The Oklahoma football program boasts a rich history of legendary players who have left their mark in Norman. However, it’s always refreshing to see former players receive recognition long after their playing days are over. This Monday, a trio of former Sooners found themselves nominated for the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame ballot, spearheaded by the accomplished linebacker Rocky Calmus and the quarterback-turned-head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, Josh Heupel.
Accompanying Calmus and Heupel on the ballot is former Oklahoma defensive back George Cumby. Cumby’s impressive career spanned from 1976 to 1979, during which he clinched the Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year title twice, garnered two First-team All-American selections, and tallied 405 tackles, ranking fifth in team history. Cumby also enjoyed an eight-year tenure in the NFL, notably achieving All-Pro status in 1982 while playing for the Green Bay Packers
Following a distinguished college career with the Oklahoma football program, linebacker Rocky Calmus is once again vying for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Calmus emerged as a standout player at Oklahoma, particularly during the 2000 and 2001 seasons. The Sooners secured the national championship in 2000, boasting a flawless 13-0 record while their defense conceded a mere average of 14.8 points per game, ranking seventh lowest in the nation. Calmus’s exceptional performance earned him the title of Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Not only did he lead the team in tackles, but he also garnered consensus All-American honors.
However, it was during his senior year in 2001 that the Tulsa native showcased his finest form, recording 117 tackles while clinching the prestigious Butkus Award and Jack Lambert Trophy, both accolades reserved for the nation’s top linebacker. Concluding his remarkable four-year tenure with Oklahoma, Calmus achieved the status of a two-time Consensus All-American, a national champion, and secured a position among the top five in program history for tackles.During the Oklahoma football team’s BCS Championship campaign in 2000, linebacker Rocky Calmus spearheaded the defense, while quarterback Josh Heupel led the charge on offense. Heupel delivered outstanding performances in 2000, his last season with the Sooners, amassing impressive statistics. He threw for 3,392 yards and 20 touchdowns, albeit with 14 interceptions. Heupel boasted a completion rate of 64.7%, the highest in the nation, and threw for 30 touchdowns, leading the Big 12 conference in this category. He ranked second in the conference for passing yards, trailing only Kliff Kingsbury of Texas Tech.
