Oklahoma Sooners Football Roster 2017: A Season of High Expectations
The 2017 season for the Oklahoma Sooners football team was one of high expectations, led by a talented roster filled with experienced players and promising newcomers. With a strong recruiting class and a veteran-laden lineup, head coach Lincoln Riley looked to build on the momentum of the previous year's team, which had finished with a 10-3 record and a Sugar Bowl appearance. As the team prepared to take on the challenges of the Big 12 Conference, the roster was filled with talented players, including several who would go on to make a lasting impact on the program.
The Oklahoma Sooners football roster for the 2017 season was a diverse and talented group, featuring 17 returning starters from the previous year's team. Among the most notable returnees were quarterback Baker Mayfield, wide receiver Dede Westbrook, and running back Joe Mixon, all of whom had played key roles in the team's success in 2016. Mayfield, in particular, was a standout performer, leading the team in passing and earning a slew of accolades, including the Heisman Trophy.
With the roster filled with experienced players, the Sooners looked to build on their success from the previous year. Here are some of the key returning players who made significant contributions to the team:
- Baker Mayfield - Quarterback
- Dede Westbrook - Wide Receiver
- Joe Mixon - Running Back
- Mark Andrews - Tight End
- Nic Shim el Turner - Defensive Tackle
However, despite the strong returning roster, the Sooners also had several talented newcomers who made significant contributions during the 2017 season. Some of the notable newcomers included:
- Sooners also had several new starters in the secondary, including incoming freshman Bryce Mccausland and sophomores Tre Norwood and B.J. Thompson.
- On the defensive line, Oklahoma had a trio of talented sophomores in Marlon Charles, Duaron Williams and Otto Taylor.
One of the most notable newcomers was quarterback Kyler Murray, who transferred to Oklahoma from Texas A&M. Murray, a highly touted prospect, had a strong 2017 season, serving as a backup quarterback to Baker Mayfield before eventually taking over as the team's starter. In an interview with ESPN, Murray reflected on his decision to transfer to Oklahoma: "I wanted to play for a coach who believed in me and had a system that fit my style of play. Coach Riley's offense was something I had always been drawn to, and I felt like it was a great opportunity for me to come in and compete for the starting job."
Despite the strong roster and promising newcomers, the 2017 season for the Oklahoma Sooners was not without its challenges. The team struggled with injuries and inconsistent play, particularly in the early parts of the season. In an interview with the Norman Transcript, coach Lincoln Riley acknowledged the team's struggles, saying: "We had some adversity early in the season, but our guys were able to rally together and make some big plays when it counted. I'm proud of the way they responded and the progress we made as the season went on."
As the team prepared to take on the challenges of the Big 12 Conference, the roster was filled with talented players who were eager to make their mark. In addition to the returning starters and newcomers, the Sooners also had a strong recruiting class, which included several highly touted prospects who would go on to make significant contributions to the team. Some of the notable recruits from the 2017 class included:
- Chuba Hubbard - Running Back
- Terrion WPhillipson wide receiver
- Patrick Fields safety
One of the most highly touted recruits from the 2017 class was running back Chuba Hubbard. Hubbard, a 5-star prospect from Texas, had a strong high school career, earning All-State honors and leading his team to a state championship. In an interview with Rivals, Hubbard reflected on his decision to sign with Oklahoma: "I wanted to play for a program that had a rich tradition of success and a coach who believed in me. Coach Riley and his staff showed me a lot of love and respect, and I felt like it was a great opportunity for me to come in and compete for a starting job."
As the 2017 season for the Oklahoma Sooners drew to a close, the team looked back on a year filled with high expectations and numerous challenges. Despite the setbacks and injuries, the team showed resilience and determination, ultimately finishing the season with a 10-2 record and a Big 12 Championship appearance. The roster, filled with talented players and promising newcomers, was a key factor in the team's success, and the future looked bright for the program.
Season Statistics
The 2017 season for the Oklahoma Sooners was filled with exciting statistics, including:
Top Performers
Some of the top performers for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2017 included:
- Baker Mayfield - 4,627 yards, 43 touchdowns, 6 interceptions
- Dede Westbrook - 1,465 yards, 15 touchdowns, 4 interceptions
- Joe Mixon - 1,145 yards, 10 touchdowns, 1 fumble
- Mark Andrews - 1,001 yards, 8 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
Team Statistics
The Oklahoma Sooners also had several notable team statistics in 2017, including:
- Scoring Offense: 40.9 points per game
- Passing Offense: 368.2 yards per game
- Scoring Defense: 24.3 points per game
- Passing Defense: 227.9 yards per game
As the Oklahoma Sooners looked to the future, the roster remained a key factor in the team's success. With a talented group of returning players and promising newcomers, the program was poised for continued success in the years to come.
