Tag: demarco murray

2024 Prospect Profile: Oklahoma offers 4-star RB Nathaniel Frazier

The Oklahoma Sooners offered 4-Star running back Nathaniel Frazier out of Mater Dei High School in California.

It appeared that the Oklahoma Sooners were settled on their running back targets for the [autotag]2024 recruiting class[/autotag]. Names like [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag], [autotag]Tovani Mizell[/autotag], and [autotag]Xavier Robinson[/autotag] looked to be trending to the Sooners recently. That may be who the Sooners end up with, but they’re not leaving any stone unturned.

Over the weekend, the Oklahoma Sooners extended an offer to 2024 four-star running back Nathaniel Frazier. He was also named the Under Armour Next running back MVP with his performance at the all-star camp.

He’s a top 20 running back and a top 25 player in the state of California.

Frazier plays his high school ball with California powerhouse Mater Dei. In 2022, Frazier ran for 693 yards and eight touchdowns on just 61 carries. He averaged an incredible 11.4 yards per carry, according to Max Preps.

He’s an incredibly explosive player with legit track speed. He just put up a personal best in the 100 meters of 10.58. And that speed jumps off the screen. Frazier also displays fantastic contact balance. He’s strong and can bounce off would-be tacklers or make them miss altogether. But once he’s in the open field, Nathaniel Frazier isn’t getting caught. He’s an incredible athlete that shows off good vision and hits the hole fast, and can also beat defenders to the edge.

With his speed and big-play ability, it’s no wonder he has 20 Power Five offers to his ledger.

Nathaniel Frazier’s Recruiting Profile

Film

Hudl

Oklahoma makes top 6 for 2024 four-star RB Anthony Carrie

Oklahoma makes the top 6 for a talented four-star runner out of Tampa, Florida in Anthony Carrie.

[autotag]DeMarco Murray[/autotag]’s impact on the running back recruiting world cannot go unnoticed. Murray cast a wide net for 2024, and it’s paid massive dividends. Oklahoma has multiple options at the position this cycle.

[autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag], [autotag]Tovani Mizell[/autotag], [autotag]Jeremy Payne[/autotag], and [autotag]Xavier Robinson[/autotag] all have some projection that favors Oklahoma.

The Sooners will not be taking four running backs, so ultimately, the spaces will be a numbers game.

Added into that mix is another 2024 running back. Anthony Carrie joins the running backs tied to the crimson and cream as he listed Oklahoma in his top six via a post on his social media pages.

Carrie, a 247Sports composite four-star running back out of Tampa, Florida, is a versatile runner willing to lower his pads and fight for the tough yards. He’s not overly imposing in size, but he runs with real purpose and doesn’t shy away from running thru arm tackles.

At 6-feet and clocking in around 185 pounds, Carrie should be able to add more mass once part of a collegiate weightlifting program.

Outside of Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Notre Dame, Michigan State, and Ole Miss rounded out his top six. As it stands right now, it’s more than likely he doesn’t end up a Sooner.

Projections favor Oklahoma going in other directions at the position, but to be included in the top six for another four-star running back is a statement of the job that DeMarco Murray’s done on the recruiting trail.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1367]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz7cqqgxy50qwt player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Bryant on Twitter @thatmanbryant.

Brent Venables likes his ‘physically and mentally’ tough running back room

In an effort to replace Eric Gray’s production, Brent Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners turn to a “mentally and physically tough” running back group.

One of the questions that the Sooners have had to deal with over the last couple of years is the production of the running back position in the wake of [autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag]’s journey to the NFL. As they enter spring ball, they’re answering that question yet again.

Though Gray’s departure took a lot of production with him, [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] likes what he has in the running back room for 2023 with [autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag], [autotag]Gavin Sawchuk[/autotag], and [autotag]Marcus Major[/autotag].

Speaking with the media yesterday, Venables said, “So these are good, tough mentally and physically, players that we’re talking about at the running back position.”

They’re taking on the identity of running backs coach [autotag]DeMarco Murray[/autotag], who was a tough, do-it-all runner during his time in Norman and in the NFL. He took on heavy workloads during his playing days and was incredibly productive along the way.

“But it’s a really good strong group of guys that are really looking forward to having their opportunity to be the guy,” Venables said. “But I think for us to be at our best, we’re gonna have to have good competitive depth.”

Though offensive coordinator [autotag]Jeff Lebby[/autotag] and Oklahoma have this perceived reputation of being a pass-happy team, they’re really a running football team. In 2022, they averaged 13 more rushing attempts per game than they did passing attempts. Considering how much they want to run it, they’ll need several guys to be up to the task of taking 10-15 carries a game.

As a true freshman, Jovantae Barnes proved up to the task of being the backup running back. Although injuries opened the door for Barnes to get significant work as the backup to Eric Gray, his performance allowed him to hold onto the job. And with that performance, Barnes provided a glimpse of what’s to come for the Sooners in 2023.

Last season, Barnes ran for 519 yards and five touchdowns at 4.5 yards per carry. He ran with burst and with purpose, providing a physical element to the Sooners rushing attack.

As spring ball opened on Monday, Barnes is viewed as the frontrunner to lead the running back room in 2023. But the running back room gets a boost as Gavin Sawchuk takes on more responsibilities.

Waiting in the wings for much of 2022, Sawchuk got his opportunity to contribute significantly in the Cheez-It Bowl. In the three-point loss, Sawchuk carried the ball 15 times for 100 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry, showing off his elusiveness and speed in the open field.

Another offseason to work in the strength and conditioning program and to get further acclimated to the offense has Gavin Sawchuk on breakout watch. Because of his breakaway ability, Sawchuk adds a big-play threat to the offense that can help replace the explosive plays lost by the departures of Gray and wide receiver [autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag].

And then there’s Marcus Major. Major, a red-shirt senior, has yet to fully realize his potential. Injuries and academics have limited him the last couple of seasons, but we’ve seen what he can do when the opportunity presents itself. If he can stay healthy, he provides another player who can run with power and can create big plays.

Brent Venables is right to feel good about his lead group of running backs. There’s a lot of talent for Jeff Lebby and DeMarco Murray to deploy. If Oklahoma hopes to return to Big 12 title contention in 2023, they need their running back group to have a great year. With as much emphasis as the offense places on running the football, this group has a chance to put up some big-time numbers.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1366]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz7cqqgxy50qwt player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

Sooners trending favorite for 2024 4-Star RB Caden Durham

Oklahoma Sooners pick up a couple more crystal ball predictions for 2024 4-Star running back Caden Durham out of Duncanville, Texas.

The Sooners earned their first high school commitment since they wrapped up their 2023 class on Monday night with the commitment of 2025 quarterback Kevin Sperry. Sperry’s commitment secures Oklahoma’s 2025 class and allows them to build around the talented signal caller over the next few years.

In the more immediate future, Oklahoma is still waiting for that first 2024 commitment. It’s unclear who it may come from first, but the Sooners are positioning themselves nicely to land commitments from multiple prospects.

One such candidate is running back Caden Durham, a talented lightning bolt of a runner from one of Texas’ premier football powers. Durham plays at Duncanville High School, winners of a 6A title in 2022. In 24 hours, Durham received two crystal balls from Parker Thune of OU Insider and Mike Roach of Texas Insider. Both have him projected to go to Oklahoma.

Oklahoma is the favorite to earn Durham’s commitment according to On3’s recruiting prediction machine, with national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman logging a prediction Oklahoma’s way in December.

Durham is listed at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, but he is a tough runner you won’t catch if he sees daylight in the open field. He had 100-meter times of 10.70 and 10.72 at the AAU Region 18 qualifier in July 2022. Durham is also a Sooner legacy, with his mother being a former OU Track and Field star.

The legacy angle is there, and the connection with running backs coach DeMarco Murray surely helps. Emmett Jones, hired to coach receivers, is also a significant figure in Dallas area recruiting and has likely chipped in on Durham’s recruitment.

Oklahoma is trending for multiple running backs in 2024 as Tovani Mizell, Xavier Robinson, and Jeremy Payne all have projections in Oklahoma’s favor to join along with Caden Durham. There’s a significant chance that it’s a matter of first come, first serve, and the Sooners could take as many as three running backs in the [autotag]2024 recruiting class[/autotag].

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1367]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz7cqqgxy50qwt player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Bryant on Twitter @thatmanbryant.

10 worst NFL free-agent signings in Eagles franchise history

With the NFL’s legal tampering period set to get underway, we’re looking at the 10 worst free agent signings in Philadelphia Eagles franchise history

NFL teams make some of the worst decisions when it comes to the process of properly evaluating and, or adding big named free-agent talents to the roster. When it works, it can change your organization’s path to success, while leading to multiple playoffs or Super Bowl runs.

When it doesn’t work, it can be disastrous with costly consequences from the general manager all the way down to personnel.

We’ve compiled a list of the ten worst free-agent signings in the Eagles’ team history and almost added Eric Wilson (2021) to the list before placing him on the honorable mentions list.

Oklahoma Sooners pick up another prediction to land 2024 RB Xavier Robinson

The Oklahoma Sooners received their second prediction for 2024 running back prospect Xavier Robinson.

The Oklahoma Sooners have been in on several running backs in the 2024 recruiting cycle. In the last week, a new name emerged for the Sooners in the 2024 running back class; [autotag]Xavier Robinson[/autotag].

Robinson plays his football at Carl Albert High School in Mid West City, just outside of Oklahoma City. He was The Oklahoman’s 2022 Offensive Player of the Year after compiling 2,600 rushing yards while leading Carl Albert to a Class 5A state championship.

In the aftermath of his junior day visit to Norman on March 3, Josh McCuistion of SoonerScoop.com and Rivals issued a prediction favoring the Oklahoma Sooners.

Now it’s 247Sports adding to the prediction list. Brandon Drumm of OUInsder submitting a crystal ball favoring the Oklahoma Sooners.

Robinson is a ready-made college prospect, standing 6 feet, 2 inches and 218 pounds, according to 247Sports. He displays great patience in the backfield, waiting for the hole to open. Robinson has good lateral agility, fantastic strength and the speed to run away from defenders.

With multiple predictions from different sources in the recruitment of Xavier Robinson, it appears the Sooners have the inside track for the local 2024 prospect.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1367]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz7cqqgxy50qwt player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

All-time look at every Oklahoma Sooners five-star player in the 247Sports database

Every five-star player for the Oklahoma Sooners in the modern recruiting era.

The Oklahoma Sooners just had arguably the best recruiting class since 2000. With three five-star signees, Oklahoma finished fourth in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings for the 2023 cycle.

[autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] became the program’s fourth five-star quarterback signee in the modern era, following [autotag]Rhett Bomar[/autotag], [autotag]Spencer Rattler[/autotag] and [autotag]Caleb Williams[/autotag].

Arguably the most productive position group among the five-stars that have played for the Oklahoma Sooners has been running back. Though the defensive tackles could make a strong case, the work [autotag]Adrian Peterson[/autotag], [autotag]DeMarco Murray[/autotag] and [autotag]Joe Mixon[/autotag] did while in Norman puts them among the best Sooners backs of all time.

Defensive tackle is the other spot that could make a case for best five-star position group with [autotag]Gerald McCoy[/autotag] and [autotag]Tommie Harris[/autotag].

Only one five-star rated player never played a snap for the Sooners, linebacker Chris Patterson. Patterson went the junior college route before playing a season with Kansas State.

Here’s a look at every five-star player to play for the Oklahoma Sooners in the 247Sports database.

Sooners earn another prediction for 2024 four-star RB Tovani Mizell

Since decommitting from Georgia, the Sooners have picked up a pair of predictions for four-star running back Tovani Mizell.

In a turn of events, 2024 four-star running back Tovani Mizell decommitted from Georgia on Wednesday night after spending the weekend in Norman. Not long after the decommitment, Parker Thune of OUInsider at 247Sports issued a crystal ball in favor of the Sooners.

Well, Oklahoma has now received a second recruiting prediction, this time from SoonerScoop and Rivals’ recruiting analyst Josh McCuistion. He issued his Rivals FutureCast for the talented Mizell.

Mizell, a four-star runner out of Maryland, is a top 20 back in the 2024 class. He had been committed to the Bulldogs since August. He brings an upright running style that’s both physical and elusive. He’s got the speed to run away from defenders and the agility to bounce plays to the outside.

Oklahoma has been hot on the trail for several four-star running backs and one that could very well be by the end of the cycle with in-state prospect Xavier Robinson.

If the predictions hold true, the Oklahoma Sooners could very well land several running backs in the cycle, including Mizell.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1367]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz7cqqgxy50qwt player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

Oklahoma Sooners receive crystal ball for Georgia decommit, 4-Star RB Tovani Mizell

Parker Thune of OUInsider at 247Sports issued a crystal ball prediction for Tovani Mizell, who recently decommitted from the Georgia Bulldogs.

More positive news continues to flow for the Oklahoma Sooners after a big weekend in Norman. Hosting a plethora of 2024 prospects over the last weekend, Oklahoma has received several recruiting predictions for several prospects.

Five-star defensive lineman [autotag]Williams Nwaneri[/autotag] and three-star running back [autotag]Xavier Robinson[/autotag] have both been projected to the Oklahoma Sooners. And now, the Sooners could be on the verge of landing [autotag]Tovani Mizell[/autotag], a four-star running back out of Maryland.

Mizell, who decommitted from the Georgia Bulldogs on Wednesday evening, is a top 20 running back in the 2024 recruiting cycle. Parker Thune of OUInsider at 247Sports issued a crystal ball in favor of the Sooners less than an hour after Mizell withdrew his pledge to the Bulldogs.

Mizell was part of the contingent that descended on Norman over the weekend for a look at the Oklahoma Sooners football program. Something about his unofficial visit must have resonated deeply as days later, and he’s reconsidered his football future.

Running backs coach DeMarco Murray has made a strong impression on the 2024 running back class. In addition to Mizell, in-state prospect Xavier Robinson, and four-star RB Caden Durham appear to be trending to the Sooners as well.

Mizell is a big runner at 6-0 and 190 pounds and runs with impressive strength and agility. He’s got the speed to be a big-play threat and the receiving prowess to split out wide and win in the passing game.

Tovani Mizell’s Recruiting Profile

Projections

Film

Hudl

‘You learn so much’: DeMarco Murray’s NFL experience valuable for Sooners running backs

Speaking to 94.7 The Ref, running back Jaden Knowles spoke on what DeMarco Murray meant to him and the Oklahoma Sooners.

[autotag]DeMarco Murray[/autotag] has been on a roll over the last couple of recruiting cycles. He’s helped the Oklahoma Sooners land a pair of four-star running backs in back-to-back recruiting classes.

And it doesn’t look like he’s slowing down anytime soon. The Sooners have been projected to land four-star running back [autotag]Jeremy Payne[/autotag] in the 2024 cycle and are trending in a positive direction with [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag], another four-star runner.

His experience as a highly-productive collegiate and NFL runner is paying dividends for the Oklahoma Sooners on the recruiting trail and in Norman. It’s that experience that former running back Jaden Knowles pointed to when asked about DeMarco Murray and his impact on “The Weatherman.”

“By far my favorite coach ever by far,” Knowles shared with The Rush on 94.7 The Ref in Norman. “We had a great connection. I learned so much from him when I first got here at OU. He just took my game to the next level because you learned so much from different eyes. Especially from somebody who was in the NFL, and you know, exceeded in the NFL. You learn so much stuff because you think you already know a lot about football and how to run the ball because you’ve been doing it for your entire life. But there’s some things that I’ve learned that I never thought of and that, you know, I translated to the field, which helped me a lot, you know, gave me an opportunity in 2021 season. You know, I’m just so thankful for him and wish him the best.”

Knowles was able to get some run in the 2021 season as Kennedy Brooks worked his way back after his opt-out season in 2020, and Eric Gray got up to speed with the Sooners’ offense.

The Sooners were the beneficiaries of a breakout season from [autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag], someone who’d been lost in the shuffle in 2021 under the previous regime. And with DeMarco Murray leading the way, Oklahoma looks to have a pair of runners that will be highly impactful in 2023 as well.

Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk led the way for the Sooners’ offense in the Cheez-It Bowl loss to Florida State, each going over 100 yards rushing. They ran hard, and they were decisive in a game where Oklahoma was rolling out four new offensive linemen against a really good Seminoles defensive front.

DeMarco Murray has had a huge impact for the Oklahoma Sooners as a recruiter and as a coach. In Jeff Lebby’s offense, the running game is the engine that makes it go. What Murray has done on the recruiting trail and on the development side, he’ll have the Sooners rushing attack humming for as long as he is in Norman.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz7cqqgxy50qwt player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.