Brent Venables addresses Tawee Walker's status with Oklahoma
When the transfer portal window opened, Oklahoma running back Tawee Walker entered. He hasn’t made a decision on a commitment yet, though, and has been practicing with the Sooners ahead of the Alamo Bowl.
When asked if a return could be in the cards, Brent Venables said Walker would absolutely be able to come back to the program if he chooses to do so.
“You’d have to ask him,” Venables said. “That’s not the case for everybody, but Tawee, he’s gonna look at some opportunities. If he doesn’t get what he wants, he’s more than welcome to be part of the team.”
Walker put up impressive numbers in 2023 for Oklahoma, taking 95 carries for 496 yards and seven touchdowns as a key piece of the Sooners’ running game. He officially entered the portal Dec. 4, but he’s been practicing with Oklahoma as he goes through the transfer process.
“First and foremost, I want to thank the whole coaching staff at the University of Oklahoma,” Walker said in his announcement. “I want to thank all the fans, and everyone who supported me through my journey. I have loved my time here, and will always love the University.
“With that being said, I will be entering my name in the 2024 NCAA Transfer Portal. I believe that is the best decision for me and my family. Once again thank you for everyone who was apart of this journey, and I have nothing but love for Oklahoma.”
How Oklahoma’s young running backs played into Tawee Walker’s decision to transfer
Walker is one of a few Oklahoma running backs to enter the portal, along with Marcus Major and Daylan Smothers. That’s because, according to Sooner Scoop’s George Stoia III, the Sooners have confidence in the young backs coming through the program — which is why there’s been so much movement.
“It’s also Gavin Sawchuk’s show moving forward,” Stoia said on Andy Staples On3. “That’s the reality. They ran him a lot more down the stretch and you also look at who they’re bringing in in their recruiting class, they’re bringing in the No. 1 running back in the country in Taylor Tatum, somebody that they believe can come in and help ’em day one.
“So that’s why you’re seeing guys like a Tawee Walker, a Marcus Major, even Daylan Smothers, a true freshman, three running backs go in the portal for Oklahoma. They feel really good about the young guys that they’re bringing in and also the guys that are returning in Gavin Sawchuk and Javontae Barnes, so I think that that’s part of it.”