ESPN names Oklahoma ‘QBU,’ ranks best in school history

James Fletcher IIIby:James Fletcher III•08/04/21•

jdfletch3

Fanbases argue each season over where their favorite players stack all-time and which school claims the best talent at each position. ESPN puts math into the discussion with a formula that backs up the title of Position U. For the second straight year, ESPN named Oklahoma QBU over USC, Oregon and others.

The emergence of Spencer Rattler as the Sooners’ next Heisman favorite and continued NFL success for recent Oklahoma quarterbacks Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts have helped push Oklahoma’s lead as QBU even further this season.

How it works

The ESPN formula for determining each Position U school combines each players college success, NFL Draft stock and NFL success. Points are awarded for all-conference and All-American selections during college with a sliding scale based on draft position and NFL success. The formula only considers the first five years of each player’s professional career, giving credit to the trainers and coaches beyond that point.

ESPN’s solution to the transfer portal problem is simple. Any award won by the player goes toward the school where he was playing that season. Any professional achievements by that player go to the last school he attended before entering the draft.

Quarterback U

Oklahoma’s QBU title is great, but it leads to another discussion. Who was the best in school history?

As part of the Position U series, ESPN created a Mount Rushmore of the top team’s players. Oklahoma’s rich quarterback tradition includes multiple Heisman Trophy winners and a national championship over the past 25 years.

Here is how ESPN ranked the Sooners’ quarterbacks:

  • Baker Mayfield (2015-17)

From walk-on to Heisman trophy winner, Mayfield picked up just about every honor in college football over his three seasons at Oklahoma. He finished top four in Heisman voting in two straight seasons before winning in his senior season. Mayfield was the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and has helped turn around the Cleveland Browns franchise.

  • Jack Mildren (1969-71)

Mildren picked up the nickname “Godfather of the Wishbone” for his combination of speed and strength in the option offense. He led Oklahoma to an 11-1 record his senior year, falling short of a national championship in a loss to Nebraska that was later named the “Game of the Century,” Mildren went on to be drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts and played three seasons at defensive back.

  • Josh Heupel (1999-2000)

Heupel brought coach Bob Stoops a national championship in 2000 after finishing second in the Heisman vote. He was a consensus All-American and won every quarterback award that season. Heupel made it to the NFL and spent two seasons on the practice squad before starting his coaching career.

  • Sam Bradford (2007-09)

Bradford had one of the best seasons in college football history as a sophomore. He threw for 4,720 yards and 50 touchdowns on his way to a Heisman trophy in 2008. Despite his junior season being cut short by injuries, Bradford was drafted No. 1 overall to the St. Louis Rams. He won rookie of the year and spent nine seasons in the NFL.

Who’s left out?

Notable exclusions from the list include Murray and Jason White, Heisman trophy winners who had one magical season for the Sooners but did not make the cut for career achievements.

Image courtesy of Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images