DeMarco Murray updates progress of former Tennessee running back Eric Gray

The Oklahoma Sooners are getting ready to let former Tennessee Volunteers leading running back Eric Gray loose in 2022 under new leadership. Running backs coach DeMarco Murray believes the second-year Sooner will be good to go come September, despite learning a new playbook for the second year in a row. Murray even went so far as to say the running back may know new offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby’s system better than he does.

“He’s done a terrific job,” Murray said of Gray this week ahead of spring practice. “Even last year, he learned a new system and picked it up in a week or two. He may know the new system better than I do. He’s handling it the right way.”

On top of doing his own homework to learn the offense, Gray has led the entire running backs room this offseason.

“We’re being led by Eric Gray and Marcus Major and adding a young guy like Jovantae Barnes, who brings a different dimension to our room,” Murray said. “Gavin Sawchuk will be here later on. These guys have picked (the offense) up and are holding their own meetings being led by Eric Gray.”

Gray finished with 772 yards rushing and four touchdowns in the 2020 season for Tennessee, finishing 6th in the SEC that year. His production fell off in 2021, rushing behind the Sooners’ leading back Kennedy Brooks. Gray posted 412 yards and two scores on 78 carries.

Eric Gray was a consensus four-star prospect coming out of Lausanne Collegiate in Memphis, Tenn. He’s going into his fourth season of college football with a big opportunity. One more great year will put his name in the conversation as a top-round draft pick for 2023.

Sooners announce plans for spring game

The Brent Venables era at Oklahoma is set to kick off with spring football action in the coming weeks. Oklahoma shared in a tweet that the Sooners will hold the annual Spring Game on Saturday, April 23 in Oklahoma Memorial Stadium at 3:00 p.m. CT.

“The love and support from Sooner Nation since my family stepped off the plane in Norman has been absolutely phenomenal,” said Venables, who was hired Dec. 5 as Oklahoma’s 23rd head coach, replacing Lincoln Riley. “We were quickly reminded about how incredibly passionate our fan base is, and we truly appreciate that unbridled enthusiasm – it’s one of the many things that makes OU Football so special. I can’t wait to see that passion on display on April 23rd, and my challenge to the fans is to fill up the stadium. As we say all the time inside our walls, ‘Best is the standard.’ Let’s pack the Palace and make it a great day for everyone.”

The spring game, which will give fans a first look at the Venables era in Norman, may not even be the headline of the day.

The Sooners also announced on Monday that the program will honor former quarterback Baker Mayfield with the public dedication of his Heisman Trophy statue. Oklahoma said that it will unveil the Mayfield statue in Heisman Park immediately after the scrimmage.

On3’s Simon Gibbs contributed to this report.