True freshman offensive playmaker provides crucial spark for Oklahoma Sooners in season opening win

Tory Blaylock Deserves His Flowers

True freshman Tory Blaylock, who I highlighted earlier this week as a potential breakout star for the Sooners, made an emphatic statement in his first game of action. With Jaydn Ott, Xavier Robinson, and Taylor Tatum slowly working back from injury, the opportunity for Blaylock opened right up, and he took it and quite literally ran with it.

Immediately, Blaylock provided a totally different spark. Where Barnes was losing yards, Blaylock was gaining them, breaking tackles and getting upfield with ease, showing his elite speed that made him a track state champion in high school.

The numbers showed an immediate difference. Barnes had seven rushes for nine yards. Blaylock? 8 for 44. If he didn't suffer a shoulder stinger in the third quarter, Blaylock likely would have had more.

I think the staff noticed just how different the offense moved with Blaylock in over Barnes. Blaylock started the third quarter at running back, and when the offense rotated, Xavier Robinson came in instead of Barnes. Barnes only re-entered the game after the staff pulled Blaylock out of caution.

This coaching staff shouldn't be surprised with Blaylock's performance. A few weeks ago, Brent Venables had this to say about Blaylock: “His physical maturity, his explosiveness, his durability. He’s taken a lot of snaps…Tory Blaylock has been as impressive as a freshman as I’ve been around. We’ll see what the season brings, but he’s been fantastic.”

While Ott is still working back, it's become abundantly clear who should be the main focus of the rotation until Ott is 100%. It's true freshman Tory Blaylock, who earned his stripes and might have emerged as the Sooners' biggest breakout player of their 2025 season-opener.