Madu gets chance to prove himself

NORMAN — For the last two years, Mossis Madu has had to deal with the questions.

Questions about why he wasn't playing.

Questions about when he would.

The Oklahoma running back hasn't had the benefit of going to college miles away in a faraway state.

Instead, Madu is still in the same town where he grew up, meaning family and friends are constantly asking him questions about football.

Now, Madu finally has some answers.

And a chance to prove himself on the field.

Because of knee injuries to DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown, Madu is shouldering the rushing load this spring along with incoming freshman Justin Johnson.

"(Coming to OU) has put a lot of pressure on me because I want to prove to everybody around here that I came here for a reason,” said Madu, who will be a sophomore next season. "I want to prove to everybody that I'm worth it.

"I'm going to come out here and bust my butt and do what I know how to do best.”

Not long ago, Madu was a star at Norman High School, rushing for more than 1,500 yards and 25 touchdowns during his senior season. But after starting for three years at Norman, Madu has found himself buried on the depth chart at OU behind talented runners like Murray, Brown and Allen Patrick, who was a senior last season.

"He's like so many other great athletes. He wants a chance to perform and compete,” said longtime Norman High coach Butch Peters, who still talks with Madu often. "He felt like he was good enough to play at the level OU is at. And he was a real popular kid in high school, so a lot of people around here are going to be rooting for him.”

But breaking into the Sooners' running back rotation comprising of a potential All-American in Murray and a short-yardage specialist in Brown won't be easy. On top of that, Johnson and fellow incoming freshman Jermie Calhoun, who will report in the summer, were the top two running back recruits out of Texas.

To remain on the list, Madu will have to produce this spring and prove he has something to offer.

"(Madu and Johnson) have not played much at all and it will be a great opportunity,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. "We already know what the other guys can do, so it's perfect.”

Madu said he's ready for the challenge.

"I'm trying not to think about it too much.”