Sooners pick up commit from juco RB
For the second time in as many days, Oklahoma added a junior college commit.
Monday, it was running back Rhamondre Stevenson from Cerritos (Calif.) Community College.
Stevenson (6-1, 230) chose the Sooners over a group of offers that included Kansas State, Texas, USC, Utah and BYU.
A day earlier, NEO defensive end LaRon Stokes committed to the Sooners.
Stevenson, a Las Vegas product, is the second running back commit of the class for the Sooners, joining Millwood’s Marcus Major.
Oklahoma started the season with plenty of depth at running back but that quickly faded with the season-ending injuries to Rodney Anderson and Marcelias Sutton, as well as a lingering injury to Trey Sermon.
Sutton was a senior and Anderson has already declared for the NFL Draft.
Saban: Tagovailoa’s ankle ‘probably ahead of schedule’
Alabama coach Nick Saban says quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is “probably ahead of schedule” in recovering from ankle surgery.
The Heisman Trophy runner-up has been practicing for the No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide, which began preparations Friday for an Orange Bowl semifinal matchup with No. 4 Oklahoma.
Tagovailoa had surgery on his left ankle shortly after the Dec. 1 Southeastern Conference game during which he sustained a high ankle sprain on the first drive against Georgia. He played much of the way on the injury but had his worst game of the season.
Tagovailoa left in the fourth quarter after his own offensive lineman came down on his right foot.
Saban says Tagovailoa has been able to take a lot of practice repetitions, throw from the pocket and run. He doesn’t think the quarterback has “100 percent change of direction yet.”
Extra points
• STANFORD: Running back Bryce Love announced Monday he will skip the Sun Bowl against Pittsburgh to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Love had a rough senior season following his decision to bypass the 2018 draft after finishing as Heisman Trophy runner-up. He was slowed by injuries and finished with 739 yards on 166 carries.
• OHIO STATE: Running back Mike Weber plans to declare for the NFL Draft after the Rose Bowl.
The redshirt junior ran for 858 yards and five touchdowns on 157 carries this season.
• NOTRE DAME: The Associated Press named Fighting Irish coach Brian Kelly as its college football Coach of the Year on Monday.
Kelly is the third coach to win the award twice since it was established in 1998.