In Oklahoma's Crowded Running Back Room, Patience Paying Off For Marcus Major
NORMAN -- Five seasons later, Oklahoma running back Marcus Major is willing to contribute any way he can, even if it's as a cheerleader.
In Saturday's 28-11 win over SMU -- Major's first start since 2020 -- the redshirt senior from Oklahoma City rushed for 39 yards and caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dillon Gabriel to put the game away.
“Yeah, I always had catching in me, but I always try to work on that everyday and try to get on the jugs (machine)," he said Tuesday after practice. "So I mean, I’m just happy I can be used both ways, you know running and throwing.”
In a Week One thrashing of Arkansas State, Major rushed for 32 yards and a touchdown.
Hardly earth-shattering numbers, but contributions nonetheless.
“Yeah, it’s just a lot of just focusing and taking it day by day and just know that I’m on my fifth year and they expect bigger things from me," he said. "Just being that leader and things like that, just taking it day by day.”
In neither game was Major the team's featured back. Still, he is the Sooners' second-leading rusher with 71 yards on 17 carries. Only junior Tawee Walker, who gained a career-high 117 yards against SMU, has more carries (29) and yards (161).
"Tawee, he earned those reps that he got and he made everything from the opportunity that he had," Major said. "And it was just good things seeing him do what he do; but it was all good.”
Oklahoma's running back room is not only talented it's competitive and players cheer each other's successes. Barnes was among the first to congratulate Major after Major scored against SMU.
“We just always show each other love," Major said. "It’s all love in that room and we’re all competitors. We make each other better everyday even through fall camp so you know just supporting each other when we’re on the field and just having each other’s back.”
Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby said this week he plans to give Jovantae Barnes, a sophomore, and redshirt freshman Gavin Sawchuk more carries Saturday against Tulsa.
Lebby hopes the move will spark more big plays from the running game.
"We have to continue to win one-on-ones to get guys in rhythm and to bring along 2 (Barnes) and 27 (Sawchuk) this week while continuing to let Tawee and let Marcus be a big part of it," Lebby said Monday. "I do love the fact that we have a stable. We have four guys who we trust and that we can count on. We do want more explosive plays in the run game, for sure."
Barnes, who gained 53 yards in Oklahoma's season-opener, carried twice for five yards last Saturday.
"Yeah I mean Marcus and Tawee been doing a great job," he said Tuesday night. "They’ve been doing a great job since spring and they’re showing it right now.
"So I’m just waiting on my opportunity, my name to be called. As soon as my name is called I just do my job to make sure I’m taking care of what I got to do and whatever to do to help the team."
While Walker had the most production Saturday, Lebby wouldn't say if he was the team's best tailback.
"I do like the fact that we have four guys," he said. "We got four guys who are incredibly capable. We have four guys who have incredible trust with the entire staff and I think can play at any given time. The stress, I think, is being able to get 2 and 27 going as they’ve work themselves into being in a really good position."
Major, meanwhile, looks forward to playing in Tulsa for the first time Saturday.
“No doubt," he said. "I actually always wanted to play at Tulsa, I never got to in high school. But it should be a good experience for me."
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