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Big 12 Football: Biggest offseason question for every team

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Nov 5, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; The Big 12 logo on the chains during a game between the TCU Horned Frogs and Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. TCU won 62-22. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; The Big 12 logo on the chains during a game between the TCU Horned Frogs and Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. TCU won 62-22. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 8, 2017; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Abdul Adams (23) eludes a tackle attempt by Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Curtis Bolton (18) during the spring game at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Abdul Adams (23) eludes a tackle attempt by Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Curtis Bolton (18) during the spring game at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Oklahoma – Who will make up the running back production?

Oklahoma is losing a lot of skill-position production from Joe Mixon, Samaje Perine and Dede Westbrook, all of whom are entering the 2017 NFL Draft. That means a handful of others will have to step up into bigger roles, especially at the running back spot for Mixon and Perine. Who will that be, though?

First in line may be Abdul Adams, who put up 283 rushing yards as the No. 3 running back. An article on TulsaWorld.com even noted him as the “most consistent back” this spring, which was said by offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley:

"“He’s been our most consistent guy. He is one of the most improved of all the guys who returned last year thus far in camp. … At times he played a little tight last year as he was trying to figure it all out. He just seems more loose, and you see more of his true athletic ability right now.”"

Adams has to fight off others, however, like Rodney Anderson. He’s coming off back-to-back years with season-ending injuries and will make a play to get back into the mix. If Anderson can stay healthy, then we may be looking at our top-two backs for the Sooners in 2017.

There are nearly 3,000 yards of production to make up for between Mixon and Perine’s absences at running back. That’s not to mention Westbrook’s 1,524 yards at wideout. Maybe it will be Adams and Anderson filling in, or incoming freshmen playing unexpectedly big roles. They’ll all have Baker Mayfield throwing or handing the ball off to them, though, which should help ease the transition in the fall.

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