Journalists confirm Taylor Tatum has Committed to Oklahoma

Journalists confirm Taylor Tatum has Committed to Oklahoma.

In 13 games for Longview last season, the 5-foot-11, 205-pound Tatum ran for 1,840 yards and 33 touchdowns as the team went 14-1 and made it to the 5A Division I state semifinals.

Oklahoma, which hauled in the fourth-best class in ESPN’s final 2023 rankings, now has six ESPN 300 prospects in its 2024 group.

Tatum would be the highest-ranked running back to sign with the Sooners since Keith Ford (No. 27 overall, No. 3 RB) in 2013.

Tatum, out of Longview High School (Texas), is ranked as the second-best running back in the class and becomes the highest-ranked member of Brent Venables’ class. “The hometown feel [to the school] and I believe in Coach V’s plans there, as well,” Tatum told ESPN, explaining his decision.

In addition to Oklahoma, Tatum made official visits to USC and Michigan in June. He intends to play both football and baseball (center field) in college.

After a long stint as Clemson’s defensive coordinator, Venables demonstrated a clear intent to run the football during his first season in Norman as the Sooners finished 10th in the FBS with 219.4 rushing yards per game.

The two-sport athlete chose Oklahoma plans to play both baseball and football in college. He said the opportunity to compete in the SEC in both sports was a factor in his decision. 

Four-star running back Taylor Tatum committed to Oklahoma on Friday, he announced on social media. The Longview, Texas, native is the No. 1 ranked running back and the No. 42 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to 247Sports, and committed to the Sooners over USC and Alabama.