Oklahoma football – Post Spring complete player breakdown – Running backs

Writer’s note: This will be a series entitled “Post Spring player breakdown” where I will detail a breakdown of where every player within the Oklahoma football program sits. There will be another full roster breakdown following the team’s fall camp practices in August. 

Oklahoma running backs coach Demarco Murray left the Cheez-It Bowl in Orlando disappointed in the Sooner’s bowl game loss at the hands of the Florida State Seminoles. However, his disappointment had to have been eased by the performances of his running backs, not only in the bowl game, but the entire season. Former Oklahoma running back and current New York Giant’s rookie Eric Gray was a consistent shining star in an inconsistent Sooner offense. Gavin Sawchuk and Jovantae Barnes displayed optimistic performances during the bowl game, and equally promising performances during the Sooners’ 2023 Spring practices.

Now let’s discuss 2023’s running back situation. Beginning first with the expected starter and working down in playing time.

Jovantae Barnes – Sophomore

Jovantae had a huge spring impressing media members, fans, and the Sooners coaching staff. He’s an athletic back who specializes in getting to the edge in zone runs and utilizing his versatility out of the backfield. Jovantae rushed the ball 116 times in 2022 for 519 yards and 5 touchdowns. Jovantae’s first career start was against the Seminoles in the Cheez-It-Bowl where he had 27 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown. He was impressive during the season, especially for a freshman back. Jovantae is obviously quick and agile; however, the first thing I notice when I watch him run is his physicality. He is a punishing running back. He searches for contact and engages defenders with violence.

Jovantae exited Spring practice just days prior to the Spring game to have a minor operation to clear up a nagging medical issue. He is expected to be fully recovered prior to Fall camp and compete for a starting position against Gavin Sawchuk. Coach Venables advised that Barnes was dealing with a nagging issue stemming from high school and I was taken back when I heard him say this. If what we saw in 2022 out of Jovantae was him dealing with a nagging injury, I can’t wait to see what this young man can do at 100-percent.

Gavin Sawchuk – Redshirt Freshman

Gavin Sawchuk made his college debut versus TCU on October 1st; however, he truly introduced himself to Sooner Nation in the Cheez-It-Bowl. Against the Seminoles, Sawchuk rushed 17 times for 100 yards and 1 touchdown.

Sawchuk had a very productive Spring practice as well. He received high praise from Coach Demarco Murray and Head Coach Brent Venables. They were impressed with his speed and his ability to fit into the offense even though he lacks experience. Sawchuk is brings more speed to the offense than Barnes but not by much. He plays with equally impressive physicality and his pads are always low, seeking engagement with defenders and forcing his way through arm tackles at the line of scrimmage.

I would consider Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk to be more of a 1A and 1B than a 1 and 2. Both backs will bring a dynamic aspect to Jeff Lebby’s offense this season. These two are the reason I would consider the Oklahoma running back room the most solid position in the program, with the defensive backs room being a very close second.

Marcus Major – Redshirt Senior

Marcus Major is the senior leader in the Sooners’ running back room. He experienced struggles in 2022 and those struggles may have spilled over to the Spring. In 2022, Major missed Spring practice due to a hand injury and created a massive opportunity for Barnes and Sawchuk. Major has been plagued with injuries during his time in Norman; however, Coach Venables explained that his current injury is not too serious and he will be ready for Summer workouts.

Major has accumulated playing time in 28 games over his four seasons for the Sooners. He has totaled 525 yards on 116 carries for 7 touchdowns. Major has also hauled in 11 receptions for 102 yards and a score. Marcus Major is an extremely physical running back that brings the contact to the defender. This could be a possibility as to why he continues to experience injuries. Major is great at lowering his pad level and inflicting punishment on defenders. If Major can be 100-percent going into Fall camp he will earn a spot on the running back rotation this Fall. This will give the Sooner offense a three headed monster in the backfield.

Kalib Hicks – Freshman

Kalib Hicks is an impressive freshman running back. He has a solid lower body built for power and explosion, both of which he consistently showed during the Sooners’ Spring practices. Hicks was a 4-star running back prospect in high school according to On3. Hicks runs with a short/choppy stride and also, like the previous three backs, embraces contact with defenders.

Hicks had a solid spring and has developed a reputation as a hard worker and high-effort guy. If Marcus Major continues to see setbacks by injuries, or if any of the two starters experience an injury, I would fully expect Hicks to see an opportunity to step in and get playing time. Hicks is one of the freshmen on the team I am most excited to see develop into an every down back while in the Crimson and Cream.

Daylan Smothers – Freshman

Daylan enrolled in Norman this January after being recruited out of West Charlotte, H.S., as a 4-star recruit. Mr. North Carolina Football 2023 has been working hard as a member of the Oklahoma football program. He was named as one of Oklahoma’s student-athletes of the week during the first week of May. Daylan has a massive work ethic and great humility within his personality.

Athletically, Daylan is a shifty running back. He averaged 7.3 yards per carry in the 2023 Spring game. He runs with patience and explodes when the time presents itself. He reminds me of a smaller Ezekiel Elliott because of the patience he shows when he runs the ball. I don’t see an opportunity for Daylan to see the field much this season. Still, that’s not bad for two reasons. 1) RBs have a short shelf life; let him conserve himself. 2) The Sooner running back room is talented and deep. There simply needs to be more room.

I hope Daylan doesn’t get too frustrated by not seeing much time in 2023. He’s a crucial piece of the Oklahoma football program’s future. Hopefully, he stays patient and waits his turn because Daylan Smothers will be a special running back at the University of Oklahoma.

Tawee Walker – Junior

Tawee Walker had the best performance of all the running backs in the Oklahoma Spring game… period. He put his name on the map for future opportunities in the Sooner offense. He showed explosiveness with the ball in his hands and he displayed a new level of versatility out of the backfield in the passing game.

The same issue stands for Walker that is present for Daylan Smothers. The running backs room in Norman is deep and it’s going to be difficult for these guys to find time.

Chapman McKown – Freshman

Mckown is a freshman walk-on from Norman North high school. He rushed for over a thousand yards and and 13 touchdowns as a senior at Norman North. McKown received scholarship offers from all three of the countries service academies but instead chose to be a Sooner. McKown is a preferred walk-on with the Sooner football program and one that I feel has the potential to earn a spot on the field in his career at some point. His work ethic is immense and he has a knack for making plays. He will be on the field one day, it’s just a matter of time.

Emeka Megwa – Redshirt Sophomore

Megwa transferred to OU mid-August 2022 from the University of Washington. He did not play for the Sooners in 2022 due to eligibility issues. He had a meniscus tear entering Spring and was unable to participate. It is unlikely Megwa will find time in the Sooners regular running back rotation this fall.

Oklahoma Football – Running Backs Conclusion

This running backs room is a good problem for a program to have. The room is too deep and talented to let everyone see time on the field in a running back role. There are about 70 to 90 offensive plays called each game. If we split that down the middle (which is never the case) there are 40ish plays for RBs. That is nowhere near enough opportunities for more than three running backs to share.

Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk are 1A and 1B… period. The biggest question to answer in the RB room is who is the clear #3? That is the spot most of these guys are competing for. Personally, I feel Kalib Hicks will eventually win out for this role. However Daylan Smothers has also been a consistent source of production in practice and he is an absolute speed demon. Once again, good problems to have.

Overall I give this group an A. They’re deep, talented, and led by the second best offensive individual coach on the roster outside of Bill Bedenbaugh. I think the Sooners’ running backs will be the brightest spot on Jeff Lebby’s second year offense in 2023. That is a good problem to have.