Oklahoma RB Gavin Sawchuk ‘Prepared’ For Bigger Role in Cheez-It Bowl

Bowl season gives loads of alternatives for brand new faces to complete their season on a excessive.

Final 12 months, Oklahoma receiver Jalil Farooq parlayed a 3 reception, 64-yard efficiency within the Alamo Bowl right into a breakout season this 12 months for the Sooners.

True freshman operating again Gavin Sawchuk hopes to search out comparable success subsequent week in Orlando towards Florida State within the Cheez-It Bowl.

After becoming a member of the workforce final summer season, Sawchuk was low within the pecking order of DeMarco Murray’s backfield.

Eric Grey’s glorious season resulted in him getting a heavy load of touches this 12 months, and the emergence of fellow freshman Jovantae Barnes noticed Sawchuk take the redshirt path in 2022.

However with Grey headed to the NFL Draft, there will probably be extra carries to go round in Orlando, and Sawchuk is poised to take benefit.

Sawchuk carried the ball twice for 5 yards within the common season this 12 months, however he’s excited to make an affect for the Sooners within the remaining recreation of the 12 months.

“At any time when I get my alternative, I need to do my finest and I need to be prepared for the chance,” Sawchuk stated after follow final Monday. “So I’m excited for the chance, the prospect that I’ve with this bowl recreation.”

At the highschool degree, Sawchuk was a monitor star and a speedster on the soccer area.

That explosiveness has translated to the follow area in Norman, as teammate Marvin Mims stated he hopes to see Sawchuk get an opportunity to point out off his athleticism within the open area towards Florida State.

“Gavin Sawchuk could also be one of many quickest guys on the workforce,” stated Mims, “with him operating in a straight line and likewise him along with his development all through the season, simply being a operating again and having the ability to know when to make use of that pace and go full pace and when to be decisive and decelerate slightly bit.”

Although he hasn’t gotten many reps on the sector, Sawchuk stated he’s nonetheless attacked day-after-day and discovered a lot this season.

From working with Murray to watching and paying attention to how Grey handles all the pieces from watching movie to how he practices, Sawchuk nonetheless feels that 2022 was a 12 months of development for him.

“They’ve been nice with teaching and educating me up, introducing me to school life,” Sawchuk stated. “I’ve been actually enthusiastic about having these folks in my life to teach me, train me new issues. I’m loving this system. It’s been nice.”

Off the sector, Sawchuk has performed a job within the operating again room as a great teammate.

Barnes particularly has loved enjoying alongside Sawchuk, as he stated Sawchuk has introduced an ideal perspective to follow.

“The entire season Gavin has been nice and at all times having a smile on his face,” Barnes stated. “He’s been assured, even through the lows. At all times maintaining us up. That’s why I at all times love going to Gavin. Something I do incorrect, he makes certain I maintain my head up.

“The entire 12 months, Gavin by no means had a frown on his face. He was by no means down on himself. He was at all times up and able to go to follow day-after-day and compete. He did that. Now he will get an ideal alternative to point out his skills that I do know he has.”

With a bigger position on deck within the bowl recreation, Sawchuk stated he hasn’t needed to change his preparation in any respect as he’s tried to have the best mindset since arriving in Norman.

“I’ve ready like I had alternative for each (recreation.) You by no means know what occurs within the recreation of soccer,” he stated. “The minute that you simply’re not ready, that’s when your will get referred to as and you then’re not prepared. I used to be ready. I used to be prepared. However I’m excited for the chance I’ve and I can’t look forward to it.

“… I’m simply excited to play. It’s going to be an ideal atmosphere. I do know Florida State’s a great workforce, so I’m excited to play them and see what we will do.”

Wish to be a part of the dialogue? Click on right here to develop into a member of the AllSooners message board group as we speak!

Join on your premium membership to AllSooners.com as we speak, and get entry to all the Fan Nation premium community!

Follow AllSooners on Twitter to remain updated on all the most recent OU information.

Get your OU tickets from SI Tickets HERE.