Best Oklahoma football players: Modern-era Mount Rushmore

Due to injuries and otherwise early in his career, it took Jason White a few years to finally get the opportunity to take over the Oklahoma offense. But once the quarterback finally got the opportunity to get a full season at the helm of the Sooners in 2003, it was clear why the program stuck with him and wanted to give the signal-caller his opportunity to shine.

In that season, White was impressive as he threw for 3,846 yards and 40 touchdowns to only 10 interceptions. Seemingly out of nowhere due to the fact he’d been unable to stay on the field, White became a college football star. For his efforts in his first season as the starter, he was handed the biggest individual prize in the sport, winning the 2003 Heisman Trophy.

White was unable to fully replicate the success he had when he returned for the following season but, rest assured, he was still quite good. He actually completed 3.8 percent more of his passes and, in one fewer game, still threw for 3,205 yards, 35 touchdowns and nine interceptions. However, he was beaten out in his Heisman defense, ultimately going on to finish as a finalist and third in the voting.

Despite only getting two healthy years to start, White ranks fourth at Oklahoma in career passing yards and fourth all-time in career passing touchdowns as well. While some may argue Bradford deserves to be in over White, the latter’s ability to produce at the level for two years and also win the Heisman gives him the narrow edge to make the cut for the top four players in OU history.