Running back Tre Bradford leaves Oklahoma football program

One of Oklahoma’s most exciting offseason additions has already left the program per Jason Kersey and The Athletic. Former Lancaster and LSU running back Tre Bradford is no longer a member of the Sooners program.

Bradford’s departure leaves Oklahoma with just two scholarship running backs, Eric Gray and Kennedy Brooks, just one week out from the Sooners’ season opener against Tulane.

Bradford transferred to Oklahoma from LSU in June after just one season with the Tigers. According to Kersey, there has been speculation that Bradford could return to LSU. Kersey stated he’s been told “NCAA rules allow a player to transfer back to his original school with possible immediate eligibility — so long as the player hasn’t completed 14 practices with his new school.”

As a freshman at LSU, Tre Bradford appeared in five games, rushing ten times for 58 yards and had a touchdown reception. Coming out of Lancaster High School in Texas, Bradford was a four-star prospect. In three seasons at Lancaster, Bradford rushed for more than 3,000 yards.

In addition to Tre Bradford, this offseason, Oklahoma lost running backs TJ Pledger, Seth McGowan, Mikey Henderson and Marcus Major to a myriad of issues. McGowan and Henderson were dismissed from the program, Pledger transferred to Utah earlier this offseason. Just this week, the Sooners recieved word that Major would be ineligible for the 2021 season. Oklahoma also lost running back Rhamondre Stevenson to the NFL Draft.

Oklahoma head into the 2021 season with national championship aspirations. From Joe Mixon, to Trey Sermon to Rhamondre Stevenson, the Sooners have had success on the ground in Lincoln Riley’s offense. Entering 2021 with shaky running back depth could have an impact on the Sooners’ championship aspirations.

Examining Oklahoma’s running back depth

Bradford’s departure leaves Oklahoma with just two scholarship running backs in Eric Gray and Kennedy Brooks

Junior Eric Gray transferred in to Oklahoma this offseason from Tennessee. In two years with the Volunteers, Gray rushed for 1311 yards and 11 total touchdowns from scrimmage. Gray had a total of 1680 yards from scrimmage, averaging 5.6 yards per touch.

Redshirt senior Kennedy Brooks opted out of the 2020 season but had back to back 1000+ yard seasons as a redshirt freshman and sophomore. In his Oklahoma career, Brooks has 2067 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.

Oklahoma has walk-on running backs Todd Hudson and Jaden Knowles listed on the roster as additional depth. The Sooners could also turn to versatile players on the roster like freshman defensive back Billy Bowman or sophomore wide receiver Brian Darby.