Oklahoma Sooners Football All-Time Team

Oklahoma is a very proud state with passionate football fans that flock to see the Sooners play. I personally did part of my growing up in Midwest City, Oklahoma, which is a suburb of Oklahoma City. I lived about 20 minutes from Norman, where Oklahoma University is located in my early childhood. My mom was stationed there through the Air Force, not long after my dad was discharged from the same branch. Oklahoma was the first place that I remember anything with sports, and lived for a good period of time. So in my first of many articles that I will write with college all-time teams on here, I thought it would be fitting for me to start with my favorite college team: the Oklahoma Sooners. The years played are listed next to the player.

Note: They had to play a minimum of two seasons at their particular college to make the list.

Quarterback

Jason White(2000-04): The 2003 Heisman Trophy winner had a great finish to his career after two serious knee injuries that ended his seasons in 2001 and 2002. Although the Sooners did not win the BCS Championship in their two tries against LSU and USC, White led Oklahoma to two straight undefeated regular seasons during his final two years.

Backups: Josh Heupel(1999-2000), Jack Mildren(1968-71)

Running backs

Billy Sims(1976-79): The 1978 Heisman Trophy winner is the clearcut starter here in a rich tradition of great running backs at Oklahoma. He finished his career with 3,813 rushing yards even after he had an injury-filled early tenure at Oklahoma.

Adrian Peterson(2004-06): No player in the history of Oklahoma football has made such a splash as Peterson did as a freshman. He finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting that year, the highest ever for any freshman after rushing for over 1,900 yards that year. Injuries kept him from establishing the university's all-time rushing mark held by Sims.

Backups: Steve Owens(1966-69), Billy Vessels(1949-52), Greg Pruitt(1969-72), Joe Washington(1972-75)

Wide Receivers

Mark Clayton(2001-04): He shattered all receiving records at Oklahoma which included 83 receptions, 1,425 yards, and 15 touchdowns in his junior year in 2003. His play-making ability helped the Sooners reach the BCS Championship game in his final two years.

Tinker Owens(1972-75): The younger brother of Oklahoma's Heisman Trophy winner Steve Owens, Tinker made the most of his small frame by being named All-American during his final two years at wide receiver. He is currently fourth on the Sooners all-time list in receiving yards.

Backups: Billy Brooks(1972-75), Mark Bradley(2001-04)

Tight End

Keith Jackson(1984-87): Even though he played in a wishbone offense that was run heavy, Jackson averaged over 23 yards a catch during his career at Oklahoma, and was named All-American during his final two years as a Sooner. Jackson was one of the most complete players at tight end in college football history.

Backup: Trent Smith(1999-2002)

Offensive Line

Jerry Tubbs(1954-56): Tubbs was an All-American on two occasions in 1955 and 1956. He also played linebacker, and the Sooners never lost in his three years in college.

Jamaal Brown(2001-04): Brown was a two-time All-American at Oklahoma during his final two years. He was part of a record-breaking offense that went undefeated in the regular season during his final two years.

Anthony Phillips(1985-88): Phillips was an All-American in 1986 and 1988. He also was named all-conference player at guard for all four years he played at Oklahoma.

Jim Weatherall(1948-51): An All-American on two occasions, Weatherall was part of the first national championship in Sooners history in 1950.

Kurt Burris(1951-54): Burris finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1954 behind Wisconsin fullback Alan Ameche. He was named All-American in 1954 after helping the Sooners to an undefeated 1954 season.

Backups: Tom Brahaney(1970-72), J.D. Roberts(1951-53)

Defensive Line

Lee Roy Selmon(1972-75): Selmon was one of the most dominant lineman in the history of college football. The 1975 Outland Trophy and Lombardi winner helped the Sooners to two National Championships, with one of them being share with USC in 1974.

Tommie Harris(2001-03): A two-time All-American, Harris constantly drew attention from opposing offensive lines with his play. Harris was a big reason why the Sooners went undefeated during the regular season in 2003.

Dewey Selmon(1972-75): This Selmon was the twin brother of Lee Roy, and he earned All-American honors on two occasions at Oklahoma during their national title years in 1974 and 1975.

Tony Casillas(1982-85): Casillas became the second player in Oklahoma history to win the Lombardi Trophy as the nation's best lineman, and was once called the best defensive lineman that head coach Barry Switzer ever saw.

Backups: Lucious Selmon(1970-73), Rick Bryan(1980-83), Cedric Jones(1992-95)

Linebackers

Brian Bosworth(1984-86): No Oklahoma all-time team would be complete without the "Boz" on it. The only two-time Butkus Award winner in college football history was not only one of Oklahoma's best players ever, but one of the greats in the history of the college game.

Rocky Calmus(1998-2001): After starting his career with a very bad Oklahoma team in his freshman year, Calmus became an All-American during his final two years while helping to lead the Sooners to BCS Championship during his junior campaign. He capped his career as the Butkus Award winner in 2001.

Teddy Lehman(2000-03): Another linebacker who won the Butkus Award was Lehman in 2003. Lehman was named All-American during his final two years at Oklahoma after filling big shoes left by Calmus.

Backups: Rod Shoate(1971-74), Dante Jones(1984-87), Rufus Alexander(2003-06)

Defensive Backs

Rickey Dixon(1984-87): The first Sooners player to ever win the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back in 1987. Dixon helped the Sooners to a national championship in 1985, and a return appearance during his final year against Miami in Orange Bowl.

Roy Williams(1999-2001): Williams won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2001, and was a big part of the BCS Championship team in 2000 that put Oklahoma back on the scene.

Derrick Strait(2000-03): Strait followed right where Roy Williams left off by winning the Thorpe Award in 2003. Strait was also named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2003 after a career that saw him rack up 397 yards on interception returns.

Darrell Royal(1946-49): Although he was well-known for his passing ability on offense and punting on special teams, Royal is still the all-time leader in Sooners history in interceptions with 17 of them. Of course, Royal went on to a legendary coaching career at Texas.

Backups: J.T. Thatcher(1997-2000), Brandon Everage(2000-03)

Kicker

Tim Duncan(1999-2001): Duncan holds the school record for the most converted field goals with 44 of them. He is fourth on the Sooners all-time scoring list with 297 career points. He played a big role by connecting on two field goals for the Sooners in their win over Florida State in the BCS Championship in 2000.

Punter

Jeff Ferguson(1998-2001): One of the best all-around punters in college football history was named All-American at the position in 2001. He played a key role in the BCS Championship game against Florida State as well during his junior year.

Kickoff/Punt Returner

Antonio Perkins(2001-04): Perkins set a record with three punt return touchdowns in a game when he did so against UCLA. He is tied with Wes Welker for the most punt return touchdowns in collegiate career with eight.

That is my Oklahoma Sooners all-time team. As you can see, the running backs, defensive line, and linebackers have been very good for the Sooners in their storied history. Be sure to check out the coming all-time college football teams.

Sources: www.soonersports.com, 2006 College Football Almanac