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WATCH: Elite RB Taylor Tatum announces commitment to Oklahoma

Wg0vf-nP_400x400by:Keegan Pope•07/21/23•

bykeeganpope

Screen Shot 2023-07-21 at 12.47.03 PM
(Taylor Tatum/Instagram)

Longview (Texas) four-star running back Taylor Tatum made his college decision on Friday, following a long process that included offers from programs across the country and visits to dozens of schools.

Down to USC and Oklahoma, the nation’s No. 1 running back in the On3 Industry Ranking chose Brent Venables and the Sooners over Lincoln Riley and the Trojans.

And he did it in epic fashion. In front of family and friends on a YouTube live stream, Tatum pulled up a curtain to reveal an Oklahoma football and pair of baseball cleats with ‘Boomer Sooner’ emblazoned on them.

The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Tatum plans to play both sports in Norman, and he chose the Sooners because of his relationships with both coaching staffs.

Tatum had a special bond with baseball coach Skip Johnson

The blue-chip running back is a multi-sport star. He considered his opportunities on both the football and baseball fields.

Skip Johnson, who coached Kyler Murray when he played both sports at Oklahoma a half-decade ago, played a massive role in lifting the Sooners to the top with Tatum.

“More than football going to the SEC, competing in SEC baseball really set them over the top,” he told On3’s Sam Spiegelman. “Being a two-sport athlete — a competitive one at that — I made sure to go somewhere where I had the opportunity to play baseball and compete in football. Being the top running back in the nation, I’m blessed to have the ability to thrive in two sports.”

Added Tatum: “Going there and playing two sports is a big reason for me.”

Return visit to Oklahoma sealed the deal for Taylor Tatum

The Trojans were thought to be his top school for most of the summer and especially after his official visit in June. But his trip back to Norman the following week swung things in OU’s favor.

Tatum was a focal point for the Sooners on both the football and baseball side. Brent Venables and famed Sooners RB coach DeMarco Murray spent time around the elite running back and his family, emphasizing the same values and beliefs shared by Tatum and his family.

“They’ve always been a top school in the back of my head because of my relationship with Coach Murray,” Tatum said. “Getting back for the official visit really set it off for me.”

… Being around Coach Murray and his family, hearing Coach Venables’ plans for the future, about getting to the SEC and how that’s gonna change the college football world,” he continued. “Knowing they have the same morals and same goals as me, that Coach Murray talks to my dad a lot, my mom a lot, and I’ve connected with Oklahoma in ways I haven’t with other schools.”