To qualify this ranking of running backs at Oklahoma, I have included only players that I have personally seen in person at the stadium or live on television. I began watching Sooner football in 1958 and my remembrances go back to 1961. With that, I have not included any player before 1961. This is the first part of a series of greatest Sooner football players by position. Please comment on my lists and argue your best Sooner players. There are no right or wrong rankings. The lists, started with Joe Don Looney (10th best running back), will include offensive and defensive positions. Statistics, abilities, and overall significance to the OU football program are all included in picking the ten, but when all things are equal, my personal preference is the tie breaker.
DeMarco Murray- All-Big 12 (2008-2010)
DeMarco Murray has the statistics to show that he is one of the greatest Sooner backs of all time. With his electrifying performances in the NFL, Murray continues to show his craft on Sundays.
His records at OU:
- Former All-Time Leader in Points Scored (390) Surpassed by Kicker Michael Hunnicutt in 2014
- All-Time Leader in Touchdowns (65)
- All-Time Leader in All Purpose Yards (6,718)
- All-Time Leader in Receiving Yards for a Running Back (1,571)
- All-Time Leader in Kickoff Return average (27.6)
Injuries cut into Murray’s statistical totals, but in his sophomore and senior years in Norman he rushed for over 1000 yards. Murray is considered the best all-around back in the history of Sooner football with regard to rushing and pass receiving. If any player was a double threat, Murray was the 2000’s version of former Sooner great Tommy McDonald. Both were NFL stars as Murray continues his quest on Sunday’s with the Philadelphia Eagles, the same team that McDonald played for. Murray is from Nevada and McDonald New Mexico.
