Oklahoma Sooners Numbers Game: 71-80
In the Oklahoma Sooners numbers 71-80, many will not find the interest in this group as others. However, there will still be many stars listed here. With that being said, there’s no way everyone will agree with what is said here. With this in mind, any and all comments or input are welcomed. Let us begin the debate.
#71 Jim Weatherall
A consensus All-America in 1950, Weatherall played both offensive and defensive lines as well as a placekicker. Weatherall also starred on Oklahoma’s first national championship team, in 1950. In 1951 he was the Outland Trophy winner and led the nation in scoring among placekickers. Despite being drafted in the second round of the 1952 NFL draft, Weatherall chose to serve in the United States Marine Corps for two years, a true All American.
#72 Duke Robinson
A mammoth 6’ 5” 352-pound guard, Robinson was selected as a consensus first-team All-American as a junior in 2007, and again as a senior in 2008. He was also a two-time first-team All-Big XII selection. Sports Illustrated magazine named him to its All-Decade Team in 2009.
#73 Ed Gray
A standout offensive guard on national championship Sooner squads in 1955 and 1956. Gray earned All-America honors and was a team captain in 1956. Also playing on a defense that only allowed a total of 89 points the entire year in 1956, a feat unheard of in the current college football landscape.
#74 Phil Tabor
A standout defensive lineman for the Sooners from 1975-1978. While an excellent player in his own right, early on he was overshadowed by all-time greats such as the Selmons and Jimbo Elrod. As a senior Tabor was recognized by his teammates as a team captain in 1978.
#75 Terry Crouch
Known as a leader on and off the field during his stint as a Sooner. Crouch was selected as a team captain and a consensus All-America in 1981. After a lengthy illness, Crouch passed away in 2011 at the age of 51. Remembered by teammates and friends as more of a kind man than his considerable accomplishments on the football field.
#76 Steve Williams (Doctor Death)
A flamboyant two-sport star at Oklahoma as an all-conference offensive guard and an All-American heavyweight wrestler. As with many of the Sooner greats, Williams passed away at a young age. At the age of 49, Williams lost his battle with throat cancer. Throughout his career in wrestling and in life, he remained a true Sooner.
#77 Ralph Neely
There really can’t be much argument here. Neely was a two-time All-America selection at Oklahoma as an offensive lineman. He played under Bud Wilkinson and Gomer Jones at Oklahoma. He continued on in the NFL, as a four-time All-Pro.
#78 Scott Evans
Two-time team captain and all-conference defensive tackle at Oklahoma. A solid and consistent player on a mediocre Sooner squad in 1989 while they were recovering from the loss of head coach Barry Switzer. Evans and his son Jordan Evans are the only father and son team captains in Sooner history.
#79 Mike (USS) Vaughan
Definitely an offensive lineman of massive size for his day. Standing 6’ 7” and weighing in at 285 pounds, a huge lineman in the 70s. He was a consensus All-America selection in 1976. Additionally, he also started on the 1975 National Championship team.
#80 Ricky Bryan
Bryan was a consensus All-American at Oklahoma in 1982 and 1983. Named Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year in 1982 and Academic All-Conference from 1981 to 1983. He owns the school record for career tackles by a defensive lineman (365), ranking him ahead of Kevin Murphy and Lee Roy Selmon. He is the Sooners eighth leading career tackler regardless of position. “No one outworked him,” said Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer.
