Oklahoma Football: How Oklahoma became a dominant recruiting force

Facilities

Bob Stoops’ most lasting legacy might not end up being his national championship, 10 Big 12 titles or countless individual trophies won by players in the program. It could be the building they are now housed in.

The Barry Switzer center might have another legendary coach’s name attached to it, but make no mistake that it was Stoops’ tireless work and success that led to its building. The facility is state-of-the-art with a laser-time 40-yard dash setup, its own barbershop and of course the finest in all athletic training equipment. There may be some that equal it in college football, but none that surpass it.

The athletic dorms also got an upgrade in the past few years, giving players the kind of living quarters that attracts big-time recruits.

Baker Mayfield

The Sooners have had other Heisman Trophy winners and No. 1 overall draft picks, but you would probably have to go back to Brian Bozworth to find the last time they had a true rockstar on their roster like Baker Mayfield and one could argue with the growth of college football and media since the 1980s that it has never happened.

Mayfield was the talk of college football for his three year stint at Oklahoma. Whether it was praise for his electric on-the-field play or his sometimes-controversial antics on and off the field, all the publicity was good publicity for the Sooners when it comes to recruiting.

The entire week leading up to the NFL draft Mayfield was trending along with major political stories as one of the top news items in the country.  Even now with Mayfield over 1,000 miles away in Cleveland the Sooners are still reaping the benefits of his time in Norman. Every time someone tunes in to watch Hard Knocks on HBO Mafield’s face is staring right back at them through the television.

As long as Mayfield continues to make headlines, the University of Oklahoma will as well. That’s something recruits  notice.