Oklahoma's got a lot going on right now.

The Sooners just made their move to the SEC official. They're competing for a top-10 recruiting class in 2024 and have already put together a preliminary top-5 class for 2025, and the ink has just dried on multiple contract extensions within their coaching staff.

One of those newly signed deals is accompanied by the signature of DeMarco Murray. Coach Murray is the current running backs coach at the University of Oklahoma. He also happens to be the school's all-time leader in all-purpose yards and touchdowns.

Coach Murray leads a group of Soonerbacks who provide significant depth to the offense. With new offensive coordinator Seth Littrell taking over the Sooners' playcalling this season, the running back corps at Oklahoma will provide some much-needed relief to his potentially potent air raid attack.

Here are the running backs Oklahoma has lined up to help them compete for an SEC title during their inaugural season in the nation's premiere conference. 

Gavin Sawchuk - 5'11'', 195-pounds (RS Soph)

Sawchuk is entering his third year with the Sooners and looking to keep his production trending positively. Last season, Sawchuk was featured as the Sooners' starting running back. He rushed the ball 120 times for 744 yards (6.2 avg.) and 9 touchdowns - including this 67-yarder against Oklahoma State in the Bedlam matchup:

The 2023 honorable mention All-Big 12 running back is the clear starter entering 2024. He is a versatile back who plays downhill in the zone, catches the ball well, and provides upper-level pass protection for a back, which is critical in an air raid scheme like Littrell's.

Jovantae Barnes - 6'0'', 207-pounds (Junior)

If Sawchuk is considered versatile, Barnes is considered physical. Barnes is a downhill punishing back, similar in skillset to a traditional SEC-type running back. During his two-year career in Norman, Barnes has rushed the ball 153 times for 659 yards (4.3 avg.) and 6 touchdowns. He was severely limited in 2023 due to an injury, which he reportedly recovered. Barnes is a bigger, more physical red zone option for the Sooners' air raid system. He's also a better pass protector and third-down situation-type back.

Taylor Tatum - 5'10.5'', 200-pounds (Freshman)

Tatum comes to the Sooners from Longview High School (Longview, TX), where he was widely considered to be the number one running back recruit in the nation's 2023 recruiting class. Tatum is one of those traditional Texas high school football running backs. He plays downhill physically and makes explosive cuts at the line of scrimmage. He's also a decent receiver out of the backfield; his primary strength is his physical running style and aggressive pass protection.

Tatum's career-high school stats are a testament to his versatility and all-around skills. In 26 games, he carried the ball 397 times, amassing an impressive 3,307 yards at an average of 8.3 per carry. His 53 rushing touchdowns underscore his ability as a ground game powerhouse. He averaged 127.2 yards per game and had 16 games of 100+ rushing yards. In addition to his ground game prowess, he also shone in the passing game, with 18 receptions for 298 yards (16.6 avg.) and 4 receiving scores.

Oklahoma's running back corps looks to provide some much-needed depth to the Sooners' offense. Most of Seth Littrell's air raid system will feature short/quick pass concepts to protect sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold and his inexperienced offensive line. The backs will play a pivotal role in the offense by 1) providing relief to the passing game, 2) protecting Arnold in pass protection, & 3) catching balls out of the backfield. If they can provide at least half of the production their position coach once did, the Sooners' offense will be fine.