20 best Sooners from California
OU came late to recruiting Californians. The records of Sooner historian Mike Brooks show that no Californian was on scholarship in the Bud Wilkinson era. And a certain Superman remains OU’s only All-American from the Golden State. But still, California in the last 50 years has been quite good to Sooner football. Here are the 20 best Californians in OU history:
1. Roy Williams, safety, Union City Logan, 1999-2001: 2001 Thorpe Award winner and perhaps the biggest defensive playmaker in OU history. Still OU’s only All-American from the Golden State.
2. Jamelle Holieway, quarterback, Wilmington Banning, 1985-88: Quarterbacked OU to the 1985 national title as a true freshman and was brilliant until a devastating knee injury in mid-season 1987.
3. Stanley Wilson, running back, Wilmington Banning,1979-82: Started as a wishbone fullback as a true freshman and also played wishbone halfback and I-formation tailback. Rushed for 3,068 career yards.
4. Kenny Stills, wide receiver, Carlsbad La Costa Canyon, 201012: Big-play receiver who had 204 career catches and 24 touchdowns.
5. Tony Jefferson, safety, Chula Vista Eastlake, 2010-12: Hard-hitting defensive back who still is playing in the NFL.
6. Kevin Grady, defensive tackle, Santa Ana Mater Dei, 1969-70: Junior-college transfer who became an anchor of the Sooner defenses.
7. Dru Samia, offensive lineman, Sacramento River City: Started as a true freshman and so far has made 35 career starts, all along the offensive line.
8. Bobby Stephenson, defensive back, Claremont, 1965-67: The first modern-era Sooner from California, made 29 starts and in 1967 had three touchdowns off interception returns, including one against Tennessee in the Orange Bowl.
9. Donte Nicholson, safety, Diamond Bar, 2003-04: Hard-hitting junior-college transfer had 28 career starts on two teams that made the national championship game.
10. Joe Mixon, tailback, Oakley Freedom, 2015-16: Scored 26 touchdowns in two years, with 2,921 yards rushing and receiving.
11. Matt O’Neal, center, San Marcos, 1998-99: Junior-college transfer made 23 starts and was Bob Stoops’ first center.
12. Lance Mitchell, linebacker, Los Banos, 2002-04: Junior-college transfer was a standout middle linebacker in 2002, suffered a major knee injury in 2003 and came back to man the middle on the great 2004 team.
13. Brennan Clay, tailback, San Diego Scripps Ranch, 2010-13: Underrated runner who finished with 1,913 career rushing yards.
14. Dave Robertson, quarterback, Garden Grove, 1970-72: Junior-college transfer who was Jack Mildren’s backup
until 1972, when Robertson led OU to an 11-1 record and the No. 2 national ranking.
15. Steve Sewell, halfback, San Francisco Riordan, 198184: All-around talent who had 1,178 yards rushing and 33 catches, a huge number for a wishbone halfback.
16. John Truitt, defensive end, Wilmington Banning,1980-83: Solid defensive end who was not highly recruited but outshone other Banning recruits.
17. Jalen Saunders, wide receiver, Elk Grove Pleasant Grove, 2012-13: Big-play man who had 123 catches over
two seasons and three punt return touchdowns.
18. Elbert Watts, cornerback, 1981, Culver City Venice: Started as a true freshman, then transferred to Southern Cal.
19. Chijioke Onyenegecha, defensive back, Richmond El Cerrito.2004-05: Vaunted junior-college transfer who had a big 2005 season, including a 63-yard interception return for a touchdown against Nebraska.
20. Damien Williams, tailback, 2012-13, San Diego Mira Mesa: Junior-college transfer who rushed for 1,499 yards over two seasons.