The running back position has seen a ton of turnover this spring. The Sooners lost Rhamondre Stevenson to the NFL draft. Seth McGowan and Mikey Henderson were dismissed due to legal issues. Despite those three departures, there’s a lot of excitement about what the Oklahoma Sooners are bringing into the 2021 college football season.
In a tumultuous offseason that also saw the return of Kennedy Brooks and the addition of Eric Gray in the transfer portal, Tre Bradford came in with much less fanfare at the running back spot.
Coming over from LSU, Bradford has just 19 career snaps to his ledger and 10 career rushing attempts. Most of his work came at the end of the 2020 season against Ole Miss.
Bradford carried the ball nine times for 53 yards in that matchup, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. He picked up four first downs in the Tigers 53-48 shootout win over the Rebels.
Since joining the Sooners, he’s earned the praise of the veteran running backs on the depth chart. Last week, speaking to the media, Eric Gray had this to say:
Tre has done a great job acclimating. I’ve kind of been in charge of Tre. He’s been in my workout group. Getting him acclimated to the system. Getting him learning the system, the schemes, the protections. You should definitely expect a strong, elusive runner, who’s also fast, who can also breakaway and really show off some speed.
Yesterday, Kennedy Brooks added, “He’s a very explosive dude. When the ball’s in his hands, he does great things. He’s fast, strong. I see a bright future for him.”
Though he likely comes in behind Brooks and Gray on the depth chart, Bradford will mix in with Marcus Major for those third running back repetitions. Despite his standing on the depth chart, Bradford’s size, speed, and explosiveness will allow him to make a big impact in his first year with the Oklahoma Sooners.