Oklahoma Sooners Football Recruiting: Tennessee RB transfer Eric Gray commits to Oklahoma

While the Oklahoma Sooners’ talent at the running back position certainly wasn’t an issue during the offseason, depth was another matter. Fortunately, OU has found an answer in the form of Tennessee transfer Eric Gray. Making the development even sweeter is the fact that the Memphis native has picked the Sooners over the Red River rival Texas Longhorns.

Gray is the third Tennessee player to choose Norman in recent weeks, joining offensive tackle Wanya Morris and safety Key Lawrence.

Through two seasons in Knoxville, the 5’10, 205-pound Gray rushed for 1,311 yards, including 772 during his sophomore campaign. However, versatility is the name of the game for the former four-star prospect, as he also contributed 30 receptions for 254 yards this past season. He’s twitchy and incredibly effective in short bursts, and his ability to change direction is one of his biggest assets. While he’s not necessarily know for his straight-line speed, he’s not deficient in that department.

With Kennedy Brooks reentering the fold in 2021, it’s safe to expect the experienced and battle-tested back to be the primary bell cow. However, Gray surely won’t be lacking for snaps, as his versatility will allow him to be on the field with OU’s other backs — whether it be in the backfield or out wide. He’s also more than capable of holding down the position for multiple snaps at a time and doing damage between the tackles.

With a backfield of Brooks, Gray, Marcus Major and Seth McGowan, the Sooners now have a capable contributor for every situation and the depth to breathe easy.