Oklahoma Sooners running backs primed for big season as 2024 college football fall camp ramps up

The Oklahoma Sooners offense is going to look completely different from a personnel standpoint in 2024. No Dillon Gabriel at quarterback. It's five star Jackson Arnold's time to shine. Drake Stoops and Austin Stogner are gone as receiving options at wide receiver and tight end. Transfer wide receiver Deion Burks could bring a huge spark to the aerial attack. But what about the ground game?

No Oklahoma running back racked up more than 750 yards on the ground a year ago and two of the three leaders in backfield touches both transferred (Tawee Walker to Wisconsin and Marcus Major to Minnesota). If the Sooners want to find any balance on offense this fall they're going to have some running backs step up in a huge way.

Oklahoma Sooners Running Backs in Fall Camp

Projected Starting Running Back

• Gavin Sawchuk

The most productive running back by far returning to Oklahoma this season is Gavin Sawchuk. Last season he was the most efficient runner on the team by far, despite facing slightly tougher boxes than his backfield mates. His 838 yards from scrimmage led the team as he averaged about 6.5 yards per touch and found the end zone nine times.

He played especially well down the stretch last year as he finished with five consecutive 100-yard games on the ground, averaging over seven yards per carry thanks to his elite mix of burst, speed, and strength, all displayed on the play in the post below.

Sawchuk was the clear leader in the backfield this spring as well, looking dominant in media availability portions of practice and the spring game. But Sawchuk isn't the only running back talent who looks ready to explode for the Sooners this season.

Running Back Rotational Depth

• Jovantae Barnes
  
• Kalib Hicks
• Sam Franklin

Unfortunately Jovantae Barnes missed much of spring with an injury, but when on the field he's an absolute force felt by every defender he faces. He missed some time last fall, which has led some to forget how good Barnes can be, but his ferocious style of play is a lot of fun (as you can see in the post below).

Despite missing the spring game Barnes should still be the team's second running back, and the one to punch in touchdowns close. Kalib Hicks and Sam Franklin both performed well in the spring game, with Hicks logging more touches than any other running back that day. Both Hicks and Franklin have consistently flashed as game-changing talent in practice, with Hicks packing a powerful punch and Franklin showcasing his elite burst, but likely settle in somewhere around RB3 and beyond (at least for this year).

True Freshman Phenom

• Taylor Tatum

The future of the Oklahoma backfield lives with Taylor Tatum. A top 50 recruit in the nation, Tatum could be the most talented running back in the entire 2024 recruiting class. If any of the running backs ahead of him falter there's a real chance he works his way into significant snaps as a true freshman. Tatum brings with him track speed, multiple years of elite production, balance, burst, and can even catch some passes like a wide receiver too.

The Sooners truly have five running backs on the roster who could start for a power conference team this season. Sawchuk should lead the way, and Barnes should bring some physical force as the bruiser. Hicks, Franklin, and Tatum will all three be ready and waiting to step and in score from anywhere as well. This is great news for a young Jackson Arnold at quarterback who might need to lean on the running game from time to time as he gets fully up to speed.

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And if you want to see how good Gavin Sawchuk was last season for Oklahoma just check out his highlights in the video below!