Taylor Tatum, 5-star 2024 RB from Texas, announces SEC commitment

Taylor Tatum is headed to the SEC to be a 2-sport standout. Tatum, a 5-star running back and baseball player for Longview (Texas), has committed to play for Oklahoma.

Tatum picked up 39 scholarship offers during his recruitment. For Friday’s big announcement, he narrowed it down to Oklahoma and USC. He revealed his commitment to the Sooners in a ceremony livestreamed by Longview Gameday on Twitter.

5-Star running back Taylor Tatum picks OU! pic.twitter.com/X7F5DBYfSN

— The REF (@KREFsports) July 21, 2023

Beating out Lincoln Riley’s program makes landing Tatum an extra special commitment for Sooners fans. Tatum said Oklahoma’s future in the SEC tipped the recruitment in OU’s favor, per Eli Lederman of the Tulsa World.

“One of the main things was going to the SEC,” Tatum said. “Being a big dog in football and baseball. Growing up you see the LSUs, the (Texas) A&Ms, the Alabamas, the Georgias. I’m going to be part of the big dogs. Getting a chance to play baseball and football in the SEC is just something I couldn’t deny.”

Tatum is listed as measuring over 5-10 and 205 pounds. The 5-star recruit is the 247Sports Composite’s No. 1 running back and No. 31 prospect overall in the Class of 2024.

With Tatum on board, Oklahoma now has 15 commitments in its 2024 recruiting class. Sooners fans can get a preview of what Tatum brings to Norman by checking out his junior season highlights below, via Hudl:

Featured image via Longview Gameday on Twitter @longviewgameday

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.