Brent Venables shares insight on Jovantae Barnes' unique situation with Sooners

Although Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables didn't confirm anything, it sounds as if senior running back Jovantae Barnes could be done for the season (and with the Sooners) with the expectation to redshirt and likely transfer to finish his college career somewhere else.

Venables during Tuesday's weekly press conference ahead of hosting LSU for the Sooners' regular-season finale was asked about Barnes' situation of being hurt throughout the season and a redshirt still being a possibility. Tulsa World's Berry Tramel specifically asked how Venables deals with such a situation since its new to this day of college football.

Oklahoma RB Jovantae Barnes could miss rest of season to redshirt

"I think every case is a case of its own based on who that person has been and a body of work," Venables said. "So try to navigate that appropriately, just like you would discipline in the moment or big discipline issues."

Venables never specifically detailed Barnes' redshirt status or plans, but he did not rule out the possibility as he explained the situation on a broader scale.

"At the end of the day, we have a different environment that's not the player's fault," Venables said. "They have lots of different options now, and so I look at it with that lens, as well. Can't blame guys for wanting a little more of this or that and looking out for their futures.

"I don't think it's necessarily a selfish trait, but we've created an environment that has some selfishness to it, from an environment standpoint. My job's to make sure that things are not a distraction and people are contributing and working and showing up with a diligent mindset and work ethic and things of that nature. As long as those things are good, I'm pretty capiche about all of it."

The only specific answer Venables gave about Barnes was that he's in "good standing."

A redshirt is still possible for Barnes after appearing in only four games this season. He hasn't played since Sept. 20 against Auburn and has been a common name on the SEC Availability Report ever since. In those four games, Barnes has rushed for 45 yards and a TD on 19 carries.

Barnes was expected to be the No. 2 back this season behind Cal transfer Jaydn Ott. However, both have barely even seen the field this year as sophomore Xavier Robinson and freshman Tory Blaylock have rightfully taken over the backfield. With the young talent talent ahead of him and because it's an option, it certainly makes sense for Barnes to transfer and take advantage of his last year of eligibility somewhere else.