SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- The top all-purpose back in the country is set to commit at the US Army All-American Bowl on Saturday -- Freedom (Calif.) all-purpose back Joe Mixon will decide between Oklahoma, UCLA, and Wisconsin.
Joe Mixon has final three, set to decide at Army Bowl
The decision by the five-star back on Saturday is probably going to be a surprise.
Cal fans holding out hope that Mixon will pull a surprise during the game and pick the Golden Bears will surely be disappointed.
“I pretty much had them in my top group of schools because they are close to home, but everybody is thinking that I’m going to pull their hat out from under the table, but that’s not going to happen,” Mixon said.
The Sooners present the opportunity for early playing time, always appealing to running backs who can transition quickly to the college game and make a quick impact.
“I think I fit well at Oklahoma, they’re losing all three backs, so I feel like it would be a good opportunity for me to come in and get a good education and expand my game.”
The Bruins have a new running back coach in Kennedy Polamalu and he and Mixon have been going through the process of getting to know each other.
“He was just telling me about himself, we really haven’t gotten into it to much about football, but he was telling me who he’s coached and how they did and stuff like that. He seemed like he was a pretty good guy and we have a good relationship.”
And Wisconsin? The focus on the running game is appealing for a back who has the size at 6’2 to add some mass to his frame and follow in the footsteps of load backs like Monte Ball.
As for important factors, Mixon wants to feel comfortable with his decision and wants his family to be on board.
Which school will land Mixon on Saturday? Right now, there’s no consensus in the 247Sports Crystal Ball -- 44% of the predictions are for Oklahoma, while 41% are for UCLA, with Wisconsin trailing far bend the other two schools.
Seems like Mixon’s announcement could be one of the most dramatic of the day during the Army Bowl and Mixon himself said that he has not yet made his decision, though when he does make it, it will be his final decision and he won’t take any more visits.
