Many fans might quickly forget about the Oklahoma Sooners' most recent Transfer Portal addition, but they'll get a reminder at some point during the season.
Colton Sulley of The Oklahoman reported on Monday that Colorado State transfer running back Lloyd Avant committed to the Sooners with two years of eligibility left after visiting Norman over the weekend. The move will reunite Avant with one of his former head coaches in Kevin Wilson, who was the head coach at Tulsa before joining OU as an offensive analyst last year.
Colorado State RB Lloyd Avant reunites with Kevin Wilson at Oklahoma
Avant is a versatile player that could fill multiple roles for the Sooners at a bargain, and he could be a steal thanks to that previous connection with Wilson. Avant has done it all between running the ball, catching passes out of the backfield and returning kicks at both of his previous stops.
This season for Colorado State, Avant posted 946 all-purpose yards with 417 on the ground, 261 through the air and 268 on kickoff returns. He also had a team-high five rushing touchdowns while having the second-most carries. He also caught a 41-yard TD pass.
As a freshman at Tulsa in 2024, Wilson also took advantage of Avant's versatility even as a newcomer. Avant had 713 all-purpose yards as a frosh under Wilson. Avant was second on the team with 76 carries for 259 yards and a score, plus 12 catches for 62 yards. In his college debut, Avant returned a kick for a 100-yard TD before amassing 392 yards on 14 attempts.
That familiarity will provide a smooth transition for the Sooners to immediately know how to utilize Avant in Ben Arbuckle's system. OU has a solidified 1-2 punch with Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock returning, but Avant can fill the void that depth pieces Jovantae Barnes and Jaydn Ott left behind.
The Sooners had big plans for Ott and his versatility after getting him as the No. 1 running back in the portal during the spring, but he was a complete bust. Avant could have similar expectations based on a role in the offense, but for a much cheaper price and a lot less risk.
If that holds true, Avant could fill spots left by Ott and Barnes, who both underwhelmed in 2025, while also manning kickoff returns to take a possible load off wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III. Avant likely won't lead the Sooners in any offensive category next season, but he could still be enough to add the flare that Arbuckle wanted in his offense with Ott.