Marcus

Major

Major was initially ruled academically ineligible this season. But this past week, that ruling was overturned. Major will be a depth piece in the backfield versus the Sooners. Last year, he ran 35 times for 187 yards and three touchdowns.

Major (5'11/222) appeared in five games last season for the sooner, rushing 35 times for 187 yards and three touchdowns over that span. The former four-star prospect was regarded as the fourth-best prospect in Oklahoma from the 2019 class, and now has a chance to return and salvage the back half of the 2021 season. It remains to be seen whether or not Major will play for the Sooners this Saturday at Texas, but Major at the very least is added depth in Oklahoma’s backfield.

Major (5'11/220) is a former four-star prospect who was ranked 17th among running backs in the 247 Sports composite rankings, and fourth-best player from the Sooner State. Last year he carried 35 times for 187 yards, 5.3 YPC and three touchdowns. He had a standout showing against Florida in their bowl game, rushing nine times for 110 yards, 12.2 YPC and a touchdown as OU destroyed the Gators 55-20. Major was expected to serve as the third running back behind Kennedy Brooks and Tennessee transfer Eric Gray, so Oklahoma’s depth takes a big hit with his absence. The Sooners kickoff their 2021 campaign on September 4 at Tulane.

Major (5'11/211) joined in the fun, averaging a gaudy 12.2 yards per carry in the Sooners’ 35 point rout of Florida. His best play came on a 46-yard touchdown jaunt where he ran through a gaping hole on the right side of the line, stiff arming a converging safety into the ground, then danced down the right sideline for the score. He and Seth McGowan, who ripped off a 73-yard rush as well, will form a lethal backfield duo when starter Rhamondre Stevenson departs, which could possibly happen this season.

The Sooners are without Kennedy Brooks, who decided to opt-out of playing this fall. Oklahoma also lost Trey Sermon to to transfer, so there are plenty of carries to be had in this backfield. Expect to see T.J. Pledger and freshman Seth McGowan also get carries, but at least to begin, it sounds like Major will get the bulk of the carries on Saturday.

Major (5'11/211) saw action in three games last season, rushing 10 times for 28 yards in a tertiary role for the Sooners. A four-star recruit out of Oklahoma City, Major was rated as the 17th best running back in the 2019 class and 4th best prospect in the state of Oklahoma. Major was recruited from high profile programs like Michigan and Alabama, but opted to stay close to home and attend OU. He will likely serve as depth in 2020 before elevating to a more prominent role in the Sooner offense once Kennedy Brooks and Trey Sermon move on.

Major (5'11/211) is one of two Sooner running backs who will not play Sunday, as T.J. Pledger is also out after undergoing arm surgery earlier in the week. As a result Oklahoma will be down to three available scholarship running backs, with either Trey Sermon or Kennedy Brooks receiving the starting nod.

Major commits to the Sooners over offers from high-profile schools like Alabama, Michigan, Arkansas and several others. The 6-foot, 200-pound tailback ranks 17th among running backs in the 247 Sports composite rankings, and the Oklahoma City product ranks fourth-best from the Sooner State. The strong class for Lincoln Riley and his staff continues to impress, and ranks at the top of the Big 12 in 247 Sports ranks, fourth overall.