The Oklahoma Sooners are one of the great programs in college football history. Over the last 75 years, the program has claimed seven national championships and won more games than virtually every other team in the country. Needless to say, the Sooners haven’t done that without exceptional quarterback play. To give you an idea of just how many great quarterbacks have played for the Sooners, we thought we’d put together a list of the top five quarterbacks in Oklahoma history.
5. Jamelle Holieway
Undersized and overlooked, Holieway belongs among the great quarterbacks in Oklahoma history. While not a proficient passer, he was an incredible athlete. As a true freshman, Holieway was tasked with taking over at quarterback when Troy Aikman was injured during the fourth game of the season.
Despite losing to Miami the game Aikman was hurt, Holieway helped Oklahoma win every other game, becoming the first true freshman quarterback to win a national title.
4. Jason White
The fact that White could even play after tearing the ACL in both knees early in his Oklahoma career is amazing. Despite a lack of mobility because of those injuries, he put together an amazing season in 2003, throwing 40 touchdowns, winning the Heisman Trophy, and leading the Sooners to the National Championship Game.
He was nearly as good the following year, finishing third in the Heisman voting and once again leading the Sooners to an undefeated regular season despite losing in the National Championship Game.
3. Kyler Murray
Murray spent just one season as the starter at Oklahoma after beginning his career at Texas A&M. But what a year it was for the Sooners. Murray dazzled with his arm strength and athleticism, throwing for over 4,300 yards and rushing for over 1,000.
Between his arm and his legs, Murray accounted for 54 touchdowns in 2018. He also set the Big 12 record for quarterback rating and led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff.
2. Baker Mayfield
Mayfield had quite an odyssey just getting to Oklahoma, but once there, he settled in as a three-year starter and left a legend. He ended his Oklahoma career with 119 touchdown passes for the Sooners, leading Oklahoma to three straight Big 12 titles.
As a senior, he won the Heisman after amassing over 4,600 passing yards. In his finest hour, he nearly led the Sooners to a win in the Rose Bowl, helping Oklahoma score 48 points against a ridiculously good Georgia defense in a losing effort.
1. Sam Bradford
Even though his career was cut short by injury, Bradford remains the best quarterback in Oklahoma history. As a sophomore, he threw for over 4,700 yards and 50 touchdowns on his way to winning the Heisman and leading Oklahoma to the National Championship Game.
Who knows what he could have done the following year if injuries hadn’t limited him to three games. But Bradford did enough in his two years as a starter to earn recognition as the best quarterback in Oklahoma history.