Crimson countdown: No. 0 Kalib Hicks
Crimson Countdown: No. 98 Hayden Bray
By Bob Przybylo
SoonerScoop Staff Writer
The Crimson Countdown is officially on for the 2023 Oklahoma football season. It’s the second season under head coach Brent Venables and expectations are high once again. The Sooners are looking to rebound from the uncharacteristic 6-7 season in 2022.
Every day as we get closer to kickoff, SoonerScoop.com will count down the days with you. Starting with No. 99 and working our way to No. 0, we’ll be there every step of the way.
Crimson Countdown: No. 0 Kalib Hicks
2022 stats: N/A.
2023 outlook:
No. 0 is here. We made it. The final one, freshman running back Kalib Hicks. Early reports were strong about Hicks throughout the spring and summer.
It has, admittedly, died down a bit during preseason camp and entering game week. However, he has been out there working and looks like he’s been healthy through this process.
Running back is always a spot where you know you have to be ready. The grind and wear and tear adds up quickly. OU has a lot of quality backs, no question, but Hicks can add to it.
Nobody is expecting Hicks to be the No. 1 or No. 2 option here. But how he responds to spot-duty action in September might teach us about how or if he’ll be used later down the road.
2023 running back outlook
Oklahoma will look to replace last season’s leading rusher Eric Gray, who is now a New York Giant. OU has several options with sophomore Jovantae Barnes and redshirt freshman Gavin Sawchuk as the frontrunners to start. Barnes was Oklahoma’s backup last season, but after suffering a foot injury in spring practice, the door has opened for Sawchuk. Oklahoma also welcomes a pair of true freshmen in Daylan Smothers and Kalib Hicks. And don’t count out redshirt senior Marcus Major, who returns for his fifth season in Norman.
