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Watch List RB Thomas commits to OU

Oklahoma earned one big win on the field with a thrilling 50-49 victory at West Virginia. The Sooners also earned a major win on the recruiting trail when 2014 ESPN Watch List running back Devon Thomas (Broken Arrow, Okla./Broken Arrow) confirmed he committed to OU on Saturday night.

Thomas said he told OU running backs coach Cale Gundy on Saturday through Twitter. Thomas said Gundy was excited to hear the news.

“Coach Gundy has been wanting me to commit for a while now,” Thomas said. “I sat down and talked about it with my family and decided it’s time to make it official.”

Thomas said he committed to OU, but he’s also looking at Texas and LSU as schools he is still heavily interested in. He also has offers from Oklahoma State and Clemson, among others.

OU has had Thomas on its radar for a long time. During its junior day, Thomas was one of only two sophomores invited to attend. He has been a frequent visitor to OU home games the last two seasons. He will be on hand once again next week for Bedlam against Oklahoma State.

That moment will be even more special.

“I’m going to get there real early before the game and tell the coaches in person that I’m committed to OU,” Thomas said. “I’m already committed, but I want to do it in person and let them know I’m with the Sooners.”

Following an incredible sophomore season, Thomas wasn’t able to duplicate that this season. He was suspended for the first three games for unspecified reasons.

But Gundy never gave up on him. And when Thomas was going through his tough times, Gundy was there to encourage him.

“Coach Gundy is like a second father to me,” Thomas said. “I wanted to get this over with before OU starts looking in another direction for their running back. You can’t beat OU’s tradition.”

Thomas is the second commit for OU’s 2014 class, joining ESPN Watch List wide receiver Armanti Foreman (Texas City, Texas/Texas City).