Beat: McGowan ‘has flashed in camp’

Giddens was supposed to provide some relief to Jonathan Taylor last year, but “that plan was mostly shelved” as the Colts apparently didn’t love what they saw. Giddens and sixth-rounder Seth McGowan figure to battle for the main backup job behind Taylor, but neither is a priority backup to target late in drafts as they’d likely form a committee.

With Tyler Goodson gone, Giddens is the incumbent and has the higher draft capital, so we’re surprised to see a beat writer giving some leeway to the idea that McGowan could be the backup right away. Neither player figures to play much without a Jonathan Taylor injury, but they could be interesting contingency holds in deeper leagues.

McGowan was a four-star recruit coming out of high school. He saw work as a backup for Oklahoma in 2020. After his freshman season, McGowan was arrested on charges of robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He eventually pleaded guilty to a felony charge of larceny of a person at nighttime. McGowan was kicked off the team and ultimately spent three months in jail, followed by a year-long probation. He returned to football at the JUCO level for two seasons before landing on New Mexico State’s roster in 2024, where he ran for 823 yards and three scores. McGowan then transferred to Kentucky and posted a 165-725-12 rushing line. He punctuated his draft profile with a 4.49 40 and strong burst measurables at 6’/223. McGowan is a decisive runner who shows great anticipation when choosing his lanes. On the other hand, he is an average receiver who needs to improve in pass-pro, even if a third-round role isn’t in his future. Fumbles were also an issue, as he coughed the ball up six times across his three seasons of limited FBS action. McGowan ultimately looks like a developmental backup for an NFL team.

An arrest warrant for Henderson (6'2/223) was issued after Norman (OK) Police identified him as the third person involved in an armed robbery that took place in April. With the other two individuals, RB Seth McGowan and WR Trejan Bridges, having already been dismissed from the program, it came as no surprise that the Sooners cut ties with Henderson as well. Henderson’s warrant is on charges of conjoint robbery, conspiracy, and assault for a dangerous weapon.

McGowan (5'11/211) and WR Trejan Bridges were both confirmed to have been scrubbed from the roster by HC Lincoln Riley. Riley, predictably, did not offer any real details on these departures. Both players were suspended indefinitely in mid-April due to their alleged roles in a robbery. McGowan entered the transfer portal at the end of the month, prior to his being scrubbed from the roster outright. The former four-star recruit rushed for 370 yards (6.4 YPC) and a trio of touchdowns during the fall campaign. If he can get out from under his off-field issues, he’s still young and has real appeal as a transfer target.

McGowan (5'11/211) inked his NLI with the Sooners as a four-star recruit in the 2020 class and showed much promise as a true freshman this past fall, rushing for 370 yards (6.4 YPC) and three touchdowns while logging a 13-201-1 receiving line. Under ideal circumstances, McGowan would figure to stick around in Norman, but he was suspended earlier this month due to his alleged role in a robbery. Trying for a fresh start, now, it would appear, though McGowan’s off-field indiscretions aren’t just going to go away. Your baggage enters the transfer portal with you.

McGowan (5'11/211) suffered the concussion during the Sooners’ October 3 loss at Iowa State, with the freshman missing out on the Red River Showdown the following weekend as a result. McGowan appears ready to make his return to action Saturday in Fort Worth, giving Oklahoma a welcome boost at the running back position with regards to both depth and talent. T.J. Pledger remains first choice in the backfield, but McGowan won’t lack for opportunities to contribute.

McGowan (5'11/211) was placed in concussion protocol following last weekend’s loss at Iowa State, and he was unable to recover in time for the Red River Showdown. The freshman’s absence puts even more responsibility on the shoulders of T.J. Pledger in the run game, as the Sooners are still without the suspended Rhamondre Stevenson.

McGowan (5'11/211) notched a five-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter to put Oklahoma up 35-14 on the scoreboard. That lead would slowly dwindle and ultimately evaporate altogether by the time the contest was over and done with. The true freshman averaged 5.6 YPC with a long run of 14 yards on the afternoon. He and T.J. Pledger both received 13 carries in the game and figure to continue to split carries unless one or the other truly takes the lead role by the horns. Oklahoma will play Iowa State next weekend as they look to shake off the rust from Saturday’s disappointing show.

Not just one, but two true freshman skill players on the Sooners had a night. McGowan’s solid work on the ground was reason enough to be excited, but his lone reception is what really sealed the deal. On a simple screen pass, McGowan (5'11/211) scooted for about 40 yards on his way to the end zone, making him the only player in this game to score two different kinds of touchdowns. McGowan came to campus this year as a four-star recruit in Oklahoma’s 2020 signing class and the talent shows. Oklahoma will take on Kansas State next on Sept. 26.