JOVANTAE BARNES NEWS

Out for spring practice Barnes (ankle) is out for Oklahoma's spring practice, Jesse Crittenden of Rivals reports.

Impact While the reason for Barnes' spring absence has not been publicly disclosed by Crittenden, it is likely attributed to the ankle injury that relatively ended his 2024 season early. At the very least and though he is far from being out of the woods, he has the 2025 Sooners' summer and fall practices to be 100 percent before regular-season action appears.

MARCH 5 • ROTOWIRE

Sits out bowl game as expected Barnes (ankle) did not play in the Armed Forces Bowl versus Navy on Friday.

Impact Barnes was deemed doubtful for the bowl game leading up to the contest, and he could not give it a go, as expected. The junior will turn his sights toward spring practice for his next opportunity to return to the gridiron after turning in 122 carries for 577 yards and five touchdowns on the ground during the 2024 campaign.

DECEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not on depth chart Barnes (ankle) is not on the depth chart for next Friday's game versus Navy, Tom Green of 247Sports reports.

Impact Barnes, who has not played since Week 10 versus Maine, is not currently on the Sooners' depth chart, putting his status for the Armed Forces Bowl in question. He still has a chance to work his way back into the lineup, but his absence from the depth chart is not a good sign for him. If he's unable to go, Xavier Robinson would lead the Sooners' backfield.

DECEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Will play vs. LSU Barnes (ankle) is not on the injury report and will be available for Saturday's game against LSU.

Impact The star running back is not on the injury report and should handle his regular workload out of the backfield in this matchup against the Tigers. Barnes has logged 122 carries across nine games, totaling 577 rushing yards and five touchdowns while also tallying 17 catches for 123 yards and another score through the air.

NOVEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Probable in Week 14 Barnes (ankle) has been listed as probable ahead of Saturday's game against LSU.

Impact Barnes appears likely to make a return for the Sooners during Saturday's game against the Tigers. The 6-foot junior running back has logged 122 carries across nine games, totaling 577 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Barnes has also contributed in the receiving game, hauling in 17 receptions for 123 yards and one touchdown. Barnes will look to make an impact after missing the last two games with an ankle injury if he is ultimately able to suit up.

NOVEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

DNP for Alabama upset Barnes (ankle) did not play during Oklahoma's 24-3 win Saturday against Alabama.

Impact Barnes sat out Oklahoma's best win of 2024, an upset over the once playoff-bound Tide. As for him, his next opportunity to log regular-season action is at LSU on Nov. 30.

NOVEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

In uniform for warmups Barnes (ankle) is in uniform for the final stage of warmups and seems likely to play against Alabama on Saturday, Josh Callaway of 247Sports reports.

Impact Barnes' status for this matchup against the Crimson Tide remains uncertain, but there's no question he's trending in the right direction. The tailback has 577 rushing yards and five scores this fall, so his presence would provide a huge boost to the Sooners' rushing attack.

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Deemed a game-time call Barnes (ankle) will be a true game-time call for Oklahoma's tilt with Alabama.

Impact Barnes missed last week against Missouri, but still has a shot to return against the Crimson Tide. The tailback has 577 rushing yards and five scores this fall, but if he can't go, expect Taylor Tatum to assume the starting role in the Sooners' backfield.

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Oklahoma availability report: Friday update on Jovantae Barnes, Jalil Farooq ahead of Alabama game The Friday update to the SEC availability report is out ahead of Oklahoma's home finale against Alabama, with the latest info on running bac...

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • 247SPORTS.COM

Officially listed as questionable Barnes (ankle) is officially listed as questionable for Oklahoma's tilt with Alabama.

Impact Barnes was reported to be questionable earlier in the day, and the Wednesday night SEC injury report has confirmed that. The tailback missed last week against Missouri, and is in danger of making it two straight. If Barnes can't go, Taylor Tatum should assume the lead tailback role for the Sooners.

NOVEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Status up in air Barnes (ankle) is questionable for Oklahoma's game Saturday against Alabama, Colton Sulley of The Oklahoman reports.

Impact After not traveling to Missouri for Oklahoma's last game, Barnes will look to participate in what is expected to be the 2024 Sooners'last home game. While unlikely Thursday, especially with his latest update, the SEC's injury report will be updated Thursday to Saturday, and any during the span could see him cleared for Week 13.

NOVEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out against Missouri Barnes (ankle) will not appear in Saturday's game against Missouri, Josh Callaway of 247Sports reports.

Impact Barnes will miss his first game of the season after he didn't travel to Missouri ahead of Saturday's showdown with the Tigers. The junior running back has reportedly been dealing with an ankle injury suffered during last week's game against Maine. Barnes has logged 700 total yards and six touchdowns on 139 total touches this season, and the Sooners will look to replace his production with a mix of Taylor Tatum and Gavin Sawchuk (undisclosed) this weekend.

NOVEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable vs. Tigers Barnes (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Oklahoma's tilt with Missouri.

Impact Barnes hasn't missed a game this season and in fact logged 18 carries for 203 yards and three scores last week against Maine, so it's unclear what ailment the tailback is dealing with. Still, the Sooners' starting running back's status has now been thrown into question for their clash with Missouri.

NOVEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Dominant performance in win Barnes notched 18 rushes for 203 yards and three touchdowns and reeled in their only target for 19 yards during Saturday's 59-14 win versus Maine.

Impact Barnes exploded for over 200 rushing yards, a season-high while also having his first multi-touchdown performance, including a 19-yard run during the third quarter. The junior running back will aim to build off this performance for Saturday's road matchup against Missouri.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Jovantae Barnes turning it on for the Oklahoma Sooners Jovantae Barnes putting it all together at the right time for the Oklahoma Sooners.

NOVEMBER 3, 2024 • USATODAY.COM

'Awesome to see': Jovantae Barnes runs for over 200 yards in career day vs. Maine After a poor start that left the Sooners in a deficit, Barnes turned in a career day in Oklahoma's blowout 59-14 win over Maine at Gaylord F...

NOVEMBER 2, 2024 • 247SPORTS.COM

Barnes runs for 203 yards, 3 TDs as Oklahoma routs Maine 59-14

Jovantae Barnes ran for 203 yards and three touchdowns, and Oklahoma defeated Maine 59-14

NOVEMBER 2, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

'More of the same' from Jovantae Barnes as Oklahoma's run game defies odds Jovantae Barnes provided the consistency Oklahoma football needed on offense as the Sooners' exceeded expectations in the run game

OCTOBER 27, 2024 • 247SPORTS.COM

Sold performance in loss Barnes logged 17 rushes for 70 yards and gathered in 4 of 5 targets for 21 yards during Saturday's 35-9 loss against South Carolina.

Impact Barnes totaled over 90 yards for the first time this season and has finished over 50 rushing yards in two of his last three outings. The junior running back will face Ole Miss on the road next.

OCTOBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in loss Barnes posted eight rushes for 12 yards and one touchdown and caught 2 of 3 targets for zero yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 25-15 loss against Tennessee.

Impact Barnes scores his first touchdown of the season on a 1-yard plunge during the fourth quarter with the game well out of hand. The junior running back will hope to earn more opportunities during next week's game against Auburn.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Jovantae Barnes knows this offense is capable of big things The junior running back is confident that the OU backfield can create explosive plays.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Co-starter with Sawchuk Barnes is listed as a co-starter for the Sooners' game Friday against Temple, according to their X account.

Impact Despite foot problems limiting Barnes during 2023 and Gavin Sawchuk excelling then, the former could start at running back Friday. Excelling during his freshman year has helped the junior maintain a co-starter role at worst.

AUGUST 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Finally healthy again Barnes is healthy again before Oklahoma's 2024 season, Mason Young of The Tulsa World reports.

Impact Recurring foot problems limited Barnes during his 2023 season, one in which Gavin Sawchuk established himself as Oklahoma's primary option at running back. Before then was 2022, a year during which Barnes logged 116 carries for 519 yards (4.5 averaged per carry) and five touchdowns. Barnes will look to replicate more of his 2024 output, though Sawchuk's emergence will not make it any easier for the former.

AUGUST 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Finally healthy, Jovantae Barnes not settling for just looking 'like his old self' Jovantae Barnes' sophomore season was limited due to injury and filled with frustration. Now healthy, the Oklahoma running back isn't settli...

AUGUST 5, 2024 • 247SPORTS.COM

Returns after lengthy absence Barnes rushed five times for 17 yards in Saturday's 38-33 loss to Kansas.

Impact Barnes had not played since Week 3 heading into Saturday's game at Kansas and made his return to the field. He rushed five times for 17 yards, which is not great production, but it was good for him to get back on the field.

OCTOBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE