Oklahoma Sooners Numbers Game: 61-70
Last week, we looked at the greatest Sooners to wear the numbers 51-60. Now, we continue with the Oklahoma Sooners numbers game series as we look a numbers 61-70. This won’t be the flashiest or most popular group as 61-70 is mostly comprised of the offensive line. However, the significance of this group cannot be understated. With this in mind, any and all comments or input are welcomed. Let us begin the debate in our latest edition of the Oklahoma Sooners numbers game.
#61 Leon Cross
Early on in Cross’ career, he battled injuries and many wondered whether he would ever be able to make an impact. His teammates even tagged him with the “Old Rugged Cross” nickname. However, in 1962 he was a co-captain and earned All-American honors in his senior season.
#62 Reggie Kinlaw
Kinlaw is one of the rare defensive players here in the 60s. He had the honor of playing in three Orange Bowls in his Sooner career. In his final two Orange Bowl games, he had 11 tackles in each. The two-time All-American was inducted into the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame in 2015.
#63 Frank Romero
Romero was a posterchild of perseverance through a time of struggle to end up on top. Romero struggled through seasons of being moved around during the John Blake era. But, he found a home at left tackle under Bob Stoops. Romero was the anchor that was so pivotal for the 2000 National Championship for Oklahoma.
#64 J.D. Roberts
We head back to the 1950s as we look at one of the best offensive linemen during that time. He was a consensus All-American and Outland Trophy award winner in 1953. Additionally, he finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting that year as well. He was also a College Football Hall of Fame inductee in 1993.
#65 Greg Roberts
Roberts was part of the most successful periods of Sooner football between 1975 and 1978. However, his best season came in his last as a Sooner in 1978. He was a consensus All-American pick and was voted as the UPI Lineman of the year. Additionally, he was awarded the Outland Trophy as well in 1978.
#66 Granville Liggins
Perhaps known more for being the first African-American, All-American player in Oklahoma football history, Liggins is one of the most influential players in program history. In 1967, he won that honor along with finishing seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting. Additionally, Liggins was also part of the Sooner wrestling program as well.
#67 Buddy Burris
Burris’ story is an interesting one. In 1943, he enrolled and played at the University of Tulsa before enlisting in the Army and serving in the war. After the war was over, he intended to return to Tulsa but went to Oklahoma after a Tulsa assistant told him he had an obligation to return to Tulsa. And, he made the most of his opportunity in being a three-time All-American at Oklahoma from 1946-1948.
#68 Anthony Phillips
Phillips was a two-time All-American and from 1984 to 1988. He moved from linebacker to offensive tackle and played there for the Sooners National Championship season of 1985. He was moved to guard for the 1986 and 1987 seasons. Additionally, Phillips was a four-time Academic All-American as well.
#69 Gilford Duggan
First, Duggan had the privilege of having one of the best football nicknames in being dubbed as “Cactus Face.” That nickname translated well to the field with his stellar defensive play from 1937-1939. He was two-time all-conference and an All-American in 1939. In 1938, he was part of a Sooner defense that allowed only 43 yards per game.
#70 Wade Walker
In our final selection, we have a four-time all-conference player in Walker. He played for both Jim Tatum and Bud Wilkinson from 1946-1949. In 1949, he was voted as a co-captain to the football team as well as All-American honors. Walker is one of only three Sooners to be named an all-conference performer in each of his years in a Sooner uniform.
