Bob Stoops smiled as he picked up the phone to call a recruit. This wasn’t just any ordinary recruiting call, Stoops was about to make an offer he hoped he’d someday make for over a decade.
When Sterling Shepard answered the phone, Stoops offered him a scholarship to play at his dream school. It was where he always wanted to be because his dad and uncles played there. But also because Shepard had been on the sidelines, in the locker room and out at practices at OU since he was 6 years old.
After his father Derrick passed, Stoops made sure Sterling wasn’t going to miss out on the childhood he would have had with his father around. Stoops and the OU football program took Sterling under their wing. In many ways, they helped raise young Sterling.
When it was time to commit to a school, Sterling picked Oklahoma. A lifelong dream was going to be realized. After he committed, Stoops had a gift to Sterling and his mom he had kept for several years.
When Derrick passed in 1999, Stoops was asked to speak at the funeral. On a piece of paper, he wrote down his words and kept them afterwards in his drawer. For over 10 years, the piece of paper sat untouched, until he gave it to Sterling. It was a memorable moment the two will never forget.
It didn’t take long for Shepard to become a star at OU. As a true freshman in 2012, he had over 600 receding yards and showed true potential. He only got better as his four-year OU career progressed.
Shepard finished his OU career with 3,482 reviving yards and 26 TD’s. He’ll forever be a fan-favorite and a player that’s remembered for his clutch moments in critical situations.
Sterling Shepard days until kickoff in Norman.
Rumors started to circulate the reigning Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year had just moved to Norman.
Bob Stoops was one of the many who heard the rumors Baker Mayfield left Texas Tech and enrolled at OU, but he had never spoken to him or granted him an opportunity to join the team.
Mayfield showed up at a team dinner and introduced himself to Stoops. Shortly after, he was granted an opportunity to walk-on at his dream school.
Stoops said at the time it was, “maybe the strangest thing that’s ever happened in my coaching career.”
Today it adds to the legendary story. Mayfield had to sit out the entire 2014 season but won the starting QB job heading into 2015. It only took two games for the entire OU fanbase to fall in love with No. 6, after an incredible comeback win at Tennessee.
Mayfield was a lifelong OU fan that got to wear the jersey he always dreamed about. That came across with his play and was one of the many reasons he was such a fan favorite.
During his three years as a starter, he won three Big 12 titles, made the College Football Playoff twice and won the 2017 Heisman Trophy. He was also the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Mayfield’s college football journey started as a walk-on but ended as arguably the best QB in OU history.
His legacy is forever cemented in Heisman Park just steps away from Owen Field.
Baker Mayfield days until kickoff in Norman.
THE OKLAHOMA SOONERS ARE THE 2026 #MCWS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 🏆☝️⚾️✨
@OU_Baseball wins its third title, the first since 1994, defeating (5) North Carolina, 13-2, in the winner-take-all game of the Championship Finals.