There will likely never be another Oklahoma running back that produces like Adrian Peterson did, but it’s clear he believes the guys there now in his old shoes still need to be better than what they have been.
The lack of a running game has been the Sooners’ biggest headache the last two seasons that fans pray is better in 2026. Most of the time, the offensive line, play-calling or former running backs coach DeMarco Murray’s head-scratching backfield rotations have gotten the blame, but when talking to Roto Grinders’ Kyle Odegard, Peterson somewhat called out the running backs for the lack of production.
“Me and DeMarco, we texted back and forth during the season. He asked a couple questions about what I thought of a couple things, and I shared what I thought,” Peterson said. “I do feel like that position was kind of something that hindered us from being that explosive offense that we can be when everything is working on all cylinders.
“I feel like there will be a little more emphasis on the run game, but you put emphasis on the run game when you’ve got guys back there that are being productive. I feel like if we can do that, it will put us over the hump.”
Sooners running backs finally get some blame for lack of production
The aforementioned issues of the offensive line, play-calling and Murray, who’s now with the Kansas City Chiefs, are certainly problems that need to be solved, but it was probably about time someone pointed the finger at the guys actually running the football. Despite being the key part of the ground game, the Sooners’ running backs really haven’t suffered much criticism the past few years (other than Jaydn Ott).
Last season, the Sooners averaged 118.5 rushing yards a game, which was among the bottom 50 in all of college football. There hasn’t been a 1,000-yard rusher at Oklahoma since Eric Gray in 2022. That not only reveals an obvious issue, but a consistent one.
With Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock back, plus the mobile John Mateer at quarterback, the Sooners return about 90% of their rushing production from last season, which head coach Brent Venables already joked during the spring wasn’t much. OU also returns four of five starting offensive linemen to pave the way after starting three freshmen up front in 2025.
All that and a revamped tight end position under new assistant Jason Witten all point to the running game being better in 2026. It's new running backs coach Deland McCullough's job now to assure the running backs hold up their end.
Read more: Lloyd Avant is forcing Deland McCullough to rethink Oklahoma's backfield hierarchy
What feels like could be a red flag, though, is that it hasn’t been Robinson or Blaylock that’s been getting offseason praise from McCullough and teammates. Both missed spring camp with injuries, and during that time, Colorado State transfer Lloyd Avant and freshman Jonathan Hatton Jr. have been raising eyebrows.
McCullough said this week ahead of fall camp that if the Sooners played that night, Avant would be the starter. That obviously might change by Sept. 4 when the Sooners host UTEP.
An optimist would say maybe that means the Sooners really found a gem from the Group of 6 level in Avant. But if your glass is half empty, maybe Peterson is correct if a portal addition from Colorado State is already stealing the spotlight.
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