The NFL is filled with Sooners who are making quite a name for themselves. From offensive linemen Trent Williams and Lane Johnson to tight end Mark Andrews, Oklahoma is well-represented among some of the best teams in football in 2022.
ESPN took a look at the top 25 NFL players under 25 (ESPN+), and a pair of former Sooners greats were included on the list.
Coming in at No. 9 is Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Here’s what ESPN had to say about the former Heisman finalist.
Hurts is the picture of the modern quarterback, with an ability to beat defenses with his legs, intermediate timing passing and stretching the field vertically. He’s efficient, instinctive and explosive. Hurts has risen from Day 2 draft prospect in 2020 to franchise quarterback in 2022, leading the Eagles to 10-1 atop the NFC. His 60 career touchdowns (39 passing, 21 rushing) tell the story of his dual-threat ability, and his completion percentage made a jump from 61.3% last year to 67.3% this year. – Miller, ESPN
Hurts is having a fantastic season for the 10-1 Eagles. He’s third in the NFL in passer rating and fourth in QBR. He’s completing 67.3% of his passes this season and has thrown 17 touchdowns and just three interceptions on the year. Only Tom Brady has thrown for fewer interceptions among quarterbacks who’ve made all 11 starts this season.
Coming in at No. 19, Hurts’ former teammate and NFC East rival, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
A lean but explosive wideout, Lamb has strong hands and the ability to contort his body to haul in catches. He’s on pace for his second 1,000-yard receiving season after stepping into the No. 1 wide receiver role for the Cowboys and proving to be a consistent target no matter the quarterback. Lamb is also versatile, showing an ability to win outside and from the slot, and 44 of his 64 catches this season have gone for first downs. – Reid
Lamb is the No. 5 wide receiver on the list, behind Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson, Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase, Seattle’s DK Metcalf, and Miami’s Jaylen Waddle.
Lamb is having a strong year for the 8-3 Cowboys, who are two games back of the Eagles in the NFC East. He’s 10th in the NFL with 64 receptions and seventh with 857 receiving yards. His five touchdown receptions are tied with Justin Jefferson for 13th in the league, and he’s tied for fifth in receptions for a first down with Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams in first with 44.
The Dallas Cowboys bet on CeeDee Lamb taking a step into star wide receiver territory when they traded Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns. And so far that’s paid off. He’s been a huge part of the Cowboys’ offensive attack and is the No. 1 target on one of the best offenses in the NFL.
Another former Sooner received honorable mention from ESPN, Kansas City Chiefs center [autotag]Creed Humphrey[/autotag].
Humphrey’s pass block win rate of 97.6% ranks third overall in the NFL this year. He’s a nuanced technician who brings key intangibles to the middle of the Chiefs’ offensive front, and he hasn’t allowed a sack yet this season. – Bowen
Humphrey is quickly gaining a reputation for being the best center in the NFL just two years into his career. Playing for Andy Reid and providing front-of-pocket protection for Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs are 9-2 and have the best record in the AFC.
Offensive lineman [autotag]Anton Harrison[/autotag] hopes to be the next Sooner to take a step into stardom as he announced on Wednesday his intentions to enter the 2023 NFL draft.
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