J.D. Runnels Online Journal: Week Six

NORMAN, Okla. J.D. Runnels records his sixth installment of his online player journal to take Sooner fans behind the scenes. This week, J.D. reminisces about his time off and answers the best questions sent by readers since his last entry.

There is also a link at the bottom of the page so you can submit questions for J.D. to reply to in his next entry.

J.D. Runnels

Journal Entry No. 6 (Sept. 28, 2004)

I had a great time during the bye week. I saw some of my old buddies, got a lot of rest and got to be a regular college student.

I went to the Carl Albert football game on Friday. They played at Noble and were up by about 25 at the half, so I didn't really feel the need to stick around to see the end of the game.

I saw a couple old friends from high school I'll give a shout out to Mike, Coach Rose, Coach Rollins, Coach Parker and all the other guys I caught up with last week.

Other than that, I got a lot of rest and watched a lot of football. I watched Kansas and Texas Tech play. They both look pretty solid. You've got to give Tech a lot of credit to come back and score 26 unanswered points at Kansas against a good defense. I also watched a good friend of mine, T.J. Rushing, from Stanford almost come out with a victory over Southern Cal.

Mainly, I got a lot of rest and let my body heal. I'm ready to go this week.

This week's game against Texas Tech starts the Big 12 Conference schedule.

Our expectations are to, hopefully, improve every week. Our goal is definitely that, and to be able to do what we want to, not just what teams will let us do. We should be able to run the ball when we want to, not when a team lets us. We have to keep converting on third downs and continue mixing up the pass and the run. We remember what happened at the end of last season and we keep that in mind. We have to finish.

Are there going to be any special new plays for J.D. Runnels out of the backfield this week?

Not at all. (Laughing) As there were none the past three weeks and will probably continue to be none.

Okay, I'll answer some of the best questions from the past week.

What was the biggest reason that you decided to go to school at Oklahoma?
Kevin from Baton Rouge, La.

That's easy. It was really the best choice for me. This is the best university in the state and its just 30 minutes from my hometown. Coming here gave me a chance to stay close to my family, but also to have enough distance to be free. It doesn't hurt to play for a top-five ranked football team each year either.

J.D., is Jason White as humble in person as he seems to be on television and radio? And who would you say is your closest friend on the team?

Jeremy from Moore, Okla.

Yes, Jason is definitely humble. With him, what you see is what you get. On TV, if it seems like he's a great guy and it seems like he's humble, it's because that is exactly who he is. But, he's also truthful and not afraid to speak his mind.

I would have to say my closest friend on the team is probably either Dan Cody or Jason Carter. Dan and I both had tough personal things to go through earlier in our careers and we both have the same attitude and give 110 percent every play. I really feel we have a lot in common. Jason was my roommate freshman year and is someone that I grew very close to. I could tell you a lot of dirty little secrets about Jason just kidding.

Who are some of the unsung heroes that may not get the attention that they deserve?

Chris from Sheridan, Wyo.

Mark Bradley is one. He always seems to play the hero whenever we get into a situation where we need a big play. Brandon Shelby and Rufus Alexander get some credit, but not half as much as they deserve. Davin Joseph is probably the biggest unsung hero on the team hands down.

J.D., I love the intensity that you bring week in and week out. I was just wondering who is the most intense guy on the team? Also, who do you think is the best team that you have ever played against?

Alan from Stilwell, Okla.

That is a tough question. I couldn't say who the most intense player on this year's team is. Of all of my teammates, Teddy Lehman definitely was the most intense.

The best team I ever played against would have to be Booker T. Washington my junior year of high school. They had the likes of Mike Wilson, who signed here, Quentin Chaney, who came here, Robert Meachem, who went to Tennessee, and they had other players go to Rice and Colorado. We luckily left Stillwater with a 14-13 victory that night. Luckily.

You've played in a national championship and that Hornets team was the best?

Oh man, yeah. The question said best team that I “ever played against”.

If you were able to teach young fullbacks two things to make them a better player, what would those things be?

Tommy from Oklahoma City

Don't be afraid to hit and always keep your feet moving.

I played several different positions in high school. I think that helped me a ton. Learning all those different positions really helped me understand the game. Playing defense helped me learn the fineness of execution and how they react at each snap. Playing several different offensive positions explained the concepts of every player's job on each play.

Hey James, I remember when you used to play baseball and to me that is your most natural sport. Have you ever contemplated helping out the Sooner baseball team? They could use your skills. I heard your dad was a very good baseball player at O.C. Douglass back in the day.

Big Dave from Midwest City, Okla.

Yeah, it was. (Laughing) You had to write on the week we play your alma mater, didn't you? My Uncle Dave played defensive tackle at Texas Tech in 1993.

I've never really put any thought into it. I got burned out from baseball in sixth grade. I thought I was all right. I've talked to OU head baseball coach Larry Cochell a few times, but never anything about baseball. I may have a little home run derby at the house, but as far a pitch and catch that's not for me anymore. My dad still plays in the 50-and-over softball league and I hear he's doing pretty well for himself.

J.D., would you please spend some time with the son of mine and try to teach him how to tackle?

Rick DiCarlo from Norman, Okla.

Hey, Rick, as long as your son kicks the ball out of the end zone, we're happy with that. It doesn't matter how it gets there or how pretty it is, he gets the job done that's what we always say about Trey.

Whatever happened to that golf challenge?

Oh man, we forgot it. Rick, we'll make it up with dinner.

Thank you for your questions this week and your support at this Saturday versus the Texas Tech Red Raiders. I appreciate all the encouragement and the support you give me. Thank you.

Until next week, Boomer Sooner!

- #38 J.D. Runnels

Jammal Brown
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