Oklahoma Sooners Lose Another Running Back to the Transfer Portal: What It Means for the Program’s Future
In a season of change and unpredictability for the Oklahoma Sooners, another blow to the running back depth chart has come in the form of a key transfer portal exit. As the Sooners continue to navigate their way through a transformative period under head coach Brent Venables, the departure of yet another running back raises more questions than answers about the future of the position and the program as a whole.
The running back position has historically been a cornerstone of Oklahoma football, with the program producing some of the best to ever play the position, including Heisman Trophy winners like Billy Sims, Samaje Perine, and more recently, Kennedy Brooks. But now, as the Sooners struggle to maintain consistency at key positions, their running back room has suffered multiple defections, leaving the program to deal with yet another setback.
This article will dive into the implications of the transfer portal departure, explore the current state of the Oklahoma running back room, and analyze how this loss will impact the Sooners’ 2025 season and beyond.
The transfer portal, now an integral part of the college football landscape, has dramatically changed the way programs manage their rosters. It has opened the door for players to seek new opportunities at other schools, often leading to immediate eligibility and an easier path for players to find playing time. For Oklahoma, the loss of a second running back to the portal marks a continuing trend that has left the program scrambling to maintain its standing among the nation’s elite.
While the transfer portal has certainly helped many players find new homes, it also exposes programs to the risk of losing key players at positions of need. For Oklahoma, this latest running back departure is just another reminder of the uncertainties and challenges that come with roster management in the modern college football era.
The first of these departures was a surprise to many who had high expectations for the Sooners’ running game. While it is unclear why the player chose to leave, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that the Sooners may not be the only program affected by the growing trend of talent leaving via the portal.
Although the specifics surrounding the transfer portal exit have yet to be fully disclosed, there are a few factors that could have contributed to the running back’s decision to leave Oklahoma. The Sooners have gone through a tumultuous period in terms of their offensive strategy, with a coaching staff and roster still trying to find their identity under Venables.
Venables, who took over as head coach in 2022, has faced the daunting task of reshaping Oklahoma’s defense while also keeping the offense competitive. His defensive-minded philosophy has led to changes on both sides of the ball, with offensive consistency being a major point of concern. For running backs in particular, the Sooners have struggled to establish a strong ground game in recent seasons, relying heavily on quarterback mobility and patchwork solutions at running back.
Additionally, with the growing competition at the position, some players might not have seen the playing time they anticipated, especially if the depth chart became more crowded with incoming recruits or transfers. In such a scenario, players are often left with little choice but to look elsewhere for an opportunity to compete at a high level.
The loss of a second running back to the portal underscores these concerns, as Oklahoma continues to face questions about its ability to retain talent at key positions. While this is not an isolated issue for the Sooners, it could have long-term consequences if the trend continues.
With two running backs now entering the transfer portal, the Oklahoma Sooners are left with a thinner backfield. This has placed even more pressure on the remaining members of the roster to step up and carry the load. While the Sooners have talent in their backfield, they now face a situation where depth could become a significant issue in the 2025 season.
- Gavin Sawchuk – The Sooners’ top returning running back, Sawchuk has shown promise in limited action but has yet to fully emerge as the program’s primary ball carrier. His speed and vision are key assets, but he will need to prove that he can handle a full workload as Oklahoma’s lead running back. With two key departures, Sawchuk is now poised to play a more significant role in the offense, with the expectation that he can be a featured piece of the ground game.
- Jovantae Barnes – Another promising talent, Barnes has shown flashes of brilliance and is expected to have an expanded role in the coming season. The Sooners will be relying on his power and physicality to help balance out the offense and take some pressure off the passing game. If Barnes can develop into a reliable contributor, he could become a key player in Oklahoma’s running back rotation moving forward.
- Incoming Freshmen and Transfers – Oklahoma has brought in several new faces through the recruiting class and transfer portal. One notable addition is Javontae Jean-Baptiste, who will add depth to the running back group. However, it remains to be seen whether any of the newcomers will be able to make an immediate impact, especially as the program looks to rebuild its depth at the position.
The uncertainty around the depth at running back, coupled with the loss of experienced players, creates a unique challenge for Oklahoma’s coaching staff. Venables and offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby will need to get creative in their offensive schemes to make up for the departures and develop a sustainable running game.
The loss of a second running back to the transfer portal comes at a particularly difficult time for the Sooners. With high hopes for the 2025 season, the team is looking to bounce back after an underwhelming performance in the previous campaign. The Sooners will need to find consistency at the running back position to stay competitive in the Big 12, especially as other programs, including Texas and Kansas State, have built formidable offenses in recent years.
The running game has been a crucial component of Oklahoma’s success over the years. In 2025, however, the Sooners may find it difficult to match the production they’ve come to expect. While quarterback Dillon Gabriel has shown himself to be a capable passer, Oklahoma needs a balanced offense to succeed in a conference that values both the run and the pass. The lack of depth at running back could make it challenging to sustain drives and maintain control of the clock, ultimately putting more pressure on the defense to perform at a high level.
The transfer portal losses could also have ripple effects on Oklahoma’s recruiting efforts. Top running back recruits may look elsewhere if they perceive the Sooners’ depth at the position as unstable. Oklahoma has consistently recruited well, but the loss of multiple players at such a vital position could raise concerns among future recruits about the program’s ability to develop players and manage the roster effectively.
If the Sooners are unable to find immediate answers in the backfield, they may need to adapt their offensive approach. This could mean leaning more heavily on Gabriel’s arm, implementing a more pass-heavy offense, or perhaps finding creative ways to utilize the skillsets of their remaining running backs in passing situations. This shift would not be ideal, as it goes against the traditional identity of Oklahoma football, but it may become necessary in the face of roster challenges.
The loss of yet another running back to the transfer portal is a stark reminder that Oklahoma is at a crossroads. With a thin running back room, an offense still finding its footing under Venables, and a crucial season ahead, the Sooners must act quickly to address their roster issues. There is still plenty of time for the coaching staff to make adjustments and bring in new talent, but the departure of key players raises important questions about the program’s trajectory.
For fans of Oklahoma football, the 2025 season is shaping up to be a pivotal one. The Sooners are at a critical juncture in their pursuit of excellence, and the decisions made over the next few months will likely shape the direction of the program for years to come. Whether they can overcome the challenges of a depleted running back room, continue to develop their talent, and return to their rightful place among the nation’s elite will depend on the collective ability of the team and coaching staff to adapt and overcome adversity.
In a world where the transfer portal reigns supreme, programs like Oklahoma must learn to navigate its complexities and ensure that they are able to retain the talent that will lead them to success. The coming months will be crucial as the Sooners look to turn the page on a challenging chapter and find the right formula for success in 2025 and beyond.
