The Oklahoma Sooners are in need of a running game to make a major step in 2026 if they want to prove last season wasn't a fluke and the Sooners are a legit College Football Playoff contender.
When it comes to having a strong running game, a team needs good running backs, a good offensive line, a good tight end room and a good scheme. The Sooners feel this year's team is better in those areas than last year's team.
While the run game has been an emphasis, there has been an under-the-radar running back that is pushing to be Oklahoma's starter. Coming into the offseason, many thought the top spot would go to Tory Blaylock or Xavier Robinson. The two were the main contributors on last season's team. There had been some offseason buzz around true freshman Jonathan Hatton Jr. However, it's another name that's getting most of the first-team reps
Lloyd Avant, transfer running back, has been getting running back one reps so far," On3's J.D. PicKell said on 'The Hard Count.' "That's great. Two things I'm tracking, though. One, who else pops up in that rotation with Avant to take carries... In addition to that, what does it look like when the pads come on? Does that pecking order change at all?"
Avant arrived at Oklahoma without the same level of attention as some of the other running backs in the room. The transfer spent time at Colorado State and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, rushing for 676 yards and six touchdowns across his two seasons. His biggest reputation, however, came as a kick returner.
#however
When it comes to having a strong running game, a team needs good running backs, a good offensive line, a good tight end room and a good scheme. The Sooners feel this year's team is better in those areas than last year's team.
While the run game has been an emphasis, there has been an under-the-radar running back that is pushing to be Oklahoma's starter. Coming into the offseason, many thought the top spot would go to Tory Blaylock or Xavier Robinson. The two were the main contributors on last season's team. There had been some offseason buzz around true freshman Jonathan Hatton Jr. However, it's another name that's getting most of the first-team reps
Lloyd Avant, transfer running back, has been getting running back one reps so far," On3's J.D. PicKell said on 'The Hard Count.' "That's great. Two things I'm tracking, though. One, who else pops up in that rotation with Avant to take carries... In addition to that, what does it look like when the pads come on? Does that pecking order change at all?"
Avant arrived at Oklahoma without the same level of attention as some of the other running backs in the room. The transfer spent time at Colorado State and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, rushing for 676 yards and six touchdowns across his two seasons. His biggest reputation, however, came as a kick returner.
#however
3 months ago
