Three Oklahoma Sooners were listed among the nominees for potential induction into 2023’s College Football Hall of Fame (HOF). According to the Inductees Selection Process, “new nominees, as well as individuals who appeared on the previous year’s ballot, will be included in this process each year.” Only the top vote-getters will be included on the ballot. The voting also factors in the life of the nominees after their college playing careers.
Sooners’ HOF nominees:
Dewey Selmon
The Selmon brothers played at OU at the same time, and not by coincidence. The older brother Lucious was recruited into the program by the assistant coach Larry Lacewell, who had traveled to Lucious’s home in Eufaula, Oklahoma. He also offered the younger brothers Dewey and Lee Roy a scholarship while he was there. They were fast on their brother’s heels, following in the footsteps of Lucious and playing football for the Sooners all the same.
The younger brothers had bypassed the freshman squad and were promoted straight to varsity. Together they were the backbone of a legendary defensive unit. Lucious earned All-American status in 1973, while Dewey and Lee Roy got theirs in 1974 and 1975, the same years they won back-to-back national championship titles.
Barry Switzer, Lee Roy Selmon, and Dewey Selmon – Oklahoma Publishing Company Photography Collection, OHS).
In 1974, the team was something special, to say the least. Coached by the wishbone-running head coach Barry Switzer, they boasted eight All-Americans in total. They averaged 43 points per game. Another amazing feat they achieved was to average 73.9 rushing attempts per game. It is a record that remains unbroken even today. In 1975 it was more of the same, with the addition of a second title in Switzer’s third year as coach.
1975 Sooners All-Americans:
- Dewey Selmon
- Lee Roy Selmon
- Terry Webb
- Mike Vaughan
- Billy Brooks
- Jimbo Elrod
- Tinker Owens
- Joe Washington
Josh Heupel
Josh Heupel was an All-American quarterback who led the Sooners to a national championship in the year 2000. They ultimately beat the Florida State Seminoles in the Orange Bowl 13-2. Heupel had a spectacular year and was the runner-up for the Heisman trophy. In addition to the national title, the quarterback was the Big 12 offensive player of the year, the AP Player of the Year, and the Walter Camp Award winner.
Heupel started off his coaching career as an assistant alongside Bob Stoops in 2004 and worked his way up. In 2021 was named the 27th head coach in Tennessee Volunteers history.
Rocky Calmus
Former Sooners LB Rocky Calmus (30) – Ronald Martinez /Allsport
Rocky Calmus was a two-time consensus All-American out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He earned those accolades in 2000 and 2001. He spearheaded the defensive side of the Sooners’ 2000 national championship run. The victory brought them their seventh national title, with Calmus having destroyed everyone in his path. He was a heat-seeking missile who was deservedly considered the best linebacker in the country. He won the Dick Butkus Award after his senior season.
Calmus finished his career with 431 tackles, ranked 4th in school history. He still holds multiple school records for tackles for loss, sacks, and fumble recoveries.
The three All-Americans from the 2000 Sooners:
- Josh Heupel – Quarterback
- J.T. Thatcher – Safety
- Rocky Calmus – Linebacker
The 2023 class has some big names on the ballot, including Michael Vick and Larry Fitzgerald. It was emailed on June 5th. “The ballot was emailed today to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF’s Honors Court, which will deliberate and select the class.”
