TupaTalk: Quarterback U.? Sooner QBs' success in NFL shows moniker is fitting
Having grown up a BYU football fan, I got used in the 1990s to hearing the team’s nickname, Quarterback U.
But, I believe in the world of the 2010s and 2020s, the University of Oklahoma could be the heir apparent to the soaring appellation.
It’s really kind of amazing when one considers the tremendous impact former Sooner quarterbacks have had, and are having, in the NFL.
Oklahoma products who have been starters the past decade in the NFL include Sam Bradford (Rams, Eagles, Vikings, Cardinals) Baker Mayfield (Browns, Panthers), Kyler Murray (Cardinals), Jalen Hurts (Eagles), and Landry Jones (Steelers, etc.).
Some other great OU signal callers in the 2000s, although they didn’t make much of a NFL presence, if any, include Paul Thompson, Nate Hbyl, Jason White and Josh Heupel.
Perhaps OU’s most impressive quarterback family tree the past 20 years is Heisman Trophy winners White, Bradford, Mayfield and Murray.
As far as the OU QB’s now in the NFL, Hurts is the starter on an unbeaten (6-0) Philadelphia squad, and Murray has been considered as one of the NFL’s best for the past several years.
Mayfield started for many seasons for the Browns and has been battling through injury this season with the Panthers.
I am impressed with Oklahoma’s assembly line of great quarterbacks. I think you have to include current USC starter Caleb Williams as part of that legacy, even though he transferred from Oklahoma.
While acknowledging Oklahoma’s incredible string of great quarterbacks, BYU certainly deserved the title of Quarterback U. starting in the 1970s.
A partial list includes NFL Hall of Famer and Super Bowl winner Steve Young (49ers), Super Bowl winner Jim McMahon (Bears), Heisman Trophy winner and longtime NFL starter or journeyman Ty Detmer (six teams, including Packers, Eagles and Lions), Marc Wilson (Raiders), Gifford Nielsen (Houston Oilers), Robbie Bosco (1984 national championship starter) and current New York Jets’ starter Zach Wilson.
Two of the older BYU quarterbacks that helped start the tradition were Virgil Carter (30 starts for the Bears) and Gary Shiede.
Of course, there have been others who were great in college and played — and even started — in the NFL.
I’ve been happy to be associated with the quarterback factory at both BYU and Oklahoma.
I do have one unique connection with one of the great passers listed above.
Next November will include the 50th Anniversary of my high school team winning the Utah state AAAA championship.
In the final, played at the BYU stadium, my school stunned highly favored Provo High — which was quarterbacked by Nielsen.
A few years ago, Nielsen visited Bartlesville as part of a church assignment. At the end of the meeting, I found him and mentioned that 1972 championship game.
After high school, Nielsen — who I rooted for — had gone on to become really BYU’s first great collegiate quarterback and would start several games for Houston, including at least one playoff win. But, I sensed by his facial expression that when I mentioned that 1972 state final, it still hurt after all those years.
That’s what I call a true warrior and true competitor. I guess that’s what sets all these guys apart.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Tupa: Sooner QBs' success lends credence to Quarterback U. moniker
