KNOXVILLE – University of Tennessee sophomore running back David Oku will transfer after the spring semester, the school announced Friday.
“David has handled this situation in a professional way, and we mutually agreed that his departure is best for him and for our program,” UT coach Derek Dooley said in a release.
Oku signed with the Vols out of Carl Albert High School in Midwest City, Okla., as the top-ranked all-purpose back in the 2009 class by Rivals.com.
He set school records in kickoff returns (33) and yardage (698) as a freshman, but his sophomore season didn’t see the same kind of production.
After starting the year as Tauren Poole’s backup, Oku fell behind freshman Rajion Neal on the depth chart and didn’t get a carry in five games. Oku’s departure leaves Poole, Neal and Toney Williams in UT’s backfield for next season.