Anderson leads strong stable of Oklahoma running backs

NORMAN, Okla. — Heisman-winning quarterback Baker Mayfield often heaps praise upon running back Rodney Anderson and Oklahoma’s ground game.

Now that Anderson’s legal issues are behind him, the Sooners will be in better position to have the balance Mayfield desires in their national semifinal against Georgia in the Rose Bowl on Monday.

Anderson was accused of sexual assault, but prosecutors decided against filing charges earlier this month. Anderson, one of the nation’s most productive players the second half of the season, said he is thankful to be in the clear.

“It’s been a crazy month, but God’s got me through it all,” said Anderson, who is from Katy, Texas. “My family, my hometown has been great. It just feels amazing to get back out here with my team and starting things. I’m just very blessed to be where I’m at.”

The Sooners would certainly love to have a productive ground game against Georgia’s rugged defense to help Mayfield. Though the Sooners have three other capable backs in Trey Sermon, Abdul Adams and Marcelias Sutton, Anderson is the most versatile and complete weapon in an Oklahoma running game that ranks 27th in the nation with 215.9 yards per game. He’s 6-foot-2 and 218 pounds with breakaway speed, the power to finish runs, shiftiness and good hands.

“His versatility has been impressive,” Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley said. “How well he’s caught the ball, he’s pass protected well, he’s ran physical. He’s popped some long plays running. Him being able to do all that and then having the other guys right there with him that have been very productive as well has really helped us.”

Anderson, a redshirt sophomore, didn’t even gain a featured role until the middle of this season. Before the legal troubles, he was one of the feel-good stories of the college football season, bouncing back after suffering a season-ending knee injury two games into the 2015 season and a season-ending neck injury in fall camp in 2016.

In his past seven games, including six starts, Anderson has 1,135 yards and 14 touchdowns from scrimmage. He was rewarded by being named second-team All-Big 12.