Alabama just prior to taking his late November official visit to Norman. However during that official visit Adams was blown away with what he saw and announced his decision for the Sooners.

In the class of 2017 it was clear that the Sooners, after seeing some staff turnover going into 2016, there was a more concerted idea of what they would like to do in recruiting. And that is evidenced by already having three running back, of one sort or another, commitments.

One of the more unique members of the 2017 recruiting class is Scranton (Pa.) Lackawanna C.C. three-star athlete Marcelias Sutton who isn't seen just as a running back but instead is something of a multi-tooled player. Look for Sutton to be used in the passing game, return game, and yes even some in the ground game.

Sutton is a 2014 product of Warsaw (N.C.) James Kenan and signed with N.C. State out of high school but due to academics was forced to head to Lackawanna before he could make his college choice.

In fact he ended up committed to the Wolfpack again before the Sooners, fresh off signing his former Lackawanna teammates Emmanuel Beal and Kapri Doucet in 2016, came calling and were able to turn him away from the home state ACC program.

Last year at Lackawanna Sutton highlighted the versatility that Oklahoma covets by rushing for 469-yards, collecting 122-yards receiving, and 283-yards in the return game.

Joining Sutton as something of a jack of all trades is recent h-back commitment, and fellow North Carolina product, Jeremiah Hall of Charlotte Vance. Hall works as a tight end, h-back, and fullback for Vance but largely featured as a receiver with 38 passes for 650-yards and six touchdowns.

That ability as a receive clearly caught the eye of Oklahoma's offensive staff.

"I’ll be doing all of those things at Oklahoma – running the football, blocking, and running routes. I definitely want to work on my speed, they want a more flexible guy. Flowers has been more of a fullback – they want someone they can flex out more," Hall said at the time.

Finally, the most traditional back of the group is Marietta (Ga.) Sprayberry Rivals250 running back Trey Sermon.

Sermon chose the Sooners in late April over a massive list of offers including Alabama, Auburn, Arizona State, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State and did so in the Spring following a successful trip to Norman in early April.

Sermon's junior season saw him fight off some injury but there is every indication that he is back to full speed and should be ready to build on his junior campaign.

Of all the players listed Sermon is, perhaps, the most natural running back as well as the most complete in all phases of the game. His frame lends itself naturally to pass blocking but he is also a gifted runner and receiver.

With Adams I think Oklahoma has a potentially elite back, individually he is probably my favorite of the quartet. However as a group it's impossible to pass over the diversity in 2016 as well as the sheer numbers that are set to help Oklahoma in 2017.