Oklahoma State Cowboys Football All-Time Team

Originally called Oklahoma A&M with the nickname of the Aggies, the Oklahoma State Cowboys are known for their extremely successful wrestling program. However, fans and students in Stillwater, Oklahoma where Oklahoma State is located, have seen a number of great players come through their football program. Here is the Oklahoma State all-time team.

Note: Players had to play at least two years for their school to make the list.

Quarterback

Mike Gundy(1986-89): Gundy is the current head coach for the Cowboys, but long before that, he would become the school's all-time leader in passing yards. Gundy racked up 7,997 passing yards with 49 touchdowns during his Oklahoma State playing career.

Running Backs

Barry Sanders(1985-88): As the only Heisman Trophy winner in Oklahoma State history, Sanders also was a record-setting running back in college. Of course he went on to have a very stellar NFL Hall of Fame career, but he also set 34 records in school which includes the most rushing yards in a season(2,628) in 1988.

Thurman Thomas(1984-87): A two-time All-American pick, Thomas had a school record 4,595 career rushing yards at Oklahoma State. He later had an NFL Hall of Fame career, and was the starting running back in front of Barry Sanders in college.

Backups: Bob Fenimore(1943-46), Terry Miller(1974-77), Tatum Bell(2000-03)

Wide Receivers

Rashaun Woods(2000-03): Woods is the all-time leading receiver in Big 12 history in receiving yards(4,414), receiving touchdowns(42),

Hart Lee Dykes(1985-88): An All-American in 1988, Dykes was part of a powerful Oklahoma State offense that also featured Barry Sanders. He caught 74 passes for 1,276 yards and 14 touchdowns during his senior season.

Backups: Neill Armstrong(1943-46), Leonard Thompson(1971-74)

Tight End

Alonzo Mayes(1994-97): Mayes was an All-American pick at tight end in 1997 despite only playing in seven games because of injury.

Backup: Marcellus Rivers(1997-2000)

Offensive Line

John Kolb(1965-68): Kolb was an All-American center in 1968 after a solid career in college.

Derrel Gofourth(1974-76): Gofourth was an All-American lineman for Oklahoma State in 1976. He is considered by some to be the best offensive lineman in school history.

John Ward(1966-69): Ward was a solid lineman who was drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Vikings in 1970.

Ron Baker(1973-76): Baker played guard at the collegiate level, and though he wasn't drafted until the tenth round of the 1977 NFL Draft, he played eleven seasons at the pro level.

Paul Blair(1981-84): Blair played during a period of time where the Cowboys had produced great running backs. Many consider him the best lineman in the 1980s in the school's history.

Backups: Corey Hilliard(2003-06), Charlie Johnson(2002-05)

Defensive Line

Dexter Manley(1977-1980): Manley was one of the most feared defensive ends in school history, and he went on to a good career in the NFL with the Washington Redskins before his off-field troubles caught up with him.

Leslie O'Neal(1982-85): O'Neal was a consensus two-time All-American at defensive end for the Cowboys, and finished his collegiate career with 33 sacks.

Jamal Williams(1994-97): Williams was stout defensive lineman for the Cowboy teams in the mid-1990s. He has brought that same play to the pro level.

Kevin Williams(1999-2002): The anchor in the middle for the Cowboys while he played, Williams was a big reason why the team began to turn things around in the early 2000s.

Backups: Jerry Sherk(1966-69), John Washington(1982-85)

Linebackers

Jason Gildon(1991-93): Gildon is Oklahoma State's all-time sack leader with 35.5. Gildon went on to a successful pro career, mainly spent with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Keith Burns(1992-93): Burns played on a solid defensive unit in the early 1990s for Oklahoma State, and was a great special teams performer. He transferred that success to the NFL.

John Corker(1976-79): Though he was listed as defensive lineman, he also was a linebacker. He is Oklahoma State's all-time leader in tackles with 486.

Backups: Ricky Young(1979-1981), Gary Darnell(1966-69), Kenyatta Wright(1997-99)

Secondary

R.W. McQuarters(1994-97): Though he doesn't have the numbers to show it, McQuarters was likely the best cover corner in school history because teams did not throw his way very often. He is considered by many to be the best kickoff/punt returner in Oklahoma State history.

Darrent Williams(2001-04): Williams had 11 career interceptions for the Cowboys as a cornerback, and is tied for the most career interception return touchdowns in NCAA history with five.

Harry Cheatwood(1965-68): Cheatwood was an All-American safety in 1968 for the Cowboys and was known for his great tackling ability at the position.

Alvin Brown(1970-73): Brown was an All-American safety in 1973, and tied the school record for interceptions in a season with eight in 1972.

Backups: Mark Moore(1983-86), Rod Brown(1981-84), Tony Banfield(1956-59)

Kicker

Cary Blanchard(1987-1990): Blanchard is the all-time leader in extra points, and consecutive extra points made in school history. He is second all-time in points at Oklahoma State behind Barry Sanders with 315.

Punter

Greg Ivy(1995-96): Ivy is the career leader in Oklahoma State history in punting average with 44.4.

Kickoff/Punt Returner

Terence Richardson(1997-99): Even though McQuarters is considered the best return man in school history, Richardson has the most punt return yards as a Cowboy with 803 during his three years at Oklahoma State.

That is my Oklahoma State all-time team in football. You will probably not ever find a better running back tandem than what Oklahoma State has with Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas. That is one mean defense that they have as well, and the defensive line is loaded.

Sources: www.okstate.com, 2006 College Football Almanac, wikipedia.com