Brent Venables updates status of Gavin Sawchuk, Wanya Morris

Chandler Vesselsby:Chandler Vessels•09/06/22•

ChandlerVessels

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables provided a positive update to the statuses of offensive lineman Wanya Morris and true freshman running back Gavin Sawchuk on Tuesday. Although neither Morris nor Sawchuk played in Saturday’s season opener, the coach said there isn’t much to be concerned about.

“Sawchuk was available, he just didn’t suit up,” Venables said. “He’s fine. Everything’s great with him. Wanya, we’re still trying to work through on off-field issue. Expect him back sooner rather than later.”

Morris transferred to Norman from Tennessee this past season and played six games as a backup left tackle. He was named starting right tackle this year when the Sooners released their Week 1 depth chart.

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Anton Harrison instead received the start at right tackle in Morris’ absence. However, based on the nature of the issue, Venables said he anticipates Morris taking over that spot as soon as it is resolved.

“I expect him to get right back in there based on what the issue is,” Venables said. “He’s been practicing every day, so he’ll jump right back in there like riding a bike. I think you treat each individual case like it needs to be treated.”

Sawchuk is a four-star recruit who ranked as the No. 10 running back and No. 143 overall player in the 2022 class according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. He enters his first college season behind Eric Gray, Marcus Major, Tawee Walker and Jovantae Barnes on the depth chart.

Gray led that group with 102 yards on 16 carries against UTEP on Saturday, while Major added 54 yards and two touchdowns on seven totes. Given his youth and the fact that there are so many players ahead of him, it seems unlikely that Sawchuk will see any significant time this season.

Oklahoma will hope for a positive update on the Wanya Morris situation in the next few days as it prepares to kick off against Kent State at 6 p.m. CT on Saturday in Norman.