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Heisman Trophy: Oklahoma in High Standing Among Heisman Winners
On Saturday night in New York City, two Oklahoma Sooners will be on hand as finalists for the 82nd annual presentation of the Heisman Trophy, college football’s most coveted individual award.
Dec 3, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws during the first half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sooner quarterback Baker Mayfield and his No. 1 receiving target this season, wide receiver Dede Westbrook are among the five Heisman hopefuls who are vying for the 2016 Heisman, along with QB Lamar Jackson of Louisville, QB Deshaun Watson of Clemson and LB Jabrill Peppers of Michigan.
Although Mayfield and Westbrook are long shots to win the award – with Jackson or Watson expected to join the exclusive fraternity of Heisman winners – the fact that there are two Oklahoma players in the final grouping in consideration to be voted the most outstanding player of the 2016 season certainly says something about Oklahoma football and the quality of the young men who are part of one of college football’s elite programs
This marks the second time in Bob Stoops’ 18 highly successful seasons at Oklahoma that the Sooners have sent two players to New York as finalists for the Heisman. To illustrate just how unique it is to have two players from the same team among the finalists for the award, it has happened just five time in the history of the Heisman, which was first presented in 1939.
Nov 3, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) catches pass in the end zone while covered by Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Mike Johnson (3) at Jack Trice Stadium. Oklahoma beat Iowa State 34 to 24. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
With five Heisman winners in its history, Oklahoma ranks fourth on the list of schools that have had players win Heisman Trophy. Notre Dame ranks first on that list, tied with Ohio State, both with seven Heisman honorees. USC is next with six (unofficially, seven former USC players have won the Heisman Trophy, but the 2005 award, presented to Reggie Bush, was vacated because of NCAA rules violations).
Oklahoma’s five Heisman Trophy winners are proudly displayed in 12-foot high bronze statues impressively situated in a special area called Heisman Plaza located on the east side outside of Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Three other Big 12 schools have had a player win the Heisman Trophy. Two Texas players (Earl Campbell in 1977 and Ricky Williams in 1998) have won the Heisman, and Oklahoma State (Barry Sanders in 1988) and TCU (Davey O’Brien in 1938, the fourth year of the award) have won the award once each.
In addition to boasting five former players who have won the Heisman, an Oklahoma player has finished second in the voting five times (Kurt Burris, 1954; Greg Pruitt, 1972; Billy Sims, 1979, the year after he won the Heisman; Josh Heupel, 2000, and Adrian Peterson in 2004) and in the top five 15 times,
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