Tandem RBs in OU’s future

Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray will play their final game together next week in the Sun Bowl.

But while their run has been great, it shouldn’t be the end of tandem running backs in Norman.

The Sooners appear to have a pair of twosomes waiting in the wings.

Freshmen Jermie Calhoun and Jonathan Miller. And high school seniors Brennan Clay (San Diego) and Roy Finch (Niceville, Fla.).

Calhoun and Miller have both displayed loads of potential as a tandem in mop-up duty this season.

On 45 carries this season, Calhoun rushed for 220 yards, averaging 4.9 yards a carry. He scored a touchdown against Idaho State, but had his best game against Texas A&M, against which he ran for 94 yards on 18 carries.

Miller also showed promise before suffering a season-ending cartilage injury in his knee against Texas A&M. All told, he ran for 130 yards and a touchdown this year on 18 carries, averaging 7.2 yards a rush.

“Both of those guys are very capable,” Brown said. “Next year, these guys will have the experience, playing time, knowing how it feels to carry the ball, score a touchdown, get tough yards. That’s going to help them in the long run. They’re going to have great careers here. They’ve taken the work ethic instilled by us. Those guys catch on real fast.”

Said Murray: “I think they look up to us and see how we work and prepare ourselves to do well on Saturdays. Jon Miller showed up. He’s going to be a great player. Calhoun, too. But I’m really looking forward to see what Jon Miller can do.”

Primed to follow-up Calhoun and Miller are blue-chip recruits Clay and Finch. Both players are 4-star prospects and have excelled rushing and receiving.