Oklahoma Sooners Numbers Game: 11-20
What is remembered most, a name or a number? At the University of Oklahoma, there have been so many great players wear a finite amount of numbers. Not everyone will agree with this list, there have just been too many great football players wear these numbers through the years. With this in mind, we present the greatest Sooners in numbers 11-20 of the 99 greatest Sooners of all time by number.
#11 Jack Mildren
Interestingly enough we begin today’s list with one of the all-time greats to ever wear the crimson and cream. Mildren was Oklahoma’s first and arguably greatest wishbone quarterback. In 1971, Mildren’s senior year he led Oklahoma’s vaunted offense. The Sooners offense set records that still stand almost 50 years later. Mildren was a class act on and off the field, and an all-time Sooner favorite to so many.
#12 Landry Jones
In the eyes of many Sooner fans, Jones underachieved at Oklahoma. It has been said that he did the least with the most talent. Nevertheless, Jones’ numbers speak for themselves. In his four years at Oklahoma Jones amassed 1,388 completions for 16,646 yards. Jones’ passing yardage is number one in Sooner history.
#13 Steve Sewell
Sewell was a do-everything back for Oklahoma in the early ’80s. He was a dependable all-purpose back. Sewell was a sure-handed receiver as well as a dependable running back. Sewell averaged 6.3 yards per carry and 17 yards per reception during his four-year career at Oklahoma. Sewell went on to play seven years in the NFL with the Denver Broncos, he appeared in three super bowls.
#14 Sam Bradford
Another fan favorite at Oklahoma was Bradford. The only real competition for Bradford at #14 was Josh Heupel. While Heupel did lead the Sooners to the 2000 national championship, Bradford won the 2008 Heisman Trophy. Bradford’s career statistics at Oklahoma are far better than Heupel’s. Bradford will live on as one of the all-time Sooner greats.
#15 Jimmy Harris
Although many fans aren’t very familiar with Harris, he was a great quarterback during Oklahoma’s record-setting 47 game win streak. As the starting quarterback, Harris never lost a game during his three-year career at Oklahoma, going 25-0 while leading the Sooners to national championships in 1955 and 1956. Not solely an offensive star, Harris was also a starter on defense at cornerback.
#16 Eddie Crowder
Crowder was another of the many All-America players at Oklahoma. The lightning-quick Crowder gained All-American honors in 1952. Crowder started at quarterback and safety in 1951 and 1952. In 1951 Crowder completed 51 passes while throwing but one interception. While playing a supporting role, Crowder was also a member of Oklahoma’s first national championship team in 1950.
#17 Andre Woolfolk
The talent is a little thin at #17, but that shouldn’t take away from an extremely talented player in Woolfolk. Woolfolk was a talented receiver his first three seasons at Oklahoma, amassing 59 receptions for 877 yards. Being the consummate team player, Woolfolk was asked to move to defense his senior year. Woolfolk moved to defensive back and excelled at that position as well.
#18 Jason White
White has Oklahoma’s second Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback in 2003. White recovered from two major knee surgeries early in his career at Oklahoma. Nonetheless, White went on to win the Heisman Trophy in 2003 and finished third in 2004. During his stellar career, White passed for 7922 yards and 81 touchdowns in slightly over two years of playing time.
#19 Zac Henderson
Another in the long line of Sooner All-Americans. Henderson was a consensus All-American in 1977. In 1977 Henderson led the Big eight with seven interceptions. Henderson went on to play one year in the NFL with Philadelphia and was selected to the pro bowl. Henderson also played five years in the CFL with Hamilton and Toronto.
#20 Billy Sims
Concluding our greatest Sooners in numbers 11-20, we come to Billy Sims. Sims was the second running back from Oklahoma to win the Heisman trophy. There is no question Sims has been a colorful advocate of Oklahoma football and remains so currently. Sims came along when Oklahoma was loaded with great running backs. Due to playing a backup role as a freshman in 1975, he only had 15 carries. A season-ending leg injury sidelined him in 1976 with only three carries.
While sharing playing time with a bevy of talented running backs in 1977 still he was able to rush for 413 yards on 71 carries. In 1978 Sims took over at Oklahoma winning the Heisman while rushing for 1762 on 231 attempts. The final year for Sims at Oklahoma was much of the same rushing for 1506 yards on 224 carries. Sims career rushing totals of 3820 yards on 544 attempts are among Oklahoma’s best.
