Part 7 of a sequence exploring Oklahoma’s potential breakout gamers in 2022:
Bentavious Thompson simply needed another shot.
Oklahoma has given it to him.
The Sooners made an especially under-the-radar transfer within the switch portal this summer time when they brought in the former UCF Knight to add to their running back room.
There was no large announcement, no large breaking news report, only a quiet addition of Thompson that reunited him along with his former quarterback Dillon Gabriel and former offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby.
“Everyone just needs a believer, you know?,” Gabriel mentioned at Big 12 Media Days. “I’m the biggest believer in Beno. I think the coaching staff obviously was (too), bringing him in.”
The transfer to Norman comes after a yr away from soccer for the Miami native with a soccer profession that, for many gamers, doubtless would have been over – however Thompson wasn’t completed.
Read More Oklahoma Breakout Players:
With school eligibility nonetheless remaining, Thompson involves Oklahoma seeking to carve out a task for himself that’s, frankly, up for grabs.
The Sooners convey again Eric Gray to be the clear No. 1 working again choice. But, after that, it’s large open in DeMarco Murray’s place room.
Marcus Major missed the overwhelming majority of 2021, Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk are true freshmen (albeit highly-talented ones), Tawee Walker can be taking part in his first yr of main school soccer arising from the junior school ranks and Jaden Knowles and Todd Hudson each are walk-ons but to play a significant on-field function of their careers.
Who is to say that Thompson couldn’t change into a key piece in OU’s offense?
The pure response of many when seeing that Thompson was a former Knight with Gabriel and Lebby is to assume that they merely did an previous pal a favor by giving him one other probability to be part of a significant school soccer crew and hold his profession alive.
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But then you definately check out his manufacturing in Orlando and rapidly notice one thing: Beno Thompson can play.
“For the most part, I just think he’s (Thompson) a downhill runner,” Gabriel mentioned. “Love to run the ball and he’s really good at it.”
In 189 profession carries throughout the 2018-2020 seasons, Thompson ran for 1,136 yards and 13 touchdowns. That’s a mean of simply over six yards per carry.
Bentavious Thompson
Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
For a degree of reference, Kennedy Brooks led Oklahoma a yr in the past with 1,253 yards on 198 speeding makes an attempt – a fee of 6.3 yards per carry.
These numbers are constructive for the Sooners each by way of Thompson’s clear skill to get yardage – but additionally the truth that regardless of being a veteran participant, the mileage is comparatively minimal.
After not taking part in in any respect in 2021, the expectation ought to actually be that the legs are recent and able to go when known as upon in reduction of Gray.
Add all of this stuff into the combination – Thompson’s skill, motivation degree, freshness and familiarity with Gabriel and Lebby – together with the truth that the working again room is essentially large open after Gray, and it feels just like the stage could possibly be set for Thompson to be one of many greatest shock contributors on the whole roster in 2022.
While it is exhausting to know precisely what he’ll give the Sooners in 2022, one factor that’s for positive is that he’ll do every thing he can to benefit from this golden alternative.
“Dude just wants to win,” Gabriel mentioned. “So I’m excited and proud of him. I’ve known him for a while and love that guy to death for sure.”
Thompson will get the possibility to make his Oklahoma debut in simply over 5 weeks on Saturday, Sept. 3 towards UTEP at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman.
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