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Five Best Defensive Backs in Sooner Football History

By Chip Rouse

Nov 28, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners line up against the Oklahoma State Cowboys as they prepare to snap the ball at Boone Pickens Stadium. The Sooners defeated the Cowboys 58-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners line up against the Oklahoma State Cowboys as they prepare to snap the ball at Boone Pickens Stadium. The Sooners defeated the Cowboys 58-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners sooner schooner during the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners sooner schooner during the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Zac Henderson, Free Safety, 1974-77

Zac Henderson started in the secondary for four years at OU under head coach Barry Switzer. Oklahoma was 40-5-1 overall during Henderson’s four collegiate seasons and won the Big Eight championship all four seasons, losing just three times in 28 contests against conference opponents during that time.

A consensus All-American in 1977. Henderson was honored at the 1977 Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York as the nation’s premier defensive back for that season. He also was named an All-American in the 1976 season.

Throughout his Sooner career, Henderson was considered one of the top coverage backs in the conference. He won All-Big Eight honors for three consecutive years (1975-77).

Henderson ranks fourth on the Oklahoma career list for pass interceptions, tied with Darrol Ray (1976-79) and Zack Sanchez (2013-15) with 15. His seven interceptions in his final OU season is tied with seven other former Sooners for fifth most in a single season.

After leaving OU, Henderson played four seasons in the Canadian Football League and one year (1980) with the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL.

Next: Randy Hughes, Safety, 1972-74

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