Running back Joe Mixon made his long-awaited college decision, selecting Oklahoma during Saturday's U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio.

The Freedom High senior, the nation's No. 1 all-purpose high school running back, according to Rivals, picked the Sooners over Wisconsin, UCLA and Cal.

Mixon, who scored a touchdown Saturday for the West team and was named the game's MVP, said the Sooners' strong performance in a 45-31 upset of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl helped seal the deal.

"It meant a lot. It did," Mixon said in an interview during Saturday's nationally televised game. "Once they won the Alabama game that shut the deal. Now I'm a Sooner. Let's get it."

But the year-long recruiting process was much more involved. He received 51 offers and made numerous recruiting trips. Mixon, a five-star recruit, wore No. 28 in Saturday's game -- the number of former Sooners star Adrian Peterson.

"I want to thank my family. I want to thank God. I want to thank my coaches and everybody back home for representing me," Mixon said before donning the Oklahoma cap on the telecast. "I came down here to represent them and put on a show for everybody."

Mixon, who is 6-foot-2 and 214 pounds, is among the most highly-recruited East Bay football players ever, along with past standouts De La Salle's D.J. Williams, Aaron Taylor and Amani Toomer, El Cerrito's Jamir Miller and Monte Vista's Kyle Wright.

"I'm just a Joe fan," Freedom coach Kevin Hartwig said. "He'll walk into a room and he just lights it up. ... There's been some great athletes to come out of the Bay Area, and he's definitely up there."

Mixon made his mark on a national stage on Saturday. He scored on a touchdown run in the first half. Earlier he turned a short pass reception into a big gain with some dazzling moves. After his touchdown, Mixon tossed the ball into the crowd before being interviewed on the sideline.

"It's well-deserved. Joe's a very special guy," Hartwig said of Mixon's big day. "He's a hard worker and he's earned everything he's got. It was fun to watch him play today on a national stage."

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Freedom High's Joe Mixon selects Oklahoma