From Norman to the NFL: How Oklahoma’s Gridiron Greats Keep Passing the Torch, Inspiring Generation After Generation to Chase Greatness and Carry the Sooner Legacy to the Big League
For over a century, the Oklahoma Sooners have been a powerhouse in college football, a name synonymous with toughness, excellence, and relentless pursuit of greatness. But the impact of the crimson and cream extends far beyond the walls of Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. From historic Heisman winners to modern-day Sunday warriors, the Sooner pipeline to the NFL remains one of the most storied traditions in all of sports. And while the stats, accolades, and championships are impressive, it’s the intangible legacy — the culture, the camaraderie, the expectation of excellence — that continues to fuel this football factory.
To understand Oklahoma’s legacy in the NFL, one must start with its roots. The program’s commitment to developing not just elite athletes but complete individuals has always been a cornerstone. Coaches like Bud Wilkinson, Barry Switzer, Bob Stoops, and now Brent Venables have each added their own layer to the program’s DNA. It’s not just about running fast or hitting hard. It’s about discipline, pride, and representing something greater than yourself.
From Billy Sims to Baker Mayfield, from Lee Roy Selmon to Gerald McCoy, and from Brian Bosworth to CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma has consistently produced NFL talent that not only makes it to the league but thrives. The pathway to the NFL isn’t merely a hopeful dream for Oklahoma players — it’s an expectation. And once there, they don’t forget where they came from. They wear the crimson legacy with pride, often returning to Norman to mentor, motivate, and mold the next generation.
Take Adrian Peterson, for example. The former NFL MVP and future Hall of Famer is one of the most decorated running backs in the sport’s history. Yet, to this day, he still speaks reverently about his time in Norman. He credits the Sooners with teaching him how to prepare like a pro, how to carry himself with dignity, and how to lead. That mindset became his calling card in the NFL, and now, as he nears the end of his career, he often returns to Oklahoma to speak to the young backs, showing them what’s possible and reminding them of the standard.
Kyler Murray is another example. Though his time in Norman was brief, it was explosive. He captured a Heisman Trophy and led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff. Now a starting quarterback in the NFL, Murray remains a vocal ambassador for the program. He frequently shouts out Oklahoma on social media, wears Sooner gear at press conferences, and even trains in the offseason with current OU players. His success is not just a personal triumph — it’s a torch being passed.
The camaraderie among former Sooners in the NFL is palpable. Whether it’s Joe Mixon giving shoutouts to his old teammates or Lane Johnson mentoring offensive linemen who still call Norman home, the bond is real. It’s not uncommon to see groups of former Sooners gathering for workouts, offseason retreats, or charity events. The fraternity of OU alumni in the NFL is strong, and it serves as both a support system and a standard-bearer for those who come after.
That torch-passing also happens on campus. When former Sooners return to Norman, they don’t just shake hands and smile for the cameras. They dive in. They attend practices, sit in on meetings, and offer wisdom only those who’ve made the leap to the NFL can provide. For the current crop of Sooners, hearing from a guy who’s played under the lights on Sunday is more than motivational — it’s instructional. It’s proof that the dream is real and attainable.
Brent Venables has leaned into this tradition wholeheartedly. Since taking over as head coach, Venables has opened his program’s arms even wider to NFL alumni. He understands the value of having legends like DeMarco Murray, now on staff, or others like Tony Jefferson, Trent Williams, or Sterling Shepard visit and share their stories. Venables sees them not just as former players, but as ambassadors of the Sooner brand.
That brand has evolved, to be sure, but it’s never lost its edge. In the age of NIL deals, transfer portals, and social media buzz, Oklahoma continues to sell something real: legacy. While flash and flair might lure some prospects, the Sooners offer something enduring — a brotherhood built on sweat, sacrifice, and shared ambition. And it’s this legacy that players in the NFL continue to honor.
The results speak for themselves. Oklahoma consistently ranks among the top schools in terms of active NFL players. The program is respected by scouts and general managers alike for turning out athletes who are not just talented but coachable, accountable, and mentally tough. OU players arrive in the league ready to contribute, often with a chip on their shoulder and a deep sense of pride in where they came from.
But perhaps the greatest testament to Oklahoma’s impact on the NFL is the way its alumni invest in the next generation. It’s not just about what they did on the field, but how they continue to show up. In training camps, in offseason workouts, in phone calls, in pep talks, in impromptu text messages that start with “Keep grinding, little bro.” These moments are where the real legacy lives.
In many ways, being a Sooner means being part of a lineage, a living history that spans decades. It means walking the same halls as legends, lifting in the same weight rooms, wearing the same colors, and chasing the same dream. And when that dream takes you to the NFL, it comes with a responsibility — not just to succeed, but to reach back.
As the next wave of Sooners prepares for the NFL Draft, they do so with the backing of a brotherhood that spans eras. They carry the lessons of the legends, the words of their mentors, and the dreams of those who came before. From Norman to the NFL, the journey is paved not just with talent, but with tradition.
And so the torch continues to pass. From Selmon to Mayfield, from Peterson to Murray, from the Oklahoma plains to packed NFL stadiums on Sundays, the legacy lives on. It’s a story not just of football, but of family. Of mentorship. Of grit. And of the enduring power of a program that teaches young men how to be pros long before they sign their first contract.
Because at Oklahoma, greatness isn’t just a goal — it’s an expectation. And every time a former Sooner straps on an NFL helmet, he does so with the weight and the honor of generations behind him. He does so with pride. He does so knowing he’s not alone. He does so as a Sooner.
Forever.
From Norman to the NFL, the legacy is alive and well. And it’s just getting started.