Despite not winning a title in Norman, former Oklahoma Sooners can improve the school’s history in the big game. Jalen Hurts and Marquise Brown highlight the latest former Sooner players to don their NFL uniforms on the grandest stage of them all — the Super Bowl.
Oklahoma’s Super Bowl Output
On both sides of the offense in the Super Bowl, chances remain high that two former Sooners will play a significant role in the outcome. In addition, their yardage production could vault the Oklahoma Sooners into the elite group of programs based on how their alumni fared in the Super Bowl.
MORE: Most Productive Colleges in Super Bowl History
Now, before delving deeper, right up front, it’s time to address the elephant in the room.
In 2018, Jalen Hurts graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in communications and information systems. However, in 2023, Hurts completed his master’s degree in human relations from Oklahoma. So, yes, Hurts is a Sooner as well as a Crimson Tide alum.
Hurts’ arm can throw Oklahoma past top-flight quarterbacks and their alma maters. Currently, OU sits 27th in passing yardage. With just 49 yards, the Sooners will pass Grambling, Syracuse, LSU and Arizona.
Next, with a strong 249-yard showing, OU flies by Wisconsin, Maryland, Southern Miss, Washington State, Boston College, Delaware and Ole Miss. Now, a brilliant 399‑yard performance laps BYU, Miami (OH), California and Michigan. Lastly—and probably most implausibly—Hurts would need 503 yards to springboard Georgia and Alabama into the top 10.
As mentioned, Hurts will not take the field with a chance to help the crimson and cream alone. Running back Samaje Perine and receiver Marquise Brown can add to the Oklahoma total. If Hurts, Perine or Brown gain a modest 66 yards, they slide past Florida State, Houston, Florida, Nebraska and Syracuse for ninth all-time.
111 yards jumps Oklahoma over Ohio State, Notre Dame and Miami (FL). Progress looks to stall as Penn State sits fourth and part of the Eagles’ game plan is to feature Barkley heavily. Under those circumstances, Perine and Brown would need days that defy imagination and reason.
Aside from Hurts, Oklahoma could see Perine and Brown assault the Super Bowl record books with their receiving game. Sitting at 32nd, the Sooners can make headway. 30 yards—basically a Hollywood Brown seam pass—launches OU away from Marshall, Pittsburgh, Kutztown (shout out to Andre Reed) and Virginia Tech.
The receiving train grinds to a halt when Cincinnati and its favorite son, Travis Kelce, put distance between themselves and everyone else. Kelce, already Patrick Mahomes’ favorite target, will see at least double-digit targets.
Hurts, Perine and Brown, if they play solidly, will have legends and their schools looking up to them. Louisiana Tech’s Terry Bradshaw is a name many believe holds records that will never fall.
The same goes for Notre Dame and Miami, bluebloods that have sent boatloads of players to the league but have not truly enjoyed success at the skill position in recent years. Kutztown State, a Division II school in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, ranks high on the receiving list based on one man’s accomplishments.
Hall of Fame wide receiver Reed put the entire program on his back and carried them to prominence.
KEEP READING: Jalen Hurts’ Epic College Journey
Oklahoma football, known for running backs like Billy Sims and Adrian Peterson, will rely on a dual-threat quarterback to raise its name in the record books. Jalen Hurts enters the game under immense pressure. Philadelphia fans, as rabid as they come, desperately want to defeat Kansas City.
Moreover, becoming an Oklahoma quarterback who wins the Super Bowl goes an incredibly long way. Remember, Alabama benched him in favor of Tua Tagovailoa and won a national championship the same day. Oklahoma reached out and helped refine Hurts’ pocket presence. As Hurts makes history, Oklahoma gains prestige.
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