Oklahoma running back pecking order is already taking shape during fall camp

The pecking order of the Oklahoma Sooners’ backfield is starting to figure itself out, at least for the moment heading into the 2026 college football season.

At the start of fall camp, running back suddenly seemed to be the biggest depth chart question mark for the Sooners under new position coach Deland McCullough. However, after nearly a week of practice, that picture is already clearer of how the bulk of carries will be distributed at the start of the season.

Read more: Adrian Peterson puts Oklahoma's running backs on notice before 2026

Xavier Robinson is healthy and quickly emerging on Sooners depth chart

Before last week, it was assumed returners Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock would again lead the backfield as a 1-2 punch. But then a day before fall camp started, McCullough admitted that Colorado State transfer Lloyd Avant was the top option after Robinson and Blaylock both missed all of spring camp because of injuries. Freshman Jonathan Hatton Jr., listed at 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, has also garnered some immediate buzz and already looks ready to carry the load as a college running back.

Matching what McCullough said, Avant has been the first running back to participate in drills, according to multiple reporters who have attended a few of the Sooners’ early practices. But a now healthy Robinson, who also missed a few fall practices, is starting to assert his dominance and take back control of the backfield.

Robinson last season as a sophomore averaged 5.1 yards a carry while amassing 421 rushing yards on 83 attempts. Blaylock still ended up leading the Sooners as a freshman with 480 yards, mostly thanks to 37 more carries.

Blaylock, though, could be losing a grip on his position as one of the Sooners’ top two backs and in no fault of his own. After missing spring camp with an injury, Blaylock was again sidelined for multiple practices this fall. According to Sooners on SI, Blaylock was at least on the field and dressed out for Tuesday’s practice but still wasn’t a full participant.

Hatton also hasn’t been a full participant during recent practices based on multiple reports. No matter the talent, any time missed is crucial for a freshman player still trying to figure things out while also trying to prove himself, especially with a coach like McCullough, who's such a stickler on details to earn playing time.

Read more: Power ranking Oklahoma's top running back options heading into 2026

With all things considered, Robinson and Avant appear to be the two leaders in the clubhouse with the season opener against UTEP on Sept. 4 still just over three weeks away. By then, Robinson’s talent should prevail, so if I had to predict a running back hierarchy for the opener, it’d go Robinson, Avant, Blaylock and Hatton. McCullough shouldn’t have the same mind-boggling rotations as DeMarco Murray did, but still don’t expect that order of rotation to be permanent.

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