Eric Gray gives Oklahoma valuable versatility out of the backfield

The Oklahoma Sooners are about to get a major boost to their offense. Last season, star running back Kennedy Brooks opted out. Now, Brooks returns alongside Tennessee transfer running back Eric Gray. The two could combine to give the Sooners one of the most versatile and dominant tailback duos in the nation.

Gray and Brooks could help Oklahoma have the nation’s best offense

Spencer Rattler is already a well-known commodity as Oklahoma’s star starting quarterback. After a slow start, Rattler had a strong end to last season. Now, he is joined on the offense by Brooks and Gray. Brooks is a two-time 1,000 yard rusher. Gray joins Oklahoma’s program after two seasons at Tennessee. Last season, Gray ran for 772 yards, four touchdowns and had 254 yards and two touchdowns receiving.

Gray’s addition could become one of the most impactful ones across the nation, according to Bruce Feldman.

“Good luck to everybody that’s now dealing with Lincoln Riley’s running back room,” Feldman said on Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff. “They got Kennedy Brooks back, he opted out last year. Really good running back. And now you get Eric Gray. The old Tennessee coaches really liked him. They thought he had elite short-area quickness, really good hands, and just picks things up very quickly. I think he’s going to be an excellent compliment to Kennedy brooks in terms of what he brings to that offense.

“The Oklahoma coaches I talked to this spring thought he really hit the ground running and really picked it up. He’s one of three transfers that Oklahoma took from the Vols. This one I think will be the biggest impact guy right away, just because of his maturity and how he is kind of able to grasp concepts and his experience. I think this is a great addition for Lincoln Riley.”

Oklahoma returns a highly productive offense

Last season, Oklahoma was ninth in the nation scoring 41.8 points per game. The Sooners averaged 475 yards per game. Oklahoma’s rushing offense averaged 179 yards per game, down from the 240 yards they averaged on the ground when Brooks was playing in 2019.

Adding Gray to a backfield with an established rusher in Brooks is going to be tough for opposing defenses to gameplan for. Gray’s 772 yards last season led Tennessee, and he finished second on the team with 30 receptions. In his career, Gray has totaled 1,311 all-purpose yards with 11 total touchdowns.

Rattler is expected to be a Heisman contender at quarterback. Gray and Brooks make up a very intriguing running back room. Gray’s addition could become one of the most impactful ones across the college football landscape.