Oklahoma RB Enters Transfer Portal After Solid Season
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Oklahoma running back Tawee Walker announced on Thursday afternoon that he will enter the transfer portal.
Walker transferred to OU from Palomar College in San Marcos, CA, prior to the 2022 season. After earning just 18 carries in his first season with the team, Walker racked up 496 and seven touchdowns on the ground in 2023, averaging 5.2 yards per carry as a junior.
Hailing from Las Vegas, Walker joined the team as a walk-on and was never placed on scholarship. Additionally, the 5-foot-9, 215-pound tailback was passed on the depth chart by Gavin Sawchuk after being the Sooners' most productive back early in the season.
Walker sat out for the Sooners’ matchup against UCF due to what head coach Brent Venables described as an "in-house suspension.”
The former juco standout topped 100 yards twice this season, notching 117 yards on 21 carries against SMU in Week 2 and tallying a. career-high 146 rushing yards and a touchdown in OU's loss to Kansas.
Walker also scored two touchdowns in the Red River Rivalry to help the Sooners take down the Texas Longhorns.
Despite being a walk-on, Walker was DeMarco Murray's second-leading rusher in 2023, out-gaining Marcus Major, who was third, by 188 yards.
With Walker and Major's careers in Norman both likely coming to an end, Oklahoma could need to lean heavily on Sawchuk and fellow sophomore Jovantae Barnes, freshmen Daylan Smothers and Kalib Hicks and a group of talented newcomers next season, including freshmen Taylor Tatum and Xavier Robinson.
It’s also possible more players could leave via the portal in the coming weeks.
Walker is Oklahoma's third offensive player to enter the portal since Nov. 25, joining DJ Graham and Jason Llewellyn.
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