Oklahoma's Andy Bass Back in the Fold After Pair of ACL Injuries

NORMAN — It might be late summer, but it feels like spring for Andy Bass.

After two seasons of wandering through the wilderness of the Oklahoma running backs room for two seasons due to injury, the third year player from Heritage Hall High School is finally healthy.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Bass said Tuesday after the Sooners’ first padded practice of preseason camp. “I’m just thankful to have an opportunity to make an impact. Just been working in the shadows the last few years. A lot of rehab and bonding with my teammates. Finally getting to a point where I can get out there on the field with them, it’s a great feeling.”

Bass has yet to appear in a game at Oklahoma after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during the Class 3A state title game in 2023 and then suffering another torn ACL last offseason.

Bass played quarterback in high school before converting to running back in Norman.

“It’s definitely a change of pace,” Bass said of the shift. “A lot of the same things a quarterback does can carry over. I ran the ball a lot in high school as well. The biggest thing for me was running with lower pads, not running like a quarterback anymore. That transition has done well. I’m getting into better habits as far as being a running back, learning where the reads are. Coach (Deland) McCullough does a great job of teaching us that and what moves we need to make, how to read a defense, so it’s been great. I feel like I’m finally flourishing in that position.”

Coming back from the first ACL tear was more of a physical challenge, while returning from the second was more of a mental one.

“There’s definitely some dark days during those times,” Bass said. “Going through two ACL injuries, it’ll teach you a lot about yourself. Really just kind of sticking to the path, staying the course, showing up every day. That was the biggest thing, just showing up one day at a time, stacking days. Before you know it, you’ll be running again, playing football again and here we are.”

The biggest lesson Bass learned about himself?

“The value of consistency,” he said. “Showing up every day. It’ll teach you a lot about yourself during those dark times. That’s really when you grow the most. I think learning the value of consistency and showing up every single day whether you feel like or not, that’s going to be something that I’m going to apply for the rest of my life after football.”

With Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock struggling to stay healthy at times and freshman Jonathan Hatton Jr. appearing to be banged up some as well, Bass figures to have plenty of opportunities to break through in preseason camp.

“He’s dedicated,” running back Lloyd Avant said of Bass. “He’s a one-word guy. He’s always ready to work and he’s disciplined.”

Bass has also gotten a fresh start under McCullough, who takes over the running backs from DeMarco Murray.

“Me and Coach Murray had a great relationship as well, but Coach McCullough and I — he’s been here ever since I got healthy,” Bass said. “He hasn’t got to be around when I was injured so being able to play the whole time he’s been here has been helpful.”

Bass has made a quick impression on McCullough.

“You can talk, ‘Oh, this guy isn’t (good), he ain’t played running back in high school, he was hurt,’” McCullough said. “This guy’s playing good football for me, you know? And he’s been emboldened with the things we talk about.”

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