You’ve seen the Crimson and Cream on Saturdays, but by Sunday, the narrative usually shifts. People love to talk about "Quarterback U" or how Norman is basically a factory for first-rounders, but that's a surface-level take. Honestly, if you look at the 2025-2026 season stats, the real story of oklahoma players in the nfl isn't just about the guys taking snaps. It's about the absolute strangulation of the line of scrimmage and the weird, high-stakes career pivots we're seeing right now.
NFL rosters are currently home to over 40 former Sooners. That's a massive footprint. But numbers don't tell the whole story. While everyone was busy watching Jalen Hurts or Baker Mayfield, the real power was shifting to the trenches and the specialized roles that keep GMs awake at night.
The Quarterback Conundrum: Redemption and Reality
Let’s get into it. Baker Mayfield is basically the poster child for "don't count me out." Just this past October, he went 29-of-33 for 379 yards against Seattle. That’s a 87% completion rate. In the NFL. That's not supposed to happen unless you're playing against air.
He’s found a home in Tampa Bay, and it’s not just a fluke anymore.
Then you have Jalen Hurts. Philly’s been a bit of a roller coaster lately, and while Hurts is still a top-tier fantasy asset and a literal tank in the run game, there’s been a lot of chatter about the new offensive staff in 2026 needing to fix his deep-ball consistency. He’s still "The Guy," but the pressure is different when you're a few years removed from a Super Bowl run.
And Kyler? Arizona is at a crossroads. There are genuine rumors about a "fresh start" for Kyler Murray in 2026. Whether that means a trade or a total offensive overhaul under new coaching, he’s still the most electric—and polarizing—former Sooner in the league. You can’t coach that speed, but you also can’t ignore the durability questions that keep popping up every November.
👉 See also: Tulsa Men's Basketball Schedule: Why This Season's Turnaround Is Actually Real
Why the Trenches are the Real Sooner Power Base
If you want to know why Oklahoma is actually respected in NFL front offices, look at the offensive line. It’s a literal wall.
- Trent Williams: He’s still the gold standard at left tackle for the 49ers. The man is a freak of nature.
- Lane Johnson: Still holding it down in Philly. He’s basically the reason Jalen Hurts has time to breathe.
- Creed Humphrey: If there’s a better center in the league, I haven’t seen him. He’s the brain of the Kansas City offense.
- Orlando Brown Jr. and Cody Ford: Both are currently anchoring things in Cincinnati.
It’s sorta wild when you think about it. The "Air Raid" reputation of the Lincoln Riley era suggested OU would produce finesse players. Instead, they produced a bunch of 320-pounders who specialize in moving other human beings against their will.
The CeeDee Lamb Situation
We have to talk about CeeDee. 2025 was... weird for him. He finished with 75 catches for 1,077 yards. Now, for most receivers, that’s a Pro Bowl year. For Lamb, who just signed that massive $136 million extension, it felt like a step back. He had a career-low in touchdowns.
Part of that was the emergence of George Pickens in Dallas, who took a lot of the "home run" targets. CeeDee is still the elite route runner, the guy you want on 3rd and 8, but the 2025 season showed that even a superstar can get lost in a scheme that's trying to do too much.
Defensive Disruption: The New Wave
For a long time, the knock on Oklahoma was that they didn't play defense. Tell that to Nik Bonitto.
The Broncos linebacker has been a nightmare lately. In a game against the Eagles—facing his fellow Sooner Jalen Hurts—Bonitto racked up 2.5 sacks. He was an All-Pro in 2024 and he’s kept that momentum going.
Then there’s Rhamondre Stevenson in New England. Running back isn't "defense," obviously, but he plays with a defensive mentality. He’s one of the few bright spots in that Patriots offense, consistently leading the league in yards after contact. He’s basically a human bowling ball.
The Rookies and the 2026 Shift
The pipeline isn't slowing down. We’re seeing guys like Billy Bowman Jr. (Falcons) and Danny Stutsman (Colts) starting to make their presence felt as the 2025 draft class settles in.
Stutsman in particular is someone to watch. His "hair on fire" style of play at OU translated surprisingly well to the NFL's speed. He’s not just a thumper; he’s actually covering tight ends in space, which was the biggest question mark on his draft profile.
The Most Underrated Sooners
You probably don't think about James Winchester often. He’s the long snapper for the Chiefs. He’s been there since 2013. In the world of oklahoma players in the nfl, he’s the definition of longevity.
Or Tress Way. The Commanders' punter is a weapon. In a league where field position is everything, having a guy who can routinely pin teams inside the 10-yard line is worth more than a mid-tier wide receiver.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that OU players are "system" guys.
People said that about Baker. They said it about Mark Andrews. But look at Andrews in Baltimore—he’s been the security blanket for Lamar Jackson for years. Even with injuries slowing him down a bit in 2025, his catch radius and football IQ are irreplaceable. These guys aren't just benefiting from a college system; they’re defining the pro game.
The 2026 Outlook: Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re tracking these guys for a dynasty league or just because you bleed Boomer Sooner, here’s the reality for the coming months:
- Watch the Kyler Murray trade market. If Arizona moves on, his value could skyrocket in a dome or with a pass-heavy coordinator.
- Monitor CeeDee Lamb’s "dip." 2025 was a statistical anomaly based on targets. If Dallas cleans up their red-zone efficiency, he’s an easy "buy low" candidate in the offseason.
- The "Big Men" are the safe bets. Guys like Creed Humphrey and Tyler Guyton (Cowboys) are the foundation of their respective offenses. If you’re building a roster or just following the game, these are the most "NFL-ready" products Norman is putting out right now.
- The New Quarterback on the Block: Keep an eye on Dillon Gabriel. He’s been getting starts for the Browns in place of injured vets, and his efficiency has been surprisingly high. He might not be the "franchise" guy yet, but he’s proving he belongs on a 53-man roster.
Oklahoma's influence on the NFL isn't just about the flashy highlights anymore. It's a deep, multi-positional dominance that's changed how the league views Big 12 (and now SEC) talent. Whether it’s a long snapper in Kansas City or a superstar wideout in Dallas, the Sooner footprint is everywhere.
Next Steps for Following the Pros:
- Audit your fantasy rosters: Check the coaching changes in Philly and Tampa Bay, as they will directly impact Hurts and Mayfield's 2026 production.
- Track the 2026 Draft: Watch guys like Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman Jr. to see how their snap counts increase as they head into their second years.
- Scan the waiver wire: Don't sleep on Marvin Mims Jr. in Denver; his return ability and vertical threat are starting to earn him a larger share of the Broncos' passing game.