RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesOklahoma might be one of the smaller states in the country, but it has produced some of the top players in college sports history.
Thanks to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State , two programs with massive success in Division I across numerous different sports, it was tough to decide on only 10 of the best college athletes to play in the state. It was especially difficult with Oklahoma's dynasties in football, women's gymnastics and softball, along with Oklahoma State's illustrious history in wrestling.
From Heisman Trophy winners to Wooden Award winners and some of college sports' best ever in their respective sport, here's a look at USA TODAY's top-10 college athletes to play in Oklahoma:
10 greatest college athletes from Oklahoma
Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
One of the most heralded quarterbacks in college football history, former Oklahoma signal caller Baker Mayfield won the Heisman Trophy in 2017. The former walk-on at Texas Tech was a three-year starter for the Sooners after transferring, earning Heisman finalist honors in all three of his seasons in Norman. He passed for 14,607 yards in his career with 153 total touchdowns, which ranks fourth in NCAA history. His brash style and willingness to compete won him praise from teammates and frustrated opponents as the Sooners won 34 of 40 games and made the College Football Playoff in two of his three seasons.
Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State
Barry Sanders needs no introduction, and is widely regarded as arguably the best running back to ever play the game. The NCAA's single-season rushing yards (2,628) and rushing touchdowns (37) leader won the 1988 Heisman Trophy before going on to be a 10-time All-Pro and MVP winner with the NFL's Detroit Lions. The College Football and Pro Football Hall of Famer averaged 1,527 rushing yards per season in his career in the NFL, proving his college career was no fluke.
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Lee Roy Selmon, Oklahoma
Selmon is considered one of the greatest defensive player in the history of Oklahoma's football program, starring alongside his two brothers while winning two national championships and being named to two All-America teams from 1972-75. He had 28 combined sacks in his final two seasons at Oklahoma and won the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award as a senior. A member of the College Football and Pro Football Hall of Fame, the future No. 1 overall pick went on to be a five-time All-Pro and the 1979 defensive player of the year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Thurman Thomas, Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State had two of the best running backs in college football in Sanders and Thomas in the late 1980s. Thomas, a two-time All-American, was a two-time Big Eight Player of the Year and a three-time first-team all-conference selection. He finished his college career with 4,595 rushing yards with 42 touchdowns, despite missing multiple games as a junior due to a knee injury. Thomas would got on an NFL career with the Buffalo Bills and earn five five All-Pro selections and win the 1991 MVP.
Maggie Nichols, Oklahoma
Maggie Nichols simply is one of the greatest college gymnasts ever. She won a team gold at the 2015 world championships before enrolling at Oklahoma. During her three full seasons of competition, Nichols captured six individual national championships and was part of two team national titles while becoming the first gymnast to accomplish the Gym Slam twice, which is a perfect 10 in each event. In the 2019-20 season cut short by COVID-19, Nichols won the AAI Award, the college gymnastics equivalent to the Heisman Trophy. Her 22 perfect 10s are tied for fifth in NCAA history.
PROGRAM RANKINGS : Top 25 | Big Ten | SEC | ACC | Big 12
Pete Incaviglia, Oklahoma State
The best power hitter in college baseball history, Oklahoma State slugger Pete Incaviglia has the NCAA record for most home runs in a season (48) and the most in a career (100), set from 1983-85. He also has single-season NCAA records for RBIs (143), total bases (285) and slugging percentage (1.140). The two-time All-American went on to be the No. 8 overall pick of the 1985 MLB Draft, and skipped the minor league entirely to play for the Texas Rangers.
Keilani Ricketts, Oklahoma
Two-way star Keilani Ricketts stands out among the long list of the greatest players in Oklahoma softball's illustrious history under legendary coach Patty Gasso. The four-time All-American was the back-to-back USA Softball Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013, and led the Sooners to the 2013 national championship while pitching and hitting. She's also one of four softball players to ever win the Honda Sports Award, given to a top female athlete in all of women's college sports.
John Smith, Oklahoma State
John Smith is not only one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers in college history, but also in world history. He won two national championships and posted a 154-7-2 record at Oklahoma State while finishing his career with 90 consecutive victories. Smith then went on to win six consecutive international tournaments at the world championships and Olympics, including gold medals in 1988 and 1992. He later became the head coach for the Cowboys and led the program to five team national championships.
Courtney Paris, Oklahoma
Courtney Paris is the NCAA's all-time leading rebounder (2,034), and was one of the most imposing forces in women's college basketball history. The four-time first-team All-American who led Oklahoma to the 2009 Final Four also won three Big 1...
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