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Oklahoma Football Spring Game 2017: 5 things to watch for

By John Buhler

Oct 29, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is seen on the field prior to action against the Kansas Jayhawks at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is seen on the field prior to action against the Kansas Jayhawks at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon (25) celebrates his touchdown against the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium. Houston Cougars won 33 to 23. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon (25) celebrates his touchdown against the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium. Houston Cougars won 33 to 23. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

3. New horses in the running back stable

It won’t be the receiving corps that will be taking a hit in Norman this fall. Losing Westbrook to the NFL Draft is tough, but the Sooners will also be losing both parts of its running back tandem: Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine.

Both Mixon and Perine will go somewhere between the second and fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Mixon has the better upside, but his off-field issues may have him off some NFL team’s draft boards entirely. Perine feels like a third or fourth-rounder that could thrive in the right system.

So this leaves the Oklahoma backfield largely inexperienced heading into 2017. While they do have fullback Dimitri Flowers back for his senior season to lead the way on blocks, who will be running behind him?

One player to keep a close eye on will be freshman Rodney Anderson. He might be the most talented member of the Oklahoma backfield heading into the spring gram. Anderson, sophomore Abdul Adams and a trio of newcomers in Kennedy Brooks, Trey Sermon and junior college transfer Marcelias Sutton will have their opportunities.

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