NORMAN – DeMarco Murray is like many players – there isn’t a full appreciation of how good they were until they’re gone.

Oklahoma admits the biggest offensive hole it has to fill is the one Murray left about seven yards deep in the backfield and from time to time in the slot.

“I feel we have guys that are capable, but will they do it?” said OU coach Bob Stoops. “DeMarco Murray was our all-time touchdown leader here, and I don’t think he had a fumble all last year. Will these guys take care of the ball?”

Both are questions the Sooners hope to answer by the time the season kicks off Sept. 3 against Tulsa at Owen Field. However, they’re not looking to one person to fill the void. There’s a plethora of running backs in OU’s stable. The committee approach is going to be used.

“We have a lot of guys who can present a lot of different things to the table and to the team,” said sophomore running back Roy Finch.

Finch’s ability is one of things the Sooners will experiment with this season. The 5-foot-7, 166-pound sophomore is the leading returning rusher after gaining 398 yards as a freshman. But his small size limits his ability to carry the ball 25-30 times a game. He’s also a very effective receiver in the slot – like Murray.

Sophomore Brennan Clay, who topped the preseason depth chart, is in the same vein. At 5-11 and 194 pounds, he’s no behemoth. He does have elusive speed and a receiver’s skills.

“Brennan, me and him are kind of like the same back. We both present the same things,” Clay said. “He also can catch the ball out of the backfield, and I feel like both of us are gonna be fighting for that position to be in that slot full-time this year.”

Both have indicated offensive coordinator Josh Heupel has used them heavily as slot receivers since practice started five days ago. That still leaves room for someone to actually play running back.

The Sooners need someone. OU’s quarterbacks have put up huge passing numbers since the offense was altered to a no-huddle style in 2008. But the Sooners pride themselves on having a balanced offense. Someone is going to have to carry the ball between the tackles.

That’s where sophomore Jonathan Miller, junior Jermie Calhoun and highly-touted freshman Brandon Williams could enter the picture. Fullback Trey Millard showed last season he’s potentially the best short-yardage back OU’s had since Adrian Peterson.

“All of us know how to go out there and compete to be able to play,” Clay said. “We’re all vying for that position and we’ll put our hearts on the line and do what we can.”

The Sooners showed late last season that they had formations with three running backs on the field. There seems to be opportunities.

“We’ll see where it goes, but I can see where we’re going to use three of those guys for sure, and then keep them fresh and give you a different change of pace,” Stoops said. “Obviously, if a guy’s hot, leave him in there a while. But even when they get hot and they’ve been on a little bit of a tear, they’ll still need a blow. We’ll use all of those guys.”