DeMarco Murray, Sooners looking for 'bell cow' at running back
NORMAN — Oklahoma running backs coach DeMarco Murray knows a few things about his position group.
It’s a lot different than last season. But he has a lot more options, too.
Last season the Sooners leaned heavily on Eric Gray, who finished the year as one of the most productive running backs in college football. Part of that was Gray’s ability to consistently generate offense, but the Sooners were also unsure of the players behind him.
Murray is confident the Sooners have more “competitive depth” this season. But with Gray gone, the goal remains the same.
“You want to have a bell cow,” Murray said during OU media day on Tuesday. “You want to have a guy that you can count on day in and day out just like I did with Eric, then obviously some guys to spell him. At this point in our room, we’ve got a lot more talent than we did a year ago overall... But we need a guy who’s going to line up out there every single day and set the tone for us as a group and then have other guys feed off of him.”
Replacing Gray won’t be easy.
He carried the ball 213 times for 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 33 receptions for 229 yards. He finished 14th nationally in yards per carry (6.41) and also finished with the ninth-highest rushing yards in a single season at Oklahoma.
Given how much offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby likes to run the ball — the Sooners ran the ball 57 percent of the time last season, the 26th-highest mark in the country — it’s imperative the Sooners find ways to replace Gray.
The most likely candidate is Jovantae Barnes. The sophomore emerged as the No. 2 running back behind Gray late in the season, finishing with 116 carries for 519 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran as the lead running back in the Cheez-It Bowl after Gray opted out, taking 27 carries for 108 yards and a score.
Fellow second-year player Gavin Sawchuk also figures to see playing time. Sawchuk didn’t play much last season but saw an elevated role in the bowl game, turning 15 carries into 100 yards and a touchdown. Barnes and Sawchuk became the first OU freshman duo in over 30 years to each run for 100 yards in a game.
Though Murray is looking for a true lead back, the young duo showed their potential as a one-two punch in that bowl game and should both see plenty of opportunities. Despite being second-year players, Murray is looking for both guys to take leadership roles.
“As freshmen, it’s a little hard to do that at times,” Murray said. “I think those guys have earned the respect of their peers just the way they go about their business, how they work, how they conduct themselves. They need to step out of their comfort zones a little bit and be a little bit more vocal. But more importantly, they have to produce. That’s the name of the game.”
The Sooners have other options, too, and could also find ways to utilize a third running back. Redshirt senior Marcus Major is the veteran of the group and was the No. 2 running back early last season before missing much of conference play with an injury. Former Washington running back Emeka Megwa was a four-star prospect out of Timber Creek High School, though injuries have derailed his career thus far.
The team is excited about Daylan Smothers and Kalib Hicks, a pair of running backs the Sooners added from the 2023 class. Murray said Smothers has even shown his potential as a pass catcher.
Either way, Murray thinks the group has a ton of potential.
“I think they’re all different, uniquely different in their own ways," Murray said. "Obviously we’ve got some powerful guys, some strong guys, but they’re all guys that are ready to come in and work and compete every day. So I’m excited to obviously continue to develop those guys in the right direction. But the versatility that room has in itself is exciting.”
With the Sooners beginning fall camp on Thursday, Murray is excited about who could emerge. But he made one thing clear.
He’ll be looking for a replacement for Gray.
“There is no primary guys. I’m looking for a starter. They know that. [Barnes and Sawchuk] have put themselves in a position to work and get some reps, but we’re looking for a starter. We’ve got some good talent but as far as No. 1 running back, we don’t have that right now. We’re working on that.”