University of Oklahoma Athletics

'09 Position Preview: Running Backs

August 26, 2009 | Football

 
 2009 Running Backs/Fullbacks
 #29 Chris Brown | Sr. | RB | 5-10 | 200
 #23 Jermie Calhoun | R-Fr. | RB | 6-0 | 218
 #34 Matt Clapp | Sr. | FB | 6-2 | 246
 #48 Brandon Crow | Jr. | FB | 6-1 | 221
 #83 Brody Eldridge | Sr. | TE/FB | 6-5 | 265
 #35 Princz Jones | Jr. | RB | 6-0 | 205
 #17 Mossis Madu | Jr. | WR/RB | 6-0 | 200
 #26 Jonathan Miller | Fr. | RB | 6-0 | 190
 #7 DeMarco Murray | Jr. | RB | 6-1 | 214
 #32 Marshall Musil | Fr. | FB | 6-2 | 218
   
 
 Preseason Multimedia
 Video  Aug. 7 - Junior Mossis Madu Media Day
 Video  Aug. 7 - Senior FB Matt Clapp Media Day
 Video  Aug. 7 - Follow Madu Through Media Day
 Video  Aug. 9 - Coach Gundy & Running Backs
 Video  Aug. 10 - Okla. Drill: TEs/FBs vs. LBs
 Video  Aug. 11 - Running Backs Hit the Shuttle
 Video  Aug. 11 - RBs Catch Out of Backfield
 Video  Aug. 11 - RBs, TEs, FBs Pick Up Blitz
 Video  Aug. 11 - More One-on-One Blitzes
 Video  Aug. 11 - Protecting the Quarterback
 Video  Aug. 13 - Sooners Work Blitz Protection
 Video  Aug. 13 - Live Action Practice Highlights
 Video  Aug. 15 - Scrimmage No. 1 Highlights
 Video  Aug. 17 - RBs & TEs in Blitz Protection
 Video  Aug. 17 - Live Action Practice Highlights
 Video  Aug. 18 - Tailbacks Catch Ball Tuesday
 Video  Aug. 18 - Coach Gundy, Running Backs
 Video  Aug. 18 - RBs and Ball Control in Chute
 Video  Aug. 19 - Gundy, Tailbacks at Practice
 Video  Aug. 19 - WRs, RBs in Perimeter Drill
 Video  Aug. 19 - RBs Work Short Pass Routes
 Video  Aug. 19 - Tailbacks Drill Ball Security
 Video  Aug. 19 - Live Action Practice Highlights
 Video  Aug. 20 - Stadium Scrimmage Highlights
 
   
 
 Related Information
 2009 Preseason Practice Central
 2009 Big 12 Football Media Days
 Purchase
 Roster | Depth Chart | 2009 Schedule
 Video Library
 
SoonerSports.com provides a position-by-position preview of the 2009 OU football team. Stay tuned throughout the week as we break down each of the eight major position areas:

QBs | OL | DL | RBs | LBs | WRs | DBs | SP

NORMAN, Okla. -- Bringing back one 1,000-yard rusher is nice.  Bringing back two is almost unheard of, but that is precisely the situation at Oklahoma, one of only two schools in the nation who can claim the feat and the only program with each 1,000-yard rusher positioned at running back.
 
DeMarco Murray spent most of the season as the team's top rusher, but was injured on the opening kickoff of the Big 12 Championship game and did not play again.  He finished with 1,002 rushing yards, but was eclipsed over those final two games by Chris Brown, who ended the season at 1,220 yards.
 
"It's valuable having two guys with a lot of snaps under their belt and who have been in the fire and come out on the other side," said OU running backs coach Cale Gundy.
 
"This team means a lot to those two guys. The Oklahoma Sooners mean a lot to them. If I had to go to war with anyone, I would want those two in my cubby hole."
 
The return of those two alone would be enough to keep most coaching staffs happy, but Oklahoma also returns its No. 3 rusher from a year ago in Mossis Madu, who piled up 475 yards and six touchdowns. While Madu shifted out to receiver over the spring and fall camps, the versatile hometown product can easily be counted on to shift to the backfield if need be.
 
"Mossis is a fulltime receiver now, but there will still be opportunities to get him in the backfield. The main thing is to find ways to get touches for Mossis," added Gundy.
 
The group will be joined by redshirt freshman Jermie Calhoun and true freshman Jonathan Miller.
 
The fullback position is strong with Matt Clapp and Brody Eldridge, both of whom have been All-Big 12.  Marshall Musil, a player similar in style and stature, is a true freshman with promise.
 
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