The 2028 recruiting boards just shifted significantly. Micah Rhodes’ decision to reopen his recruitment has instantly turned a quiet cycle into a full-blown chase. When a top-tier running back hits reset this early, programs do not wait; they pounce.
How the DeMarco Murray Departure Impacted Micah Rhodes
The move is making waves across the country. A blue-chip runner out of Texas with elite production already has major programs circling. With his recruitment wide open again, the balance of power in the 2028 class has shifted overnight.
As first reported by recruiting outlets tracking the 2028 cycle, Rhodes decommitted from the Oklahoma Sooners on Wednesday, reopening one of the most important recruitments in the nation. The No. 1-ranked running back originally pledged in January, picking Oklahoma over the Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies.
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The primary catalyst for the move was the departure of DeMarco Murray, Rhodes’ primary recruiter, who joined the Kansas City Chiefs staff in February. That relationship mattered. Murray had been involved since Rhodes was in middle school, even offering him a scholarship in the eighth grade.
BREAKING: The No. 1 RB in the 2028 class is back on the market.
5 Star Micah Rhodes decommits from #Oklahoma after his decision was tied to DeMarco Murray (now with the Chiefs)
Rhodes would be crazy to not target Georgia or Alabama where RB’s are built. Maybe Texas.#Alabama… pic.twitter.com/kOydUoHrEv
— The Cold Bench (@thecoldbench) April 1, 2026
Rhodes did not hide the uncertainty at the time. “I’m happy for Coach,” Rhodes said. “Me and my dad were talking about it. We’re trying to figure out what’s next, but honestly, we don’t know yet.”
That hesitation turned into action. Oklahoma’s 2028 class now sits empty, and the ripple effect is real. At 5-foot-10, 195 pounds, Rhodes has already emerged as a standout in the highest classification of Texas high school football. He has produced 2,241 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns over his first two seasons against top-tier 6A defenses.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has tracked Rhodes for years, seeing a scheme fit built on balance and burst. Texas A&M, under head coach Mike Elko, is pitching immediate impact and proximity. Both programs stayed in contact even after his Oklahoma commitment. Now, they are back at the front.
But this is no longer just a battle for the Lone Star State. The Georgia Bulldogs are pushing hard. Head coach Kirby Smart hosted Rhodes this spring, leaning on a proven pipeline to the NFL for running backs. Georgia’s pitch involves development and exposure on a national stage.
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That complicates the landscape. What looked like a regional lock is now a multi-team race where development, proximity, and immediate opportunity are all in play.
Back in Norman, the reset is real. New running backs coach Deland McCullough must rebuild trust from scratch. That remains a difficult task when rivals already have momentum. Next stop: summer visits and camp circuits. Rhodes is expected to stay active, with a spring game appearance in May kicking off the next evaluation window.
