Sooners add 'Major' piece to #NewWave19
When you’ve looked at Oklahoma’s 2019 class the last year, the offensive skill position recruits stick out in a huge way.
Quarterback, wide receiver and tight end – three major check marks.
But what about running back? A position where OU has always dominated was one position that was curiously blank heading into the summer.
That changed in a ‘major’ way as Oklahoma City Millwood running back Marcus Major announced his commitment to OU on Saturday evening.
Major is OU’s 14th commitment for its stellar 2019 class and returns the Sooners to Millwood for the first time in a long time.
In mid-January, not many people knew who Major was, but this tweet from former OU fullback J.D. Runnels alerted many about the potential of Major.
Potential isn’t enough, though. Schools started to evaluate his film, got to know him as a person, and it didn’t take long. What started out as Memphis and Arkansas entering mid-January turned into a who’s who of schools across the country. USC, Texas, Alabama, Michigan, and yes, OU.
The Sooners offered later in the month and running backs coach Jay Boulware went to work. Major has said repeatedly about how special the relationship is that he’s developed with OU’s running backs coach.
A return visit to OU for spring game weekend felt like it could be the moment as Major was able to spend time with former OU running back Adrian Peterson. The Sooners were striking all the right chords, but Major wasn’t ready just yet.
He made an official visit to Arkansas and there were potential trips to Texas and Auburn that didn’t come through in the last few weeks.
With the dead period in recruiting here and recruits getting some time to breathe and clear their head, the answer became clear – OU.
Major rushed for 1,155 yards on 102 carries with 23 touchdowns, averaging more than 11 yards per rush as a junior. He also had 23 receptions for 490 yards and five touchdowns, averaging more than 21 yards per reception.
“There were two times where I saw that ‘aha’ moment,” Millwood coach Darwin Franklin said. “It was during summer workouts and then in the Cascia Hall game (in September). He was running the ball and scored a touchdown. But he ran over a kid to do it.
“It clicked for him. He had been in the weight room all summer. He realized I can run this ball. I’m big enough, strong enough to do it. His confidence went through the roof after that.”
Major adds his name with Phoenix Pinnacle quarterback Spencer Rattler, Plano (Texas) Prestonwood Christian tight end Austin Stogner and the best receiver trio in the country in Allen (Texas) High’s Theo Wease, Carrollton (Texas) Hebron’s Trejan Bridges and Richmond (Texas) Travis’ Arjei Henderson.
Major is OU’s first commit from the state for the 2019 class. With Major locked down, all eyes turn toward Tulsa Booker T. Washington safety Daxton Hill for the OU-OKPreps connection to continue in 2019.