Oklahoma has constructed one of the vital profitable faculty soccer packages, with seven official nationwide championships and the identical quantity of Heisman Trophy winners. It takes nice gamers to take pleasure in that form of success. Listed below are 25 of the very best gamers in Oklahoma Sooners’ historical past listed chronologically.
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Jim Weatherall, Offensive Deal with/Punter (1949-51)
![Jim Weatherall, Offensive Tackle/Punter (1949-51)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_406,w_503,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/7/a/7a9b699431c5b7dbd44e56fcfb3abb8674e4dc1b/jim-weatherall-offensive-tacklepunter-1949-51.png)
College of Oklahoma
The versatile Weatherall starred on the Sooners’ offensive line and was additionally a profitable place-kicker. A two-time All-American on the offensive line for Oklahoma, Weatherall gained the Outland Trophy, honoring the nation’s prime inside lineman, in 1951. He additionally transformed 76 additional factors in his ultimate two seasons. Weatherall was an enormous motive Oklahoma posted a 31-game profitable streak throughout his collegiate tenure and gained the 1950 nationwide championship. He was inducted into the School Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1992.
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Billy Vessels, Halfback (1950-52)
![Billy Vessels, Halfback (1950-52)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1341,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/5/6/56f2fea9287bd1ed31cbe54a1f2ceeb310ece66d/billy-vessels-halfback-1950-52.jpg)
Sporting Information by way of Getty Photographs
The primary of seven Oklahoma Sooners to win the Heisman Trophy. Vessels took house the coveted award in 1952 when he rushed for 1,072 yards and 17 touchdowns. That got here two years after he scored 15 occasions to assist the Sooners win the 1950 nationwide championship. A consensus All-American and School Soccer Corridor of Famer, Vessels made a reputation for himself within the Canadian Soccer League, the place he was named Most Excellent Participant in 1953.
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Kurt Burris, Middle (1951-54)
![Kurt Burris, Center (1951-54)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_381,w_508,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/d/9/d90d8083215b5ba73d7260230dbd59eb42b406b6/kurt-burris-center-1951-54.png)
The Oklahoman
Burris was such a very good lineman at Oklahoma that he completed second within the 1954 Heisman Trophy voting. The All-American heart was a real chief on and off the sector. He commanded respect at each flip, and legendary Sooners coach Bud Wilkerson thought of Burris to be among the best gamers he had ever coached at any place. A member of the School Soccer Corridor of Fame, Burris performed 5 seasons within the CFL, the place he was a part of two Gray Cup championship groups.
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Tommy McDonald, Working Again/Flanker (1954-56)
![Tommy McDonald, Running Back/Flanker (1954-56)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1593,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/1/0/10fdbc14d42f50de902ee64337249c92d52f6a63/tommy-mcdonald-running-backflanker-1954-56.jpg)
Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Photographs
All through the storied historical past of Oklahoma soccer, McDonald simply is perhaps the very best athlete ever to grace the gridiron for this system. The 2-time consensus All-American helped Oklahoma win back-to-back nationwide championships in 1955 and ’56 whereas a part of the Sooners’ run of 47 straight victories. McDonald spent almost all of his faculty profession taking part in working again. In his ultimate two seasons, he totaled greater than 1,500 yards on the bottom and 28 touchdowns. He was additionally one of many crew’s greatest receivers and even threw the soccer when requested. In ’56, McDonald gained the Maxwell Award, given to the nation’s prime all-around performer.
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Jerry Tubbs, Middle/Linebacker (1954-56)
![Jerry Tubbs, Center/Linebacker (1954-56)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_506,w_900,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/4/0/4089d22f6e5fd1e4b144b0f9da645407c2492c71/jerry-tubbs-centerlinebacker-1954-56.jpg)
KOCO Information
A two-way standout, Tubbs by no means misplaced a sport throughout his time taking part in soccer at Oklahoma, which went 31-0 over these three years. Throughout his first varsity season in 1954, Tubbs performed working again, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. The next season, Tubbs was moved to heart and was among the many greatest within the nation on the place. The School Corridor of Famer, All-American, and UPI Lineman of the 12 months (1956) was additionally a stable linebacker for the Sooners and intercepted three passes in opposition to rival Texas in 1955.
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Steve Owens, Working Again (1967-69)
![Steve Owens, Running Back (1967-69)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_720,w_1280,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/3/0/307fa0f30659b711909af77a1f1daa0cbde44754/steve-owens-running-back-1967-69.jpg)
College of Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s second Heisman Trophy winner, Owens nonetheless options prominently within the legacy of Sooners soccer. He is nonetheless the college’s file holder with 57 profession speeding touchdowns, and his 4,041 speeding yards are fifth most at Oklahoma. Owens gained his Heisman as a senior in 1969, when he ran for 1,523 yards and 23 touchdowns — the latter continues to be tied for probably the most at school historical past. He was additionally an All-American that season and gained the Walter Camp Award.
![Greg Pruitt, Running Back (1970-72)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1273,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/1/0/1002b8369f7275dafa893e601631e38832986f3f/greg-pruitt-running-back-1970-72.jpg)
Bettman/Contributor/Getty Photographs
Earlier than profitable a Tremendous Bowl and incomes 5 Professional Bowl nods within the NFL, Pruitt proved himself to be of the good faculty working backs within the early Seventies. Throughout his three-run varsity tenure for the Sooners, Pruitt totaled greater than 3,100 yards on the bottom and almost 500 receiving yards out of the backfield. He was additionally one of many nation’s prime return males whereas at Oklahoma. A two-time consensus All-American, Pruitt completed third within the Heisman race in 1971 and second in ’72. He is a member of the School Soccer Corridor of Fame.
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Rod Shoate, Linebacker (1972-74)
![Rod Shoate, Linebacker (1972-74)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1399,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/4/d/4d327c96d666a99ed390bfc8ff86df832b84c561/rod-shoate-linebacker-1972-74.jpg)
Wealthy Clarkson/NCAA Photographs by way of Getty Photographs
A member of the School Soccer Corridor of Fame, Shoate was one of the vital adorned defensive gamers within the historical past of the Oklahoma program. He was a four-time All-Massive 8 choice — two-time league defensive participant of the 12 months — and three-time All-American. Shoate was recognized for his distinctive power and had the velocity of an offensive talent participant. He ranks among the many Sooners’ all-time leaders with 420 tacklesÂ
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Lee Roy Selmon, Defensive Deal with (1972-75)
![Lee Roy Selmon, Defensive Tackle (1972-75)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1333,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/a/8/a8a7f31076f6d2aa7cc0db707e81813d57ad4446/lee-roy-selmon-defensive-tackle-1972-75.jpg)
Wealthy Clarkson/NCAA Photographs by way of Getty Photographs
Earlier than Selmon grew to become a Corridor-of-Fame defender within the NFL, he laid the groundwork at Oklahoma. At occasions taking part in alongside his brothers Lucious and Dewey, Lee Roy Selmon helped the Sooners win back-to-back nationwide championships in 1974 and ’75. Throughout that latter season, Selmon was named UPI Lineman of the 12 months and gained each the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award. For his faculty profession, Selmon recorded 40 sacks and greater than 300 complete tackles en path to a spot within the School Soccer Corridor of Fame.
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Joe Washington, Working Again (1972-75)
![Joe Washington, Running Back (1972-75)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1458,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/2/9/29f766bdbd0b51a7a3269529ba450db394f33c1f/joe-washington-running-back-1972-75.jpg)
Sporting Information by way of Getty Photographs
One other within the line of nice Oklahoma working backs, Washington ranks third at school historical past with 4,071 speeding yards — making him certainly one of 5 Sooners to hurry for at the very least 4,000 yards. He additionally ranks amongst Oklahoma’s prime 10 with 39 profession touchdowns on the bottom. A two-time consensus All-American (1974, ’75) and top-five Heisman finalist, Washington is a School Corridor of Famer who loved a stable NFL profession. He gained a Tremendous Bowl with Washington and made a Professional Bowl.
![Billy Sims, Running Back (1975-78)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_900,w_1200,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/6/0/60df8b92bf5ae0a17fd8566dcdbbdd9a8f284c39/billy-sims-running-back-1975-78.jpg)
Sports activities Illustrated
The final of Oklahoma’s three Heisman Trophy-winning working backs, Sims is without doubt one of the nice faculty soccer gamers of all time. Whereas accidents saved Sims from hitting the bottom working with the Sooners, he finally discovered his footing. His 53 profession speeding touchdowns additionally rank second in program historical past, as do the 1,896 yards he gained throughout his 1978 Heisman-winning season. After faculty, the two-time All-American and School of Corridor of Famer ran for greater than 5,000 yards and earned three Professional Bowl nods with the Detroit Lions.
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Tony Casillas, Defensive Lineman (1982-85)
![Tony Casillas, Defensive Lineman (1982-85)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1439,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/d/1/d1a9fd5bdbd504ac277936977c616420437e9081/tony-casillas-defensive-lineman-1982-85.jpg)
John Biever/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs
Casillas’ faculty profession began tough. Accidents and sickness restricted his taking part in time. When he lastly obtained wholesome, Casillas constructed himself into among the best defensive linemen throughout the Eighties. By the point Casillas’ Oklahoma profession ended, he was a two-time consensus All-American (1984, ’85). In 1985, he was named UPI Lineman of the 12 months and gained the Lombardi Award whereas serving to the Sooners to a nationwide championship. The School Soccer Corridor of Famer recorded greater than 15 sacks and 200 tackles at Oklahoma.
![Brian Bosworth, Linebacker (1984-86)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1333,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/1/0/10fd0e3b4b604f7e1247f0edf661dc74c4682ec5/brian-bosworth-linebacker-1984-86.jpg)
AllSport by way of Getty Photographs
One of many nice characters of the school sport, “The Boz” is taken into account one of many largest stars within the sport’s historical past — for higher or worse. He had loopy haircuts and a brash angle, pushing the boundaries on and off the sector. He was twice named a unanimous All-American and gained the Butkus Award (1985, ’86) — the one participant to win it greater than as soon as. Bosworth set a single-season college file with 22 tackles in 1986 and picked up almost 400 tackles for the Sooners. In fact, he was additionally banned from the Orange Bowl throughout his junior season after testing optimistic for steroids. Let’s not get began on his appearing profession.
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Rickey Dixon, Defensive Again (1984-87)
![Rickey Dixon, Defensive Back (1984-87)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1375,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/d/2/d268222bfc2625a416689b206cf323e97936792c/rickey-dixon-defensive-back-1984-87.jpg)
John Biever/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs
The primary Oklahoma participant to win the Jim Thorpe Award because the nation’s prime defensive again in 1987. Solely Darrell Royal has extra profession interceptions (19) at Oklahoma than Dixon’s 17. A faculty-record 9 of these picks got here throughout his senior season of 1987. Maybe greatest recognized for his two interceptions throughout a 1987 win over rival Nebraska, Dixon additionally recorded 170 tackles as a Sooner and broke up greater than 20 passes in his stellar collegiate profession.
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Keith Jackson, Tight Finish (1984-87)
![Keith Jackson, Tight End (1984-87)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1488,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/6/7/67a7f001795df09fb914aa6654f33c47f645db2b/keith-jackson-tight-end-1984-87.jpg)
Sporting Information by way of Getty Photographs
Through the Eighties, when the Sooners had been working the wishbone to perfection, they didn’t totally neglect the passing sport. Not if you’ve obtained one of many nice faculty tight ends of all time on the roster. A two-time All-American (1986 and ’87) and a key a part of Oklahoma’s nationwide championship-winning squad of 1985, Jackson recorded 62 receptions for 1,407 yards. He is perhaps greatest recognized for his 71-yard TD catch from Jamelle Holieway throughout the Sooners’ Orange Bowl victory over Penn State to win that nationwide title. Jackson is a member of the School Soccer Corridor of Fame.
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Josh Heupel, Quarterback (1999-2000)
![Josh Heupel, Quarterback (1999-2000)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1331,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/e/7/e72f22fc577fd9726c41f51712623ee3e9c5a519/josh-heupel-quarterback-1999-2000.jpg)
John Biever/SI/Icon Sportswire
Heupel didn’t win the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma, however he left his mark on this system. He was the runner-up in 2000 when he helped the Sooners win a nationwide championship. In the meantime, it was fairly a journey for Heupel to get to Norman. Starting at Weber State, overcoming an ACL harm, and resurfacing at a Utah group faculty earlier than touchdown in Oklahoma. Heupel threw for 7,456 and 53 touchdowns in two seasons with the Sooners, rating fifth at school historical past. Heupel, who additionally rushed for 12 profession touchdowns, was The Related Press Participant of the 12 months in 2000 when he additionally gained the Walter Camp Award.
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Roy Williams, Defensive Again (1999-2001)
![Roy Williams, Defensive Back (1999-2001)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1340,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/3/3/33b544007c02abe357536f5870a08f7591528ac0/roy-williams-defensive-back-1999-2001.jpg)
John Biever/SI/Icon Sportswire
Williams’ profession at Oklahoma shouldn’t be outlined by one play. Nonetheless, his 2021 “Superman ” second, diving over a Texas blocker and knocking the ball from the hand of Longhorns quarterback Chris Simms and into the fingers of fellow Sooner Teddy Lehman for a landing, is without doubt one of the nice single defensive performs in faculty soccer historical past. That very same season, Williams gained the Jim Thorpe Award and Nagurski Trophy and was named Massive 12 Defensive Participant of the 12 months. He additionally helped the Sooners win the nationwide championship to conclude the 2000 season.
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Jason White, Quarterback (1999-2004)
![Jason White, Quarterback (1999-2004)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1400,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/b/3/b388d97bf09382bf55aeab46134542866c28ff6b/jason-white-quarterback-1999-2004.jpg)
James D. Smith/Icon Sportswire
The primary Oklahoma quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy, White is certainly one of three gamers to win the celebrated award and never get drafted by an NFL crew. Nonetheless, White nonetheless has a big place in Sooners soccer lore. White’s 7,922 passing yards rank fourth in Oklahoma historical past, whereas his 3,846 from that 2003 Heisman-winning season rank within the prime 10 all-time coming into the 2022 season. White ranks amongst Oklahoma’s leaders in completion proportion (63.3) and landing passes (40). Part of the Sooners’ 2001 nationwide title crew, White was a two-time Davey O’Brien Award winner, gained the Maxwell Award, and twice took house Massive 12 Offensive Participant of the 12 months honors.
![Adrian Peterson, Running Back (2004-06)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1333,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/3/8/38af78fa9b1e1b8abc0459b47e2faaf8cbac5923/adrian-peterson-running-back-2004-06.jpg)
James D. Smith/Icon Sportswire
In simply three seasons at Oklahoma, Peterson ran for 4,045 yards. That ranks fourth at school historical past, and his 41 touchdowns sit seventh in Sooners’ program historical past. Peterson is probably going greatest recognized by most soccer followers for his sensational NFL profession, however his faculty resume was fairly distinctive. A 3-time first-team All-Massive 12 choice and an All-American, Peterson’s 1,925 speeding yards as a freshman in 2004 are nonetheless a single-season file at Oklahoma.Â
![Sam Bradford, Quarterback (2007-09)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1333,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/5/3/53ba3d5ad7174a7ceb19322a38471152900333ad/sam-bradford-quarterback-2007-09.jpg)
J.P. Wilson/Icon Sportswire
5 years after White was awarded the Heisman Trophy, Bradford grew to become the second sophomore in NCAA historical past to take house the dignity. That season, Bradford threw for a school-record 4,720 yards and 50 touchdowns. For his profession with the Sooners, Bradford totaled 8,403 passing yards and 88 touchdowns — every third most at school historical past. Along with his Heisman, Bradford was named The Related Press School Soccer Participant of the 12 months in 2008 and gained the Sammy Baugh Trophy and Davey O’Brien Award.
![Ryan Broyles, Wide Receiver (2008-11)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1333,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/a/4/a49aa0821cde07f9c445f6daf84fb516911d19a3/ryan-broyles-wide-receiver-2008-11.jpg)
WD/Icon Sportswire
At a college that produced star receivers like Tommy McDonald, CeeDee Lamb, and Marquis Brown, Broyles tops the charts in relation to statistical receiving dominance at Oklahoma. Broyles is the one participant in Sooners historical past to achieve the profession 300-catch (349) and 4,000-yard mark (4,586). His 45 all-time receiving touchdowns are probably the most at school historical past. A two-time consensus All-American, Broyles — at one time the all-time reception chief in FBS historical past — is Oklahoma’s prime man for single-season catches (131) and yards (1,622).
![Samaje Perine, Running Back (2014-16)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1399,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/4/8/48dd066ca4811b40abb86180c2ec4d08cfb76e67/samaje-perine-running-back-2014-16.jpg)
Steve Nurenberg/Icon Sportswire
Of all of the legendary working backs and Heisman winners on the place that the Sooners produced, it would shock the informal faculty soccer fan to study that Perine is the college’s all-time main rusher with 4,122 yards. Maybe most spectacular, Perine did it in simply three seasons with the Sooners. He owns the FBS single-game file with 427Â speeding yards in opposition to Kansas as a freshman in 2014. Perine was named Massive 12 Offensive Freshman of the 12 months.
![Mark Andrews, Tight End (2015-17)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1333,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/2/a/2a511ccaae338898f4c9b82e5847535efa7efb3c/mark-andrews-tight-end-2015-17.jpg)
George Walker/Icon Sportswire
Keith Jackson is perhaps an Oklahoma legend, however Andrews is the one Sooners tight finish to win the coveted John Mackey Award, honoring the nation’s greatest participant at that place. Throughout Andrews’ time at Oklahoma, his 1,765 receiving yards had been probably the most by a good finish within the nation in that three-season span. His 112 receptions ranked seventh, and 22 touchdowns had been second most within the nation throughout that interval. Andrews was a two-time first-team All-Massive 12 choice and unanimous All-American (2017).
![Baker Mayfield, Quarterback (2015-17)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1335,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/4/0/407fc21fbdfe56bbefb0d952ae6a78989d914605/baker-mayfield-quarterback-2015-17.jpg)
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports activities
Mayfield’s NFL profession may not be what Sooner followers and NFL pundits thought it could be, at the very least up to now, however that takes nothing away from his stellar profession at Oklahoma. He was the very best participant within the nation throughout the 2017 season when he grew to become the sixth Sooner to win the Heisman Trophy — amongst different notable MVP awards. Mayfield’s 4.627 passing yards from that season rank third at school historical past, whereas his 43 touchdowns in opposition to six interceptions sit second. For his Oklahoma tenure, Mayfield threw for 12,292 yards (ranked second at school historical past), 119 touchdowns (ranked second), and posted a 69.8 completion proportion (ranked third).
![Kyler Murray, Quarterback (2017-18)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1473,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/9/a/9ae88a276469a0fe66c6a92f657e83a07f963932/kyler-murray-quarterback-2017-18.jpg)
Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports activities
The 12 months after Baker Mayfield grew to become a Heisman winner, Murray was awarded the identical prize in 2018 — marking the primary official time since 1945-’46 that completely different gamers from the identical college gained the Heisman in back-to-back seasons. Murray, who started his collegiate profession at Texas A&M, threw for 4,361 yards (fifth at school historical past for a single season) and 42 touchdowns (ranked third) in ’18. He additionally ran for 1,001 yards with 12 touchdowns whereas main the Sooners to their second straight look within the School Soccer Playoff. Murray’s 4,720 passing yards in two seasons rank eighth in Oklahoma historical past, whereas his 69.8 completion proportion is tied for second.
A Chicago native, Jeff Mezydlo has professionally written about sports activities, leisure and popular culture for almost 30 years. If he may do it once more, he’d attend Degrassi Junior Excessive, Ampipe Excessive and Grand Lakes College.