Ruffcorn got to know Johnson back when Johnson was Texas’ pitching coach under legendary Longhorns coach Augie Garrido.
After two solid seasons in Texas A&M’s bullpen, Ruffcorn blossomed last season under Johnson’s tutelage, leading the Big 12 with 11 saves and posting a 2.43 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 37 innings.
Ruffcorn’s 11 saves last season already puts him No. 8 on the Sooners’ career list. With another solid season, he could move into third place and enters this year 17 behind No. 2 Jeff Bajenaru — an unlikely but not unattainable mark to reach.
This season, as much as anything on the field, Ruffcorn has turned his attention onto being a leader for the Sooners.