Freedom High's Joe Mixon selects Oklahoma

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

The Freedom High senior, the nation's No. 1 all-purpose high school running back according to Rivals.com, 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 on Thursday 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."

Reaction from the Sooner Nation came swiftly, including a tweet from coach Bob Stoops. "BOOM 925!! #Sooners," he tweeted.

Mixon can make his decision official on the national football signing day on Feb. 5.

Mixon said he received 51 offers and made numerous recruiting trips during the long process. 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.

"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."

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Freedom High's Joe Mixon selects Oklahoma