Oklahoma Sooners: Barry Sanders
How OU has fared vs. Heisman winners 
December, 28, 2012
12/28/12
7:30
AM CT
By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- In just more than a week, Oklahoma will face Texas A&M and Heisman winner Johnny Manziel in the Cotton Bowl.
Facing the Heisman winner, however, has usually not been a positive for the Sooners. OU is 5-11 against Heisman winners in the season they captured the award.
In fact, since beating Florida State quarterback Chris Weinke in the Orange Bowl to take the 2000 national championship, the Sooners have lost three in a row to Heisman winners.
Facing the Heisman winner, however, has usually not been a positive for the Sooners. OU is 5-11 against Heisman winners in the season they captured the award.
In fact, since beating Florida State quarterback Chris Weinke in the Orange Bowl to take the 2000 national championship, the Sooners have lost three in a row to Heisman winners.
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Shepard leads historic day at Heritage Hall
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
1:11
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Wide receiver Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma City/Heritage Hall) took some time to reflect on what Wednesday meant to him but was already looking ahead to the future.
Shepard, who signed with Oklahoma, was one of four Heritage Hall football players to sign their letters of intent, easily the most in school history.
“These guys, they’ve been my boys for so long so this is a real special day,” Shepard said. “It’s time to close one chapter and start the next.”
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“It’s incredible that we’re all here after everything we’ve been through,” Sanders said. “It has been a great time. Now we’re all ready for what’s next.”
Shepard will be the fourth Shepard to play for the Sooners. His uncles, Darrell and Woodie, both played for OU as did his late father, Derrick.
Sterling Shepard admitted a day like Wednesday makes him think about his father.
“I’d like to think that if he was here right now, he would be proud,” Shepard said. “This has been my dream and getting to play at the same school as my dad and uncles means so much.”
Shepard is ranked No. 9 in the nation at wide receiver and is a part of the most highly-ranked group of receivers the Sooners have ever had.
And he has already made some friends.
“Yeah, me and Durron Neal are really tight,” Shepard said. “We talked last night and talked about how we just wanted to get this over with and get ready for the future.”
Neal and Shepard are going to be roommates. Neal had the honor of being the first OU signee to get his letter of intent get in as OU received his fax at 7:01 a.m. CT on Wednesday morning.
RecruitingNation airs at 3 p.m. ET today on ESPNU, and national analyst Craig Haubert and senior national analyst Tom Luginbill will discuss the new No. 1 team in the class rankings.
That team?
The Alabama Crimson Tide.
After landing five-star safety Landon Collins and four-star athlete Cyrus Jones at the Under Armour All-America Game last week, the Tide leaped ahead of Texas to become the nation’s No. 1 class.
Haubert and Luginbill will discuss other movers and shakers in the top 25 and reflect on recent commitments from players like Channing Ward, Barry Sanders Jr. and Jordan Jenkins. The analysts will also take a look at players whose stock increased after the recent national and regional all-star games.
RecruitingNation writers will contribute with a look at what's still on the board at Michigan and how USC is dealing with sanctions.
That team?
The Alabama Crimson Tide.
After landing five-star safety Landon Collins and four-star athlete Cyrus Jones at the Under Armour All-America Game last week, the Tide leaped ahead of Texas to become the nation’s No. 1 class.
Haubert and Luginbill will discuss other movers and shakers in the top 25 and reflect on recent commitments from players like Channing Ward, Barry Sanders Jr. and Jordan Jenkins. The analysts will also take a look at players whose stock increased after the recent national and regional all-star games.
RecruitingNation writers will contribute with a look at what's still on the board at Michigan and how USC is dealing with sanctions.
Trotter's Mailbag: A change in scheme?
December, 30, 2011
12/30/11
3:30
PM CT
By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
Jake Trotter answers readers' questions about Oklahoma football in his mailbag every Friday. Got a question for Jake? Submit it here.
Chris Wilkerson in Tahlequah, Okla., writes: Is Oklahoma changing their scheme any, offense wise? I heard maybe more option.
Jake Trotter: As long as Landry Jones is quarterback, OU will not be running the option. Even if/when Blake Bell takes over, it’s unlikely the Sooners run any option then either. Bell is a power-running quarterback like Kansas State’s Collin Klein or Tim Tebow. Not an option quarterback like Jamelle Holieway or Charles Thompson.
Chris Wilkerson in Tahlequah, Okla., writes: Is Oklahoma changing their scheme any, offense wise? I heard maybe more option.
Jake Trotter: As long as Landry Jones is quarterback, OU will not be running the option. Even if/when Blake Bell takes over, it’s unlikely the Sooners run any option then either. Bell is a power-running quarterback like Kansas State’s Collin Klein or Tim Tebow. Not an option quarterback like Jamelle Holieway or Charles Thompson.
It was one of the best performances Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma City, Okla./Heritage Hall) has had all season. It was so good that it earned him a spot in the Under Armour All-American Game.
Shepard finished with 153 rushing and receiving yards and four total touchdowns in a 55-10 win Friday night over Bethany, Okla., that was broadcast nationally on ESPNU Shepard caught five balls for 97 yards and three scores, and he also added a 40-yard rushing touchdown.
His efforts were rewarded immediately after the game with invitation to the Under Armour Game Jan. 5 in St. Petersburg, Fla. Shepard quickly and happily accepted the bid during a post-game interview.
Shepard finished with 153 rushing and receiving yards and four total touchdowns in a 55-10 win Friday night over Bethany, Okla., that was broadcast nationally on ESPNU Shepard caught five balls for 97 yards and three scores, and he also added a 40-yard rushing touchdown.
His efforts were rewarded immediately after the game with invitation to the Under Armour Game Jan. 5 in St. Petersburg, Fla. Shepard quickly and happily accepted the bid during a post-game interview.
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Expectations have not weighed down wide receiver Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma City/Heritage Hall).
Shepard, an Oklahoma verbal commit, is ranked No. 57 in the ESPNU 150 and is one of the most versatile players in the state.
He will become the fourth Shepard to play football at OU, joining his late father, Derrick, and his uncles, Woodie and Darrell.
Shepard, an Oklahoma verbal commit, is ranked No. 57 in the ESPNU 150 and is one of the most versatile players in the state.
He will become the fourth Shepard to play football at OU, joining his late father, Derrick, and his uncles, Woodie and Darrell.
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Sterling Shepard, Chargers not losing focus
October, 16, 2011
10/16/11
1:30
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Heading into Thursday’s game between Oklahoma City Heritage Hall and Oklahoma City John Marshall, it didn’t figure to be much of a competitive battle on the field.
As Heritage Hall has shown time and time again the last two years, the Chargers took nothing for granted and took care of business in a 63-0 victory.
“You can’t overlook teams. You still have to execute and do what you know how to do,” wide receiver Sterling Shepard said.
As Heritage Hall has shown time and time again the last two years, the Chargers took nothing for granted and took care of business in a 63-0 victory.
“You can’t overlook teams. You still have to execute and do what you know how to do,” wide receiver Sterling Shepard said.
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Visitors for Oklahoma-Florida State
September, 15, 2011
9/15/11
8:37
PM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Here’s a list of recruits planning to attend Saturday's OU-Florida State game in Tallahassee.
Recruits with OU Offers:
Eddie Goldman (No. 1 DT on ESPN.com), Collegiate Academy (Washington, D.C.)
Recruits with OU Offers:
Eddie Goldman (No. 1 DT on ESPN.com), Collegiate Academy (Washington, D.C.)
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Q&A: Heritage Hall RB Barry Sanders
September, 7, 2011
9/07/11
11:47
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
He’s an Oklahoma City native, but the dream for Heritage Hall running back Barry Sanders has never been to wear the crimson and cream of the Sooners.
The son of NFL Hall of Fame running back and Detroit Lions star Barry Sanders remains uncommitted, but the picture is beginning to become more clear.
Sanders has listed Florida State, Alabama, Stanford and Oklahoma State as his four favorites. He recently said he plans to announce his commitment the week of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio in January.
The son of NFL Hall of Fame running back and Detroit Lions star Barry Sanders remains uncommitted, but the picture is beginning to become more clear.
Sanders has listed Florida State, Alabama, Stanford and Oklahoma State as his four favorites. He recently said he plans to announce his commitment the week of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio in January.
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ABOUT SOONER NATION
Jake Trotter
Jake Trotter joined ESPN.com in 2011 after four years with The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman, covering OU and Big 12 football. He's a graduate of Washington and Lee (Va.) University and lives in Oklahoma City with his wife. Email him at trotterjake@gmail.com.
Brandon Chatmon
Brandon Chatmon joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending eight years with The Oklahoman, covering Oklahoma State University, high schools and recruiting. Chatmon lives in Norman, Okla. Email him at bchatmonespn@gmail.com.
Bob Przybylo
Bob Przybylo joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending four years with The Oklahoman, covering high schools and recruiting. Przybylo lives in Oklahoma City. Email him at bprzybyloespn@gmail.com.