Here's What Makes DeMarco Murray’s Collection of Running Backs Ideal at Oklahoma

In the middle of the grind of spring football practice, the Sooners have an almost perfect combination of fresh-legged youth and game experience.

NORMAN — Between the grind of winter workouts and the melting heat of summer workouts, spring football practice might seem like something of a break.

But it’s not. Particularly for the running backs. Spring scrimmages usually involve a lot of plays — coaches do so enjoy using spring to evaluate every little detail — and somebody has to get the football when the quarterbacks tossing it around.

At Oklahoma, DeMarco Murray has what could be considered an ideal blend of youthful exuberance and veteran experience.

“I always talk about the two most important phases that I feel, is winter workouts and summer workouts, having been through it and just seeing other guys get better,” Murray said this week.

For a high-level football player, there’s no substitute for endless, sweaty, smelly days of busting iron. Likewise, there’s no forge like a sand pit or stadium steps in the heat of July for layering toughness.

DeMarco Murray :: John E. Hoover / AllSooners

“That improvement from myself from those two periods – obviously, you’re going to get better in the season and spring and all that — but as far as just getting stronger, faster and more explosive … we’ve obviously got the best strength coach in the nation in coach (Jerry) Schmidt. He knows what he’s doing.”

But so much applied learning of the playbook happens in the spring, when getting handoffs, carrying the football, hitting blocking dummies and running through target pads, picking up blitzes, executing precise routes and practicing ball security takes up most of the team’s 15 practices.

“I’m excited to continue to, obviously, get out here and practice,” Murray said.

The talent in Murray’s running backs room is undeniable. But the mix he has of youth and experience is helpful.

“Obviously, it can always be more physical as a whole group,” he said, “but from the first looks of it after seven practices in, I think we’re battling and guys are competing at a high level. Guys are working.”

Marcus Major :: John E. Hoover / AllSooners

Marcus Major is the Sooners’ elder statesman of the group, with going on five years in Norman. But despite his years of service, Major doesn’t have to worry about getting overworked in spring ball. He has a grand total of 116 rushes and 11 receptions in his career. As the coaches might say, he has a lot of tread left on his tires. He can get a lot of reps this spring.

Another luxury is having two young running backs who do have some experience — albeit one season (or less).

Jovantae Barnes — who’s currently missing practice with a right foot injury (it’s likely nothing long-term) — carried the football 116 times as a true freshman, to go with five catches.

Jovantae Barnes :: John E. Hoover / AllSooners

And Gavin Sawchuk played in just two games as a true freshman last season, with a career-high 15 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown in the Cheez-It Bowl.

With no Barnes, Sawchuk is getting extra reps this spring, which will no doubt speed his development.

Gavin Sawchuk :: John E. Hoover / AllSooners

There are two true freshmen already enrolled who are getting a taste of the college football life this semester — and have absolutely looked the part in practice so far this spring.

Kalib Hicks had more than 3,000 yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior at Ryan High School in Denton, TX, and coach Brent Venables said he was the best player on the field every week. He has stood out in OU’s open practices so far.

Kalib Hicks :: John E. Hoover / AllSooners

“It’s just how fast and how explosive he is,” Murray said. “He obviously has a thick, lower body. Great kid. He’s young. We just have to get him fundamentally technical. That side of things, we have to get him squared away. He’s coming along very fast. The school that he came from, it’s a great coaching staff and they did a great job with him. At this level, you have to be physical between the tackles. But his speed is extremely exceptional and it’s going to be a great thing for us.”

And speaking of tread on the tires, Daylan Smothers missed his senior season entirely after a transfer snafu in North Carolina. Both Hicks and Smothers have seen rapid development this spring as well — and even more so with Barnes on the shelf.

Daylan Smothers :: John E. Hoover / AllSooners

“I’ve always told Daylan, just, ‘Hey, be patient. Whenever you have a year off of football, it’s gonna take time.’ For him, I told him that last year, I told him that six months ago, I told him that when he first got here. So I've been a guy that’s missed time in his career, but when you miss a full year, just instinctually, things don’t just come back as naturally, no matter what. The fact he is a mid-year, he’s gonna get a huge jump-start on that. So it won’t take him too much time, but he’s been really good since he’s been here.”

The room is crowded with talented walk-ons as well, which is invaluable as the spring reps start to pile up and fatigue sets in. Having bodies is one thing, but having speed, power, versatility and a little knowledge of the playbook is like having a million-dollar insurance policy.

Washington transfer Emeka Megwa and 2021 junior college transfer Tawee Walker are both thick, durable backs who can pick up carries and be additive pieces of the offense with their power and speed. (Walker, remember, was the leading rusher in Venables’ inaugural Red/White Game.) And true freshman Chapman McKown, from Norman, can bring versatility and elusiveness to the room.

Emeka Megwa :: John E. Hoover / AllSooners

“Just toughness,” Murray said. ”He’s extremely – he brings a light to the room. Always smiling. We coach hard and it doesn’t faze him. Really, really great kid on the field, academically. But for his size, he’s extremely tough. He’s competitive. He’s been a really, really highlight for the room. He’s done some exceptional things with his opportunity.”

The big thing, once Barnes gets back (he’ll probably be full speed for training camp), is the evolution and progress of two guys who looked spectacular as freshmen and are now being counted on in a leadership role.

“It’s the second year in the system, second year in the scheme,” Murray said. “Those guys aren’t having to think as much. I’m not calling them veterans yet, but they’ve worked extremely hard this offseason identifying the defense and understanding the scheme and understanding run blocking – again, just being difference makers in the receiving game. Kudos to those guys with their mindsets. They came in with the right mind and they’ve always worked since they’ve gotten here.

“It’s been great. They were in the same shoes as Kalib and Daylan and Chap a year ago. Now seeing them a year later — Gavin, in particular, he obviously put on some weight and has a totally different body. He looks fantastic. And then Barnes, the same thing. As well as Tawee. Tawee is doing a great job for us. He’s been extremely (good) in the run game for us. Overall, all of those guys from a year ago, as well as Marcus Major, they’ve improved verbally. They’re kind of quiet. But again they are stepping out of their comfort zones and being leaders, which is what we need.”