Early Promise and Setbacks
Andy Bass, a redshirt sophomore running back for the University of Oklahoma, has become a focal point in the early countdown to the 2026 season. Despite enduring three ACL surgeries — one in 2023 during a state championship game and another in 2025 after a second injury — he remains on the roster and is listed on the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll for both 2024 and 2025.
Born and raised just north of Norman, Oklahoma, Bass starred at Heritage Hall School before committing to OU in 2023 after receiving offers from several programs. His high school career was marked by resilience, earning Gatorade Oklahoma Football Player of the Year in 2023–24 even as he played through the first torn ACL.
A Crowded Landscape
The 2026 backfield at Oklahoma is crowded, featuring returning backs such as Xavier Robinson, Tory Blaylock and Lloyd Avant, all under the guidance of new head coach Deland McCullough. With the coaching staff reshuffling, Bass sees an opportunity to finally earn meaningful snaps.
Off the field, Bass balances athletics with academics, holding a place on the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll, underscoring his commitment to both scholarship and sport.