Crimson countdown: No. 2 Jovantae Barnes
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. 2 Jovantae Barnes
2022 stats: 116 rushes for 519 yards, five touchdowns.
2023 outlook:
Coming off a great bowl game, Barnes might just be ready for that No. 1 running back role. His foot injury seems to be a thing of the past. He hasn’t been slowed up at all during camp.
It’s a nice trio of backs, but you wonder if Barnes can be good enough to separate himself? You can get by with a running back committee, but a workhorse is always nice.
Barnes never looked overwhelmed as a freshman, so you know 2023 shouldn’t be an issue for him there. He looks bigger, stronger and sounds more confident, which you would expect.
Don’t pencil in a 1,000-yard season for Barnes just yet, but it certainly feels like he has the capability to do that. He’s going to be vital to the offense’s success, no question.
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.
