Taylor Tatum, the No.1 overall running back in the 2024 recruitment class and now beginning his college career at The University of Oklahoma. According to Tom Green, he’s already showing how he earned that title and ranking, Tatum is in good hands having veteran running backs to learn from and a coach that is a household name to anyone who has watched football in the last 20 years in former Sooner and NFL running back, DeMarco Murray.
Oklahoma freshman Taylor Tatum, the top running back in the 2024 class, has looked the part already in fall camp.
He’s not deterred by the fact he wasn’t around this spring, and the #Sooners don’t foresee that limiting his potential role this year. https://t.co/PjBYiljEel pic.twitter.com/j42d9vHPm1
— Tom Green (@Tomas_Verde) August 6, 2024
Tatum, a consensus 4-star recruit out of Longview, TX is posted as being 5-11 and 205lbs per OU’s official website roster. Last year at Longview Tatum assisted his team by rushing for 1,463 yards, catching six passes for 138 yards, and throwing one touchdown pass (totaling 23 touchdowns) before committing to the Sooenrs in February of 2024.
Despite not enrolling early in the spring to attend spring practice, Tatum was praised by Head Coach Brent Venables labeling him as “fearless, confident, and a physical presence” and went on to talk about how he has been handling the coaching well and that they are prepping him to contribute this fall. Watch Coach Venables’ full press conference below:
There is no limit to what Tatum can do for this sooner squad as a freshman, being behind veteran players such as Gavin Sawchuck, who is on the Doak Walker Watch List, and Javonte Barnes, a talented and sizable running back who has dealt with staying healthy the past two seasons, will not be an issue for Tatum who I believe will become a versatile asset as the season progresses.
Gavin Sawchuk » Doak Walker Award Watch List
🏆 https://t.co/NSVRqvHGSQ | #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/p2A3JipOzu
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) August 6, 2024
The time is finally upon us, college football is only eighteen days away with Florida State starting the season against Georgia Tech, the Sooners take to the field for the season opener at 6 pm (CT) on Friday, August 30th against Temple. The Sooners look to put on a show with new coordinators Seth Latrell (offense) and Zac Alley (defense) and start their 2024 campaign 1-0 heading into the Southeastern Conference.
