Fansided

Whatever happened to these 30 forgotten college football superstars?

By Dante Pryor

Peter Warrick #9 of the Florida State Seminoles: (Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport)
Peter Warrick #9 of the Florida State Seminoles: (Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport) /
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COLLEGE STATION, TX – NOVEMBER 9: Wide receiver Terrence Murphy #5 of the Texas A&M University Aggies is tackled by linebacker Teddy Lehman #11 of the University of Oklahoma Sooners during the game at Kyle Field on November 9, 2002, in College Station, Texas. Texas Tech won 49-24. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TX – NOVEMBER 9: Wide receiver Terrence Murphy #5 of the Texas A&M University Aggies is tackled by linebacker Teddy Lehman #11 of the University of Oklahoma Sooners during the game at Kyle Field on November 9, 2002, in College Station, Texas. Texas Tech won 49-24. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

29. Teddy Lehman, linebacker, Oklahoma

Teddy Lehman is a “what if” story as a professional. Though undersized and not an elite athlete, Lehman was considered the top middle linebacker prospect coming into the 2004 draft.  The Detroit Lions drafted the Butkus Award winner in the second round.

Lehman had an exceptional rookie season with 103 total tackles and an interception. Expectations were high coming into his second season with Detroit. Early in 2005, Lehman suffered a Lisfranc injury to his foot and was never the same again.

The two-time All-American would bounce around the league for another four seasons, playing with four teams before calling it a career in 2010. Lehman spends his days working in local radio in Norman and as a color analyst for Oklahoma Sooners football games.

Lehman’s injury does not detract from what was a stellar college career. When Bob Stoops rebuilt the Sooners in the early 2000s, it was with defense. Lehman, along with Roy Williams and Tommie Harris, were stalwarts on Stoops’ excellent defense.

Taking the mantle from Rocky Calmus, Lehman helped lead the Sooners to their first-ever Rose Bowl win in 2002. Though the Sooners would lose Lehman’s last collegiate game in the Sugar Bowl against LSU, Lehman shined with eight tackles, two for loss.

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