Following a season marked by inconsistency in the run game, OU coaches and players have made establishing the ground attack a clear priority heading into the 2026 season. Saturday’s spring game offered fans a glimpse of what could come this fall.
With sophomore running backs Tory Blaylock and junior Xavier Robinson sidelined this spring due to injuries, new faces carried the load, including junior Colorado State transfer running back Lloyd Avant, along with freshmen running backs DeZephen Walker and Jonathan Hatton Jr.
Head coach Brent Venables said he was pleased with the position group's performance in spring camp.
“(I’m) really proud of that group,” Venables said. “Today was just a very small sample size, but those are guys that are hungry. They're smart, they're tough. They show up every day.”
All three of the newcomers found the end zone in the spring game, with Walker leading the group with 81 yards, followed by Avant with 69 and Hatton Jr. adding 26 of his own.
Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle praised the running backs for their physicality.
“They ran violent,” Arbuckle said. “They ran hard downhill. They were able to break some trash arm tackles. … I think that's huge.”
Walker credited the defense with bolstering the young running backs' physicality.
“Every single day is a challenge because we’re going against top athletes,” Walker said. “Every day, you have to be physically and mentally locked in.”
The group will look to bounce back after a 2025 season where production was limited, finishing No. 104 in the nation. Blaylock led the Sooners in rushing with 480 yards and four touchdowns, followed by redshirt senior quarterback John Mateer, who added 431 yards and eight scores.
Mateer acknowledged after the game that having an efficient run game is also key to opening up the field as a passer.
“You need to be able to run the ball,” Mateer said. “Whenever you're able to run the ball, you can throw the ball more effectively, so they work hand in hand.”
With Blaylock and Robinson both expected to return in the fall, Avant, Walker and Hatton will look to settle into their respective roles as the Sooners aim to bolster the run game.
This story was edited by Joshua McDaniel.
