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Oklahoma Camp Questions: Running Back

Originally posted on FanNation All Sooners
By Randall Sweet | Last updated 7/28/23

AllSooners breaks down the most important questions for each position going into 2023 training camp. Today: running back:

Q: How does OU replace Eric Gray's production?

A: After a slow start to his career with the Sooners, former Tennessee running back Eric Gray exploded for over 1500 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns during his final collegiate season.

Jeff Lebby and Oklahoma's offense leaned heavily on the current New York Giants running back, giving Gray 213 carries in addition to his 33 catches as a senior at OU.

In Lebby's offense, which features a heavy dose of the ground game, the Sooners' will need to have a stable of backs ready to replace what Gray did for the team in 2022.

Last year, then-true freshman tailback Jovantae Barnes was the team's second-leading rusher, notching 116 carries for 519 yards and five touchdowns. While these are solid numbers for a first-year player, Barnes averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season compared to 6.4 from Gray.

In his second year with the program, however, Barnes seems ready to take the reigns as OU's lead back. Listed at 6-foot and 204 pounds, the former 4-star recruit missed Oklahoma's spring game with an undisclosed injury, Brent Venables said at Big 12 Media Days that Barnes is nearing a return.

"Doing some running and cutting and that kind of stuff, so no setbacks," Venables said. "We’re hoping that (Jovantae Barnes and Jacob Sexton) return to full speed here soon."

Barnes topped 100 yards twice last season, once against national runner-up TCU and once in the Cheez-It Bowl against Florida State. Barnes also added two touchdowns against the Horned Frogs and one against the Seminoles.

Redshirt freshman and former 4-star running back Gavin Sawchuk will likely also factor in to replacing Gray. The Valor Christian (CO) product saw only two touches all season prior to the Sooners' bowl game against Florida State, but made the most of his opportunity when Gray elected not to play against the Seminoles.

Sawchuk notched 15 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown in the Cheez-It Bowl, giving OU fans hope that the speedy halfback will make a major impact during his second year with the program.

Q: How does Marcus Major factor into the Sooners' backfield?

A: Coming out of high school, Marcus Major was a highly sought after, 4-star running back.

The Millwood (OK) product was being pursued by the likes of Alabama, Oklahoma, Michigan, Texas, USC and many other programs before committing to Lincoln Riley and the Sooners.

Since then, Major has not been able to find a steady role in Norman, dealing with injuries, suspensions and a tumble down the depth chart. As a redshirt junior last season, Major played in a career-high nine games, running for 227 yards and four touchdowns.

The Oklahoma City native has shown flashes of greatness in his time with the Sooners, but has never been able to consistently stack these moments.

Now a redshirt senior, Major is the most seasoned veteran in OU's running back room. If the powerful tailback has a good offseason, his experience could help earn him significant playing time in a room full of young, mostly inexperienced backs.

Q: Will another back rise to prominence?

A: Barnes, Sawchuk and Major all have one year of experience in Lebby's offense, giving these three an upper hand over the rest of the Sooners' running back room.

Behind this trio however, are three unproven backs who will all have the chance to earn carries this season. True freshmen Kalib Hicks and Daylan Smothers as well as Washington transfer Emeka Megwa will all battle to earn carries in what is a largely unproven backfield.

With no true incumbent starter, all six of the aforementioned players realistically have a chance to see the field early in the season. Whichever back has the most success in their time on the field will likely earn themselves more touches as the season goes on.

While Barnes is expected to receive the bulk of the Sooners' carries this season, fall camp and the early season games may serve as a tryout period for Lebby and company to see which ball carrier will emerge as Oklahoma's No. 2 back.

If OU is able to get production out of Hicks or Smothers, it would be a big help for Dillon Gabriel and the rest of the Sooners' offense.

Five of the Sooners' main six running backs are in their first or second year with the program, making for an interesting year in the backfield. By the end of the season, however, fans could see one of Oklahoma's running backs have a breakout year and cement themselves as one of Lebby's primary ball carriers.

Thanks to running backs coach DeMarco Murray, the Sooners' have recruited well in the backfield and should be set for the next few years with a talented group of young backs.