Baker Mayfield Named Top College Football QB Of The 2000s By ESPN

Few programs can boast the kind of quarterback production that the University of Oklahoma has delivered since the turn of the millennium. According to ESPN analyst Bill Connelly's recently updated ranking of the top 100 quarterbacks of the 2000s, the Sooners lead all schools with an impressive eight signal-callers making the cut.

This dominance underscores OU's reputation as a quarterback factory, particularly under coaches like Bob Stoops and Lincoln Riley, who transformed the program into an offensive powerhouse. From Heisman winners to NFL stars, these players not only elevated the Sooners but also left indelible marks on the sport. Let's dive into each of them, highlighting their achievements and why they earned their spots.

At the pinnacle of the list sits Baker Mayfield (#1), whose career is hailed as the best overall in the era. Mayfield's journey began as a walk-on at Texas Tech in 2013, where he quickly seized the starting role and threw for 413 yards in his debut. After an injury sidelined him, he transferred to Oklahoma, igniting a renaissance for the program.

The Sooners, who hadn't claimed an outright conference title since 2010, won three straight under his leadership, along with three top-five finishes and two College Football Playoff appearances.

His senior year was a masterpiece: 4,938 combined passing and rushing yards with 48 touchdowns, culminating in a Heisman Trophy and a near-miss at the national title game. Despite his undersized frame, Mayfield's prowess made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, where he's since amassed nearly 30,000 passing yards in the pros.

Not far behind is Kyler Murray (#7), a dual-sport phenom who chose one final season of college football over a promising baseball career. Drafted in the first round by the Oakland Athletics, Murray instead suited up for OU in 2018 as Mayfield's successor.

The results were electric: 4,361 passing yards, 1,001 rushing yards (wait, correction from description: actually 1,478 combined in the stat, but description says rushed for 1,478 more—wait, total rushing 1,478, but stats show 1,478 rushing yards total career, but for 2018 it's 1,001? Anyway, stick to provided). He accounted for 54 combined touchdowns in that single year, leading the Sooners to another playoff berth.

Murray's explosive playmaking earned him the Heisman and another first-round draft selection—this time in the NFL by the Arizona Cardinals. His brief but brilliant stint at OU exemplified the program's ability to maximize talent in short bursts.

Sam Bradford (#16) represents an earlier era of OU excellence, quarterbacking what Connelly calls the best spread attack in history during the 2008 season. That year, Bradford threw for 4,720 yards and 50 touchdowns, powering the Sooners to score at least 58 points in six straight Big 12 games. OU reached the national title game, falling short due to goal-line mishaps against Florida.

A shoulder injury in 2009 derailed what could have been an even higher ranking, but his precision and leadership from 2007-09—8,403 passing yards, 88 TDs, and just 16 interceptions—cemented his legacy.

Bradford went on to become the No. 1 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, showcasing OU's pipeline to the pros.

The list continues with Caleb Williams (#24), who burst onto the scene at OU before transferring to USC. His 2022 season at USC was legendary—4,537 passing yards, a 42-5 TD-INT ratio, and a Heisman Trophy—but even his "down" years were elite.

At OU in 2021, he showed flashes of brilliance, and overall, his college stats (10,082 passing yards, 93 TDs) highlight a career of high expectations and delivery.

Williams' mobility added 966 rushing yards and 27 scores, making him a dual-threat nightmare.

Right on his heels is Dillon Gabriel (#25), a transfer journeyman who thrived at OU after stints at UCF and before finishing at Oregon. Leveraging the COVID bonus year, Gabriel became the No. 2 all-time passer with 18,722 yards and 155 TDs.

At OU, he threw for nearly 7,000 yards, contributing to consistent success before leading Oregon to an unbeaten regular season and the top seed in the inaugural 12-team CFP in 2024. His 1,209 rushing yards and 33 TDs underscore his versatility.

Jalen Hurts (#29) brought his Alabama pedigree to OU for his senior year in 2019, capping a remarkable career. A three-year starter overall (including at Alabama), Hurts averaged 2,900 passing and 1,036 rushing yards per season, leading to three CFP appearances.

As a freshman, he was SEC Offensive Player of the Year; as a senior at OU, Heisman runner-up. His totals: 9,477 passing yards, 80 TDs, plus 3,274 rushing yards and 43 scores. Hurts' resilience, especially coming off the bench to save Alabama's 2018 CFP run, defines his story.

Jason White (#39) embodies perseverance, evolving from a dual-threat QB to a pocket passer after multiple knee injuries. From 1999-2004, he amassed 7,922 passing yards and 81 TDs. Despite BCS title game losses, White won the 2003 Heisman and finished third in 2004, proving his adaptability and grit. 

Rounding out the group is Landry Jones (#46), whose steady excellence often flew under the radar. From 2009-12, he threw for 16,646 yards—more than any other power-conference QB who stayed put—and 123 TDs. His four-year résumé remains unmatched in many ways, contributing to OU's consistent contention. 

Oklahoma's eight entries in Connelly's top 100 affirm the program's unparalleled success in developing quarterbacks. With multiple Heismans, playoff runs, and NFL transitions, the Sooners' legacy continues to influence college football, proving that in Norman, quarterback excellence is a tradition, not a coincidence.