Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and head coach Brent Venables are pushed for OU to dominate in the run game.
The Sooners are looking to develop their run game after they ranked No. 104 in dashing yards per game in 2025. They return sophomore offensive linemen, Michael Fasusi and Ryan Fodje, to assist them work for enchancment after they every made at the least six begins in 11 and 13 video games, respectively, final season.
“The first assessments that I made (were) just (ensuring) ultimate buy-in from coaches and players,” Arbuckle mentioned. “It’s been really, really fun watching these offensive linemen that we all here knew as young guys last year really grow into that role of, ‘Okay, I have 13 games I’ve played in this league. I’ve played big-time college (football; it) Isn’t new to me anymore. And they’re able to go out, and they’re able to attack it. … But all of that is no substitute for the mentality that you have to have handing the ball off and running, and then coach Venables said it best. It’s a kick-ass mentality, and we have to have that every single time.”
Venables spoke on Thursday in regards to the Sooners’ want to have a “kick-ass” mentality — and never merely longing to be higher however actively working towards it. The coach communicated that, whereas it’s vital that gamers like Fasusi and Fodje are older, it begins with their psychological method.
The Sooners additionally employed Deland McCullough, who coached in the NFL for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025, to be the brand new working backs coach. He helped former Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty document 975 dashing yards and 5 touchdowns on the bottom throughout his rookie season. McCullough was Notre Dame‘s working backs coach in 2022-24.
“Hope is not a good strategy,” Venables mentioned. “Just bringing in new coaches isn’t the only thing; just being a year older isn’t the only thing. It’s the fundamentals; it’s the scheme. To me, it all starts with attitude and mindset. You got to have a kick-ass mindset if you want to kick ass, and so it starts with that — being aggressive, not letting football get in the way. We’ve got good, strong, athletic dudes that got power and that can bend and that are physical.”
OU additionally introduced in junior working again Lloyd Avant from Colorado State, who recorded 417 dashing yards and 5 touchdowns on the bottom in 2025. He additionally completed with 261 receiving yards and one landing in the air final season.
Avant obtained the vast majority of the working again reps throughout Monday’s apply with freshman Tory Blaylock and junior Xavier Robinson out. Blaylock and Robinson recorded a mixed 901 dashing yards in 2025, with 480 and 421, respectively.
Sooners’ new working again Lloyd Avant obtained the vast majority of reps in apply Monday with Tory Blaylock out.
According to Arbuckle, Avant’s expertise has helped him rapidly slot into a much bigger position in spring apply.
“Lloyd’s played a lot of ball; Lloyd’s a savvy vet,” Arbuckle mentioned. “He’s been around the block. I’ve been impressed with him just being able to come in, and nothing really seems too big for him. At this point in his career, he’s played so much football; everything we do, he’s probably already done. It’s just translating stuff in his head.”
Between Arbuckle and Venables’ mentalities, offensive line development and modifications in the working again room, all of it aligns with the Sooners’ mission to maximize their alternatives to enhance.
“I’m constantly trying to find ways to do things better, and if what I think we’re doing is the best, ‘Okay, well, how can we make it better?’” Arbuckle mentioned. “I’m constantly, whether it’s up front with the offensive line and different run schemes or with the receivers, … trying to find different ways to get better.”