Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: Seven Sooners pivotal to OU’s success in 2023

By Chip Rouse

Oklahoma's Billy Bowman (5) celebrates an interception with Danny Stutsman (28) and Jeffery Johnson (77) in the first half during the Bedlam college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov., 19, 2022.
Oklahoma's Billy Bowman (5) celebrates an interception with Danny Stutsman (28) and Jeffery Johnson (77) in the first half during the Bedlam college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov., 19, 2022. /
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Oklahoma’s Jovantae Barnes (2) runs past Oklahoma State’s Kendal Daniels (5) during a Bedlam college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Oklahoma won 28-13.Bedlam Football
Oklahoma’s Jovantae Barnes (2) runs past Oklahoma State’s Kendal Daniels (5) during a Bedlam college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Oklahoma won 28-13.Bedlam Football /

RB Jovantae Barnes

Oklahoma lost a 1,000-yard rusher from last season in Eric Gray, but a number of people close to the team believe that the Sooner running back group is the deepest and strongest position group on the team entering the 2023 season. The leader of that group is sophomore Jovantae Barnes who ran for 519 yards and averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season, playing all season on an injured foot. He had surgery during the offseason and is back healthy and ready to go and looking forward to taking on a bigger role this season.

“Some people say I did OK my freshman year, but I’d say that wasn’t really me,” Barnes told reporters during the second week of preseason training came. “I was just getting a feel for college and just getting my feet wet.”

And he also was playing hurt last season. That should tell you a little about what to expect from Barnes as he takes over the lead role. If he can stay healthy, a 1,000-yard season is very achievable.

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