Oklahoma Sooners Running Back Keith Ford Suspended Indefinitely

Does the suspension of Oklahoma Sooners Running Back Keith Ford mean anything? Or is it an issue that will go unnoticed?

Oklahoma Sooners Running Back Keith Ford has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of academic and team rules, first reported by Guerin Emig of the Tulsa World.

Ford is no longer listed on the roster online. He scored six touchdowns as the starting running back in the first three games last year before missing the next five due to injury. And what happened in those next five games is why there is no reason to be too nervous about Ford’s suspension.

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Samaje Perine is the clear-cut starter at running back anyway, and Ford’s suspension will not mean much.

Ironically, it took multiple breaks for Perine to get his role as the starter last year. In addition to Ford’s injury, running back Joe Mixon was suspended for the year due to other issues. Now, Mixon is back, which means Ford’s suspension is even less significant.

Other running backs on the roster include true freshman Rodney Anderson and junior Alex Ross. But the star will still be Perine, and unless he gets hurt, he should not even be a by-committee running back. This guy is a more complete version of Melvin Gordon and looks to tear up the Big 12 this year.

The Sooners will be fine as long as Trevor Knight is not doing anything at the quarterback position.

To credit Bob Stoops and the program as a whole, though, Oklahoma has done a very good job in reacting quickly and not taking any chances with players in trouble. We already mentioned Mixon suspended for the year, but the suspension of linebacker Frank Shannon was an immediate reaction to an issue that arose last summer.

Stoops reacts quickly to these issues. It would be nice if other colleges followed suit.

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