After at one point looking like he could be the Oklahoma Sooners' next great running back, Taylor Tatum will be the running back of the future for someone else.
With the Transfer Portal officially opening at midnight ET Friday, Tatum entered the portal Friday morning with three years of eligibility left, according to Pete Nakos of On3.
Oklahoma RB Taylor Tatum enters Transfer Portal
Tatum impressed as a freshman in 2024 alongside fellow classman Xavier Robinson. After immediately getting carries, Tatum rushed for 278 yards and three touchdowns while averaging five yards on 56 carries. His career-high to this point came in his college debut when he posted 69 yards and scored his first TD against Temple in the season opener.
Remember our incoming freshman series?
— Fantasy Wildcard Devy (@WildcardDevy) August 31, 2024
Taylor Tatum was one of the highest recruited incoming running backs and he wasted no time in making the most of his touches in the second half.
5 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown. Well done young man! pic.twitter.com/6phxazFBei
That was somewhat expected from Tatum, though, as a consensus four-star recruit from Longview High School in Texas. Most major recruiting outlets ranked him as a top-50 overall prospect in the 2024 class and as the top running back.
However, thanks to injury and new talent emerging, Tatum appeared in just one game this season and will be able to redshirt to have three years of eligibility left. In that lone appearance against South Carolina, Tatum got one carry and lost a yard.
Robinson and freshman Tory Blaylock took over the Sooners' clear 1-2 in the backfield and both are expected to return in 2026. OU also brought in Jaydn Ott from Cal, and although he was a bust, he still cut into Tatum's possible opportunities, as well as Jovantae Barnes.
Ott and Barnes won't be back next season, but Tatum would still be at least No. 3 on the pecking order behind Robinson and Blaylock. Colorado State transfer Lloyd Avant is also reportedly visiting Oklahoma this weekend to possibly add another body to the mix. Jonathan Hatton Jr., who just signed as a four-star recruit in the 2026 class, also has the potential to be a breakout star.
The Sooners appeared loaded at running back, and are still top heavy with Robinson and Blaylock, but Tatum's recent departure with Barnes and Ott does solidify OU's need to use the portal to add depth to the position.