Lloyd Avant is forcing Deland McCullough to rethink Oklahoma's backfield hierarchy

With two productive running backs returning from 2025 and a highly-touted freshman also joining the group, it was a surprise when new running backs coach Deland McCullough labeled Colorado State transfer Lloyd Avant as the guy at the position heading into the Oklahoma Sooners’ fall camp.

Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock were expected to be the Sooners’ one-two punch after assuming that role last season, but both missed spring camp because of injury and Avant impressed during that time. McCullough admitted on Tuesday that if the Sooners played that night, Avant would be the first running back out there. If that’s still the case for the Sooners’ season opener against UTEP on Sept. 4 is still to be seen.

“Lloyd, man, you know what, Lloyd’s real good,” McCullough told media.

Read more: Predicting Oklahoma's 2026 depth chart heading into fall camp

Avant got to Oklahoma over the offseason after transferring from Colorado State to join what was already a crowded backfield with the expectation to be a versatile back called upon as needed. But never to be a lead back.

To be frank, Avant was unimpressive at Colorado State and also was at his previous stop in Tulsa, where OU assistant Kevin Wilson was the head coach at the time. Last season as a sophomore, he rushed for 417 yards and five touchdowns while also catching 24 passes for 261 yards and another score.

As a freshman at Tulsa in 2024, Avant was most dangerous as a return man, averaging 28 yards on 14 attempts and returning one to the end zone for 100 yards. He also returned kicks for the Rams, so that and his ability as a pass-catcher seemed to be Avant’s best chance at seeing the field in a limited capacity.

But this is a benefit of the transfer portal as players get fresh starts. And fortunately for Avant, his new position coach doesn’t care where he came from or what he did before. If anything, McCullough has already shown to have a soft spot for journeyman running backs that have already been counted out.

Damien Williams is Deland McCullough’s perfect example of the surprise star Lloyd Avant could become for Sooners

Included in a long list of great running backs that McCullough has coached during his career is a familiar name to OU fans in Damien Williams, who McCullough coached when he was with the Kansas City Chiefs.

After going undrafted out of Oklahoma, Kansas City was Williams’ second NFL stop to be a special teams guy, and just like Avant now in Norman, he got there at the same time as McCullough. Those around the organization thought the new guy was crazy as McCullough raved about Williams, especially with Kareem Hunt in the same backfield.

But when Hunt was released later that season, Williams eventually took over as the lead back and earned a two-year contract extension. He went into the 2019 season as the Chiefs’ No. 1 running back and really stepped up in the NFL Playoffs as they won Super Bowl LIV. Williams became the first player in Super Bowl history to record at least 100 rushing yards with a rushing and receiving touchdown on the biggest stage.

“And here’s Lloyd,” McCullough said after making the Williams comparison. “Coming in, he’s a transfer guy, this and that. He’s not pigeon-holed, but at least coming in, he was maybe to be this type of guy.

“And here’s an example of when you put detail and different things and different cultural points in front of somebody, it strengthens them and it bolds them. And that’s what it did for Lloyd. Just the detail of what we’re doing. He’s like a poster child for the detail.”

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