Stormin in Norman
Fansided

Oklahoma football: Ranking the 10 most important Sooners for 2021

By Chip Rouse

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 23: Safety Pat Fields #10, and offensive lineman Marcus Alexander #74 of the Oklahoma Sooners run onto the field for a game against the TCU Horned Frogs on November 23, 2019 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. OU held on to win 28-24. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 23: Safety Pat Fields #10, and offensive lineman Marcus Alexander #74 of the Oklahoma Sooners run onto the field for a game against the TCU Horned Frogs on November 23, 2019 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. OU held on to win 28-24. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 11
Next
Apr 24, 2021; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Eric Gray (0) runs with the ball as Oklahoma Sooners cornerback Kendall Dennis (21) defends during the spring game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2021; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Eric Gray (0) runs with the ball as Oklahoma Sooners cornerback Kendall Dennis (21) defends during the spring game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Oklahoma picked up Eric Gray from Tennessee through the transfer portal. And it couldn’t have come at a better time with attrition hitting the Sooner running back room after last season. Gray led Tennessee in rushing last season with 772 yards and averaged nearly 6.0 yards per carry. He also has solid pass-catching capability, which fits perfectly in Oklahoma’s Air Raid offense. He caught 30 passes a year ago for 254 yards.

Gray will alternate in the Sooner backfield with Kennedy Brooks, who returns to action after opting out of the 2020 season because of COVID-19 concerns.

Having the tandem of Gray and Brooks carrying the running back load for Oklahoma this season should serve the Sooners well and provide for a strong run game that helps fuel the explosive passing offense.

What Gray lacks in speed he more than makes up for with vision, quickness and elusiveness. Gray is being counted on as a major offensive contributor in the 2021 season.

Home/OU Football