NORMAN - During his first two years at Oklahoma , running back Xavier Robinson flaunted his big-play ability several times.
Last year, he broke off runs of longer than 40 yards in the Sooners ' games against Ole Miss and Tennessee . And as a true freshman in 2024, Robinson ran for 107 yards in OU's upset win over Alabama .
Now, Robinson is an upperclassman. And quarterback John Mateer believes that the running back has taken the next step in becoming a star.
"Xavier's been good," Mateer said. "I think he's gotten into the rhythm of things."
Robinson finished his freshman season with 233 rushing yards and averaged 4.8 yards per carry.
It seemed like he was on a path to sophomore-year stardom - but injuries kept him from consistently producing in 2025.
Robinson finished his second college football season with 421 yards and four touchdowns, appearing in 12 of OU's 13 contests. The running back battled a knee injury throughout the year and logged more than 10 carries in only three of his appearances.
Robinson got close to full health to begin spring ball. But just a few practices in, he strained his calf, forcing him to miss the remainder of Oklahoma's month-long practice period.
Now, with less than two weeks until the start of the 2026 season, Robinson is finally ready to go - and, of course, hoping to stay healthy for the entire year.
"I have my teammates who encourage me every day," Robinson said. "I got the coaches, who got my back, helping me get through adversity since my surgery. I'm just glad to be back out with my team."
Mateer thinks that Robinson can be a star in Oklahoma's offense for several reasons. But what really impressed him is how Robinson used his time on the sideline to learn from running backs coach Deland McCullough.
"(He) has an understanding of what Coach McCullough wants from him, both in his play, in his fundamentals, his techniques, his reads," Mateer said. "And how to do it every day - be an everyday-er, not a sometime-er."
Oklahoma's run game is largely seen as an area in which the Sooners could take a step forward in 2026.
In addition to retaining Robinson and sophomore Tory Blaylock , the Sooners signed Jonathan Hatton Jr. and DeZephen Walkeras part of their 2026 recruiting class while also adding former Colorado State tailback Lloyd Avantfrom the transfer portal.
The depth chart isn't set in stone yet. But regardless of where Robinson lands on it, Mateer is confident that he can be a difference-maker and a much-improved running back.
"He's shown up with great consistency, which is, again, a sign of maturity, a sign of understanding what his role is and what he needs to do to play at the level we need him to play at," Mateer said.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/oklahoma as Why John Mateer Thinks Xavier Robinson's 'Maturity' Can Elevate Oklahoma's Offense .
