Ollie Gordon II is the top returning running back in college football.
The Oklahoma State star played in ever game as a true freshman in 2022. He used the experience as a springboard for a breakout year this past season, rushing for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns.
His rushing numbers led the country, while he finished second in the nation in touchdowns. Gordon also averaged 6.1 yards per carry on his way to earning first-team All-American honors. He also became the first player in Oklahoma State history to win the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s top running back.
Poised to contend for the Heisman Trophy — he finished seventh in voting in 2023 — and be a face of college football, Gordon is capitalizing on his NIL potential. He recently signed with The Familie for NIL representation. Now he’s inked an NIL deal with McDonald’s of the Southern Plains.
The running back posted on social media as part of the activation, sharing his go-to order at McDonald’s. Gordon enjoys a McDouble, Spicy McChicken, medium fries and ranch for dipping.
“This is the perfect McDonald’s experience in one meal,” he wrote on Instagram. “I call it the OGII. I also grabbed a McFlurry since it’s heating up in Oklahoma! What’s your go-to order?”
Despite speculation that started in October that Gordon would enter the transfer portal, he passed on college football’s free agency over the winter and again this spring. He announced he was staying at Oklahoma State on Christmas Eve in a fun, 85-second video. Gordon is seen watching game film with Pistol Pete in the office of Oklahoma State president Kayse Shrum, who eventually asks if the running back returning for the 2024 season.
“Dr. Shrum, I’m home,” Gordon said in the video. “Welcome to Olliewood.”
Ollie Gordon capitalizing on NIL, poised for big 2024 season
Ranked by On3 as one of the top 25 players in college football ahead of the 2024 season, Gordon has worked extensively with the Oklahoma State-driven NIL collective Pokes with a Purpose. He’s also promoted EA Sports College Football 25 and been featured in gameplay trailers. With nearly 43,000 social media followers, his NIL value is only rising.
The Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year only had two games over his final 11 in 2023 where he ran for less than 100 yards. He’s already appearing in early 2025 NFL mock draft as a potential first-round pick.
“He’s going to try to join Jonathan Taylor, Darren McFadden and Ricky Williams as the only running backs to ever win the Doak Walker Award twice,” Greg McElroy recently said about Gordon on his Always College Football podcast. “He was the obvious choice last year when looking at what he accomplished. He led the nation last year with over 1,700 rushing yards. Second in rushing touchdowns with 21 and second in yards after contact.
“… Ollie Gordon at number one, far and away, at running back here in college football heading into ’24.”
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