Oklahoma Sooners Spring Ball – Syndication Server

DeMarco Murray looking for a running back Sooners ‘can rely on every single day’

The Oklahoma Sooners have a talented group of runners, but who will emerge to be Oklahoma’s lead back in 2023?

The Oklahoma Sooners are in a familiar position at running back. They’re looking to find the guy that will replace last season’s leading rusher.

Two years ago, they were working to replace [autotag]Rhamondre Stevenson[/autotag]. Last spring, they were again looking for their lead running back after the departure of [autotag]Kennedy Brooks[/autotag].

They found answers each offseason. So there should be no concern. However, the question remains, who will be Oklahoma’s lead running back in 2023?

“I’m looking for a starter. That’s why we’re able to have the depth that we have here,” [autotag]DeMarco Murray[/autotag] said after Tuesday’s practice.

The Oklahoma Sooners have a depth chart as deep as it has been during Murray’s time in Norman. Though young, it’s four deep with blue-chip running backs [autotag]Marcus Major[/autotag], [autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag], [autotag]Gavin Sawchuck[/autotag], and [autotag]Daylan Smothers[/autotag]. Three-star runner [autotag]Kalib Hicks[/autotag] was probably one of the more underrated additions of the 2023 signing class after an incredible career at Denton Ryan.

The Sooners have talented running backs to work with. Barnes and Sawchuk entered the spring as the backs at the front of the line. The two had memorable Cheez-It Bowl performances, each rushing for over the 100-yard mark in the three-point loss to Florida State.

“Just speaking on those two guys (Barnes and Sawchuk), they’ve always had a terrific mindset,” Murray said about his returning running backs. “They’ve always had a great working habit. We’re fortunate to have them here. But we have to continue to learn and continue to grow and get stronger and get faster in all areas. I’m pleased with where they are now.”

With Major, Barnes, and Sawchuk, the Sooners have guys with some significant experience. It’s not in the same vein as Kennedy Brooks, who entered the 2021 season already with a pair of 1,000-yard seasons under his belt. At the same time, they have the experience they can build upon as Oklahoma looks for their next lead running back.

But what is Murray looking for at the running back position?

“Just a guy that you know can rely on every single day. A guy like Eric Gray, who was kind of our comfort blanket,” Murray shared on Tuesday. “No matter what happened out there, no matter what the situation was, two-minute, short-yardage, situation football, he was going to be there. He was going to get it done.”

The Sooners will deploy multiple running backs in Jeff Lebby’s up-tempo offense. Still, Oklahoma needs to find the guy they can role out there in every situation.

Gone are Eric Gray’s 246 touches. He’s going to make an NFL team happy as an incredible value selection in the middle rounds of the draft. So who will step up to replace that workload?

Barnes looks like the favorite to do so, but don’t count out the rest of the running back room as well. They’re a talented bunch that will be vying for snaps this spring and into fall camp.

“We’ve got a great group of backs who are competing for playing time and competing for that top spot. It’s been great to see and sit back and watch. They’ve got the right mindset, an extremely talented room but a close room. So for us, man, we’re as close as hell, but at the end of the day, we also compete when we step out on the field.”

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R Mason Thomas growing in every way in year two with the Sooners

After flashing as a true freshman in 2022, R Mason Thomas is showing maturation in his second year in Norman.

After arriving in Norman in early December, [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and his coaching staff had just under two months to solidify their 2022 recruiting class. By the time national signing day rolled around, the Sooners put together the No. 8 class in the 247Sports composite team rankings.

While they had their share of players flip to other schools amidst the coaching change, Venables and [autotag]Miguel Chavis[/autotag] pulled off a flip that has a chance to have big-time ramifications for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2023 and beyond.

Originally committed to Iowa State, [autotag]R Mason Thomas[/autotag] opted for the opportunity to play with Brent Venables, one of the nation’s best defensive coaches since the turn of the century. As a true freshman in year one, we saw flashes of the potential that Venables and Chavis saw. Heading into year two, Chavis likes what he’s seen from his sophomore defensive end.

“He’s busted his butt,” Defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis said on Wednesday. “And he’s twitching now. You know he’s special. Just more maturation. Maturation of my technique, maturation in the weight room, strength and conditioning. He’s almost 240 pounds, and it’s good weight.”

Thomas displayed quickness and agility off the edge for the Sooners in 2022. He had nine pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, which ranked 10th on the team. His pass rush win rate was second among Sooners defensive linemen and third on the team with at least 100 pass rush snaps last season. Only Ethan Downs was better than R Mason Thomas’ 12% win rate.

This ended up a 1st down for Kansas but look at True FR EDGE R Mason Thomas here beat the LT with an outside stutter to inside move and then blows through the LG knocking him on his butt. Playing fast and violent! #Sooners pic.twitter.com/ywjGU5fWuE

— Alex King (@AKing_Evals) October 17, 2022

He displayed some promising traits like speed, quickness, agility, and aggressiveness that will serve him well as he continues to develop in year two. With more weight added to his frame, he’ll be even more disruptive as a pass rusher in 2023.

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‘He understands what it means to be the guy’: Jackson Arnold already making a strong impression

As the Sooners embark on their first week of spring ball, Jackson Arnold is already making an impression.

Spring practice is underway for the Oklahoma Sooners. One of the more highly anticipated viewings is that of true freshman quarterback Jackson Arnold.

The highly decorated five-star quarterback is getting his first taste of the collegiate game this week, and according to offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, Arnold’s already standing out.

“He’s come in and he’s picked everything up and he’s worked incredibly hard,” Lebby said about his five-star quarterback signing. “He’s spent a lot of time building on his own. He understands what it means to be the guy here and understands what it is going to take for him to get to that point.”

The expectation for Jackson Arnold in 2023, is to sit behind Dillon Gabriel and learn what it means to be a collegiate quarterback. In a few short months, it appears he’s not sleeping on his opportunity.

With Dillon Gabriel’s final year at Oklahoma also coinciding with the Sooners final season in the Big 12, Jackson Arnold will be the quarterback that leads the Sooners into the SEC. It’s a tall task, but one that’s only going to be possible through preparation.

The talent is undeniable. He’s capable of making all the throws and has the athleticism to hurt teams with his legs as well. He’s got the competitive drive to build upon what he did over his final two years at Denton Guyer.

Arnold didn’t start on varsity until his junior year but helped lead Guyer to the Class-6A state championship game. In the build-up to year two, Arnold took the recruiting world by storm, earning five-star status and won the Elite 11 MVP and Gatorade National Player of the Year awards.

With the opportunity to learn from an experienced coordinator and quarterback, every mental and physical rep this offseason will go a long way to preparing Jackson Arnold for his future as the starting quarterback of the Oklahoma Sooners.

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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.

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Predicting the Oklahoma Sooners two-deep depth chart ahead of Spring Ball

Projecting the Oklahoma Sooners’ two-deep depth chart for spring ball.

The Oklahoma Sooners hold their first practice of spring ball on Monday. The journey to improving from their 6-7 season begins now.

Oklahoma welcomes a plethora of new players on both sides of the ball to Norman via the 2023 recruiting class and the transfer portal. A number of guys coming from the transfer portal will have an opportunity to compete for starting jobs, but at worst will be a part of the two-deep depth chart when Oklahoma lines up to play this fall.

Oklahoma experienced a number of departures on the offensive side of the ball departing for the NFL. The defense was one of the worst in college football in 2022. After a 6-7 season, there will be competitions across the board this spring and summer as the Sooners hope to get back into title contention.

Oklahoma welcomes 14 mid-year enrollees to campus as the spring semester starts

14 members of Oklahoma’s 2023 recruiting class set to join the Oklahoma Sooners as early enrollees.

Oklahoma has seen a number of players leave this offseason via the transfer portal, graduation or to pursue professional careers in the NFL. In response, Brent Venables and his coaching staff signed the program’s highest-rated class in quite some time. While we will not see any live action from Team 129 until the spring game, it will be encouraging to know that more than half of the 2023 recruiting class will enroll early to acclimate to the collegiate athlete lifestyle.

With classes starting Jan. 17, Oklahoma’s 2023 signees will move in this weekend. Which members of the Class of 2023 can we look out for in winter workouts and spring practices? Take a look below.

Edge PJ Adebawore

RB Kalib Hicks

ATH Erik McCarty

WR Keyon Brown

Fourteen of the 25 members of the class of 2023 will join the Sooners football program for the offseason program. For multiple freshmen, this early leg up can be invaluable.

For example, five-star quarterback Jackson Arnold can begin to learn the playbook, have actual live reps and build chemistry with the receivers. For players in the trenches such as Cayden Green, PJ Adebawore, Derrick LeBlanc, Ashton Sanders and Joshua Bates, the early time with Jerry Schmidt getting stronger can help their pursuit of early playing opportunities.

Brent Venables and his staff will be thrilled to welcome their newest players to the program for good as they prepare Team 129 for the 2023 season.

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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.