Anderson happy to be in Norman

NORMAN — Watching Oklahoma play on television is still hard for Rodney Anderson.

“It’s a different perspective,” Anderson said. “It’s kind of weird because sometimes I don’t agree with what they’re saying on TV. They don’t know ’em like I do.”

Saturday, when Oklahoma hosts Kansas in the final home game of the season, the injured Sooners running back will once again be watching live as he returned from rehabbing his injured knee to go through Senior Day festivities.

Anderson has already declared for the NFL Draft.

“I’m excited for it,” Anderson said. “I’m ready to get back out there and be in that stadium again when it’s full. I’m sure it’ll be a little bit emotional and just not being able to be there in my pads but I’m excited to be out there regardless.”

After a monster end to the season last year, Anderson seemed primed for a huge junior season.

But a hit on a 10-yard run in the season’s second game ended his season and his Sooners career.

“It was weird because I never really had a major knee injury like that. When I did it, it really didn’t hurt,” Anderson said. “Coming off the field, I thought it was just something I had to rest for a week or so. But I didn’t feel stable at all.”

When Anderson got back to the training room, he was told it was an anterior cruciate ligament tear.

“It was pretty devastating because I obviously wanted to be out there with my team,” Anderson said.

Since his injury, Anderson has spent most of his time in Birmingham, Alabama, as he prepares for the NFL Draft.

Anderson said he was drawn to Birmingham thanks to the success of players such as Drew Brees and Adrian Peterson have had working out there.

“It just seemed like the right fit,” he said.

Anderson said he remained ahead of schedule to return.

“They say it’s definitely nothing super easy to come back from, but I’ll make a full recovery and be back as good as new,” Anderson said. “I’m confident with everything.”

Anderson has been through this before, coming back from a broken leg his first year that caused him to miss all but two games and a broken neck his second year that kept him out for the entire 2016 season.

Though he’s been away from the team, Anderson has stayed in contact with his coaches and teammates, especially the other running backs and the offensive linemen.

“It will be good to see him,” Sooners coach Lincoln Riley said. “I know our team will be excited to see him.”