100 Days to Football Time in Oklahoma: #5 T.J. Pledger
Posted on: September 7, 2020
The Path to Norman
TJ Pledger said early in his recruitment that the Sooners were RBU, so he knew heโd be visiting. A highly talented California native who played at IMG Academy in Florida, the star running back visited OU on a handful of occasions. On one such visit roughly a year before his signing day, Pledger committed to the Sooners.
Life Is A Gamble Don't Be Scared To Take That Risk..
— TJ Pledger IV (@uno_tj) March 25, 2017
110 % Commited To The University Of Oklahoma. ๐ด #STK18 pic.twitter.com/iC0fpjURR1
With IMG teammate Bookie committed to the Huskers, Nebraska seemed like a real player. As it turns out, there was nothing to worry about. Bookie and TJ both ended up as Sooners.
TFB spoke with TJโs mother to get a better understanding of their family, which can be read here:
TFB with the Family focuses on @mrspledger, mother of @uno_tj – get to know their family as they become #Sooners (via @TFB_Sooners) https://t.co/92RJQWBIMl
— Ryan Lewis (@RyanLewis_TFB) January 3, 2018
Career so Far
Pledger played at both running back and kick returner in 2018. He started out playing in the first five games; outside of a highlight-worthy Kansas State game, however, TJ did not see much playing time in the second half of the season due to injury. Additionally, with an experienced Trey Sermon and an emerging Kennedy Brooks in the backfield, it was tough to find enough carries to go around.
In 2019, Pledger missed the first four games of the year with an injury before playing in the remaining 10 games, again as both running back and kick returner. He had several nice returns on the season, but received fewer carries than he did in 2018.
Current Profile
Position: Running Back
Height: 5โ9โ
Weight: 193
Year: Junior
Stats
Stats via Soonersports.com
Highlights
Freshman T.J. Pledger with a big run. #Sooners https://t.co/qk1z0pCLCM
— ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐. ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ (@soonergridiron) October 27, 2018
T.J. Pledger breaks off a couple spin moves to get some extra yardage on this carry. ๐ฎ #Sooners https://t.co/EB936bvxyf
— ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐. ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ (@soonergridiron) October 27, 2018
TJ Pledger looks quick on his first carry of the season.#OUDNA | #BoomerSooner https://t.co/o19aOXH9pg
— ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐. ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ (@soonergridiron) October 5, 2019
2020 Season
The 2020 running back situation at OU is going to look much different than expected. With Rhamondre Stevensonโs suspension, Trey Sermonโs transfer, and Kennedy Brooksโ decision to opt out, the spot appears ripe for the taking. As a quick and powerful running back, Pledger has received a lot of positive talk throughout the past few weeks. Although guys like Marcus Major, Seth McGowan, and Stevenson (when available) will be pushing for playing time, look for Pledger to be the day one starter as his time officially comes.
