Week one of the 2024 NFL season has come and gone, and with all 32 teams in action, fans of the Oklahoma Sooners had their pick of players to cheer for. OU has players on nearly every team across the league, guys who refined their skills in Norman and were good enough to make it to the next level.
This week, three former Sooners rose to the top, turning in excellent performances to help their teams improve to 1-0. Each was instrumental in their squads’ victories to open up the young season.
1. Joe Mixon, RB – Houston
The Houston Texans acquired running back [autotag]Joe Mixon[/autotag] this offseason after he spent his entire career with the Cincinnati Bengals.
In his first game with his new team, Mixon made quite the first impression. Mixon was the league’s leading rusher in week one, carrying the ball 30 times for 159 yards and a touchdown, helping the Texans beat the Indianapolis Colts 29-27.
2. Baker Mayfield, QB – Tampa Bay
Of the league-leading three opening-day starting quarterbacks from Oklahoma, [autotag]Baker Mayfield[/autotag] was the best of the bunch in week one, opening his second year on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In a 37-20 win against the Washington Commanders, Mayfield completed 24 of his 30 pass attempts for 289 yards and four touchdowns. Though he’s on his fourth NFL team since 2018, Mayfield has found a home in Tampa Bay, signing a contract extension this offseason.
The Buccaneers are clearly his team now.
3. Creed Humphrey, C – Kansas City
Kansas City Chiefs center [autotag]Creed Humphrey[/autotag] continues to dominate, as he helped his team earn a 27-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night.
https://twitter.com/Nate_Tice/status/1832095683832422790
Humphrey was the second-highest graded center in the league for week one by Pro Football Focus and is regularly one of the best players in the NFL at his position. He also pancaked Baltimore’s All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton on Kansas City’s opening touchdown of the season, reaching a terrifying 14.69 MPH max speed, according to NextGenStats.
With so many stars all over the league, it could be three entirely different players who played their college ball in Norman that shine in week two.
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