The Best Football Players Of Oklahoma

With seven acknowledged national titles and the same number of Heisman Trophy winners, Oklahoma boasts among the most prolific college football programs. This kind of achievement is reserved for the very best players. Some of the greatest Oklahoma Sooners players are listed here in chronological order.

Jim Weatherall

Offensive Tackle (1949-1951)

Weatherall was not just a standout on the offensive line for the Sooners, but also a reliable kicker. Weatherall was a two-time All-American for Oklahoma on the offensive line and the 1951 recipient of the Outland Trophy, given annually to the best interior player in the NFL. In 1992, he was honored with induction into the College Hall of Fame for Football.

Billy Vessels

Halfback (1950-1952)

First of 7 Oklahoma Sooners to earn the Heisman Trophy. In 1952, when he carried for 1,072 yard and 17 touchdowns, Vessels won the honor. That was after he had helped the Sooners win the 1950 national title with 15 points in 15 games. Vessels, a consensus All-American and member of the College Football Hall of Fame, first gained widespread recognition in 1953 as the CFL’s Most Valuable Player.

Kurt Burris

Center (1951-1954)

Burris, an offensive lineman for Oklahoma, was the runner-up in voting for the 1954 Heisman Trophy. The center from the All-American team was a true candidate on and off the court. Burris was revered by all and was considered by renowned Sooners mentor Bud Wilkerson to be among the best players of any position he had coached. He is a fellow of the College Hall of Fame.

Tommy McDonald

Flanker (1954-1956)

McDonald may be the best Oklahoma football player ever.   McDonald played running back throughout college. He ran for 1,500 yards and 28 touchdowns in his last two seasons. He was one of the league’s leading receivers and tossed the ball when requested. McDonald earned the 1956 Maxwell Award for best all-around performer.

Jerry Tubbs

Linebacker (1954-1956)

Tubbs, a two-way star, helped Oklahoma go 31-0 in football during his three years. Tubbs averaged 6.1 yards per run as a freshman running back in 1954. Tubbs excelled at center the next season. The College Hall of Fame, All-American, and UPI Defensive tackle of the Year (1956) deflected three passes against Texas in 1955 as a Sooners linebacker.

Steve Owens

Running Back (1967-1969)

Owens, Oklahoma’s second Heisman Cup winner, remains a legend. He has 57 career running touchdowns and 4,041 career rushing yards. Owens ran for 1,523 yard and 23 touchdowns in 1969, winning the Heisman. He was an All-American and Walter Camp Award winner that season.

Greg Pruitt

Running Back (1970-1972)

In the early 1970s, Pruitt was a superb collegiate running back. Pruitt ran for over 3,100 yards and caught over 500 passes for the Sooners in three seasons. Oklahoma’s top returner was him. Pruitt was a 1971 and 1972 Heisman finalist. Pro Football Hall of Honor.

Rod Shoate

Linebacker (1972-1974)

Shoate, a College Football Hall of Famer, was Oklahoma’s most decorated defensive player. He was three-time All-American and four-time All-Big 8. Shoate was fast and strong. 420 tackles put him among some of the Sooners’ all-time leaders.

Lee Roy Selmon

Defensive Tackle (1972-1975)

Oklahoma prepared Selmon for his NFL Hall of Fame career. Lee Roy Selmon led the Sooners achieve back-to-back major titles in 1974 and 1975. Selmon earned the Outland Trophy, Lombardi Award, and UPI Lineman of the Year that season. Selmon entered the College Football Hall of Fame with 40 sacks and over 300 tackles.

Joe Washington

Running Back (1972-1975)

Washington is one of five Sooners to sprint for at least 4,000 yards. 39 career rushing touchdowns put him in Oklahoma’s top 10. Washington was a two-time undisputed All-American (1974, 1975) and top-five Heisman finalist. Washington’s Super Bowl champion and Pro Bowler.

Billy Sims

Running Back (1975-1978)

Sims, Oklahoma’s third and last Heisman Trophy-winning running back, is a college football legend. Sims regained his footing with the Sooners after battling injuries. His 1,896 yards in his 1978 Heisman-winning season and 53 career rushing touchdowns rank second in program history. The two-time All-American and College Hall of Fame ran for over 5,000 yards and three Pro Bowls with the Detroit Lions.

Tony Casillas

Defensive Lineman (1982-1985)

Casillas started college poorly. Injuries and illness restricted his playing time. Casillas became a top defensive lineman in the 1980s after getting fit. Two-time unanimous All-American (1984, ’85) Casillas finished his Oklahoma career. He helped the Sooners win the 1985 national championship and was awarded UPI Lineman of the Year and Lombardi Award. Oklahoma’s Hall of Famer had over 15 sacks and 200 tackles.

Brian Bosworth

Linebacker (1984-1986)

“The Boz” is one of college football’s most iconic figures, for better or bad. He was aggressive and had odd haircuts. He was a majority All-American and the only player to receive the Butkus Award twice (1985, 1986). In 1986, Bosworth led the Sooners with 22 tackles. After positive test for steroids, he was barred from the Orange Bowl in his junior season.

Rickey Dixon

Defensive Back (1984-1987)

The 1987 Jim Thorpe Award winner from Oklahoma. Dixon’s 17 Oklahoma interceptions trail only Darrell Royal’s 19. His 1987 senior season saw a school-record nine picks. Dixon, best known for his two interceptions in a 1987 triumph against Nebraska, made 170 tackles as a Sooner and broke up more than 20 passes.

Keith Jackson

Tight End (1984-1987)

In the 1980s, when the Sooners began perfecting the wishbone, they still passed. Not with one of the best collegiate tight ends ever. Jackson, a 1985 national champion with Oklahoma, caught 62 passes for 1,407 yards. He may be mainly remembered for his 71-yard Touchdown grab from Jamelle Holieway in the Sooners’ national title-winning Orange Bowl win against Penn State.