Oklahoma Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

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NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 10 : Fullback Dimitri Flowers #36 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a touchdown against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks September 10, 2016 at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Warhawks 59-17. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

Running Back

Starting running back: Abdul Adams
Backup: Rodney Anderson

How do you replace two 1,000-yard rushers? The answer: you can’t. However, you can lessen the blow with talented returning stars in the backfield such as sophomore Abdul Adams. The Sooners almost missed out on the speedy, elusive back as he was committed to Michigan State before switching his pledge to Oklahoma.

It turned out to be the right choice as he is looking at extended playing time as a sophomore and is likely to be the team’s lead back. He finished the 2016 season with 2813 yards on 5.3 yards per touch. He also had three catches, but needs to show more of an ability to catch the ball out of the backfield in this offense like Joe Mixon did.

Positioned as the No. 2 back heading into the season is fellow sophomore Rodney Anderson. The former four-star all-purpose back is entering his third season — he was redshirted in 2015 — and his knowledge of the offense could help him split carries. This is a talented, but unproven, backfield tandem.

Starting fullback: Dimitri Flowers
Backup: Carson Meier

Oklahoma is one of the few programs to utilize, and perfect, the fullback position. The Sooners have one of the best in the business in senior Dimitri Flowers back as a starter and his athleticism is evident. He finished the 2016 season with 115 rushing yards and 200 receiving yards with four touchdowns. He will pave the way for Adams and Anderson. Junior Carson Meier will play the backup role.

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