Dallas on Saturday. While the programs have been fairly even on the field over the last few years — both have won two of the last four — the two differ in producing pro players.
Here’s a positional breakdown of the Longhorns and Sooners in the NFL.
Quarterback: Oklahoma
Former Sooner Sam Bradford from the Minnesota Vikings is the only starting quarterback from the two schools. Washington Redskins’ Colt McCoy had success against Bradford in college with wins in 2008 and 2009, but serves as his team’s backup in the pros.
Running back: Oklahoma
Texas offers Fozzy Whittaker from the Carolina Panthers against Oklahoma’s DeMarco Murray (Tennessee Titans) and Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings). Whittaker has charged for 141 rushing yards this season while Murray has 340 yards and three touchdowns through four games. Peterson is a seven-time pro bowl selection, but will miss the majority of the season with an injured knee. Advantage Oklahoma.
Wide Receiver: Oklahoma
Texas has just one active NFL receiver to its name in Buffalo Bills’ Marquise Goodwin. Oklahoma brings two receivers to the table in New York Giants rookie Sterling Shepard and Miami Dolphins’ Kenny Stills. Both Shepard and Stills have more career yards and touchdowns than Goodwin, giving the advantage to the Sooners.
Defensive Line: Texas
Oklahoma boasts one of the top defensive tackles in the NFL in Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Gerald McCoy, who is a four-time pro bowler. However, the Longhorns win the position battle with quantity. Texas produced several quality defensive linemen, including Arizona Cardinals’ Alex Okafor, Indianapolis Colts’ Hassan Ridgeway, New England Patriots’ Malcom Brown and Vikings’ Brian Robison.
Linebacker: Texas
Headlined by Kansas City Chiefs’ Derrick Johnson and Titans’ Brian Orakpo, the Longhorns take the linebacker spot. The duo combines for seven pro bowls, while Oklahoma has zero pro bowl linebackers in the league. Top Sooners include Denver Broncos’ Corey Nelson and Buccaneers’ Devante Bond.
Secondary: Texas
Often dubbed “DBU” for having defensive backs drafted, the Longhorns hold the edge on the back end. Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas is a five-time All-Pro honoree, while Carolina Panthers safety Michael Griffin has played in two Pro Bowls. Texas also boasts solid secondary contributors in Detroit Lions’ Quandre Diggs, New Orleans Saints’ Kenny Vaccaro and San Diego Charges’ Adrian Phillips. The Sooners have just one NFL defensive back in Jacksonville Jaguars’ Aaron Colvin.
Special Teams: Texas
Texas wins the special teams battle by default with two kickers to Oklahoma’s none. Baltimore Ravens’ Justin Tucker made the Pro Bowl in 2013, while San Francisco’s Phil Dawson was selected in 2012 as a member of the Cleveland Browns. The Sooners have one active NFL punter in Redskins’ Tress Way.
