Mossis Madu woke up last Saturday morning with a spring in his step because he knew he was going to get plenty of work in that day’s scrimmage.

The sophomore running back has that feeling just about every day Oklahoma practices this spring.

“I know I’m going to get plenty of chances to carry the ball,” Madu said. “I know it.”

This spring is really the opportunity a young player fighting to get on the field should beg for.

The Sooners’ top two returning running backs from last season — DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown — are both being held out of spring drills with knee injuries.

They’re both expected to be healthy when preseason practices begin in August, but someone has to fill the void in the spring. That has been Madu.

For the 15 practices the Sooners will go through, he’s the No. 1 guy. He’s the one the offensive coaches will see every day.

It’s the chance to make a solid impression.

The Sooner coaching staff know what Madu, a former Norman High standout, is capable of. They’ve seen in practice every day for the last two seasons.

“He’s a guy not everybody has really had a chance to see a lot of. I made this comment to a lot of people: Mossis Madu can play for a lot of people,” running backs coach Cale Gundy said. “I’m fortunate to be a coach at a position that has a lot of depth. It’s good for him to get a chance to go through the spring with the No. 1 offense and show people what he can do.”

But fans have seen only small glimpses last season. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry as a redshirt freshman in 2007. But his 40 carries and four receptions came mostly in mop-up duty.

Allen Patrick, Murray and Brown received the brunt of the work last fall. Murray and Brown will get plenty of it next fall. Incoming recruit Jermie Calhoun might get a shot. Current freshman Justin Johnson, who joins Madu as the only true running back going through spring drills, will get his chances.

This is a critical time for Madu and he knows it. The only way to prove to coaches playing time is warranted is to prove it on the field.

Thus far, no one has been disappointed. The sophomore has figured out a way to gauge his performance during his first two seasons. Gundy’s voice is the barometer.

“All he used to do is yell at me,” Madu said. “I can tell I’m getting more confidence from him. I know that’s a good thing.”