Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: Ranking every Sooners’ starting QB since 1999

By Aaron Gelvin

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 23: A Ruf/Nek parades the Oklahoma Sooners flag around the field after a touchdown against the TCU Horned Frogs on November 23, 2019 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. OU held on to win 28-24. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 23: A Ruf/Nek parades the Oklahoma Sooners flag around the field after a touchdown against the TCU Horned Frogs on November 23, 2019 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. OU held on to win 28-24. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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WACO, TX – NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Jason White #18 of the University of Oklahoma Sooners prepares to snap the ball against the Baylor University Bears during the game on November 20, 2004 at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas. The Sooners defeated the Bears 35-0. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
WACO, TX – NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Jason White #18 of the University of Oklahoma Sooners prepares to snap the ball against the Baylor University Bears during the game on November 20, 2004 at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas. The Sooners defeated the Bears 35-0. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

No. 4 — Jason White

Two starts in 2001, 2 Starts in 2002, 14 Starts in 2003, 13 Starts in 2004

Jason White fought through incredible adversity to have two remarkable years leading the Sooners to win after win while compiling impressive stats.

White lost the starting job to Nate Hybl to begin the 2001 season but performed admirably when Hybl was injured in the historic 2001 win over Texas. Back in those days, White was much more mobile outside of the pocket and liked to take chances at times on throws down the field.

Hybl remained the starter in the next game against Kansas, but White was called on to replace him after the offense faltered. White gave the offense the spark it needed that day in Lawrence and wound up starting the next two games against Baylor and Nebraska. White tore his ACL against the Cornhuskers, ending his season.

In 2002, White won the starting gig coming out of camp, but against Alabama in just the second game of the year, he tore the ACL in his other knee, ending his season once again.

White’s story was only just beginning. In 2003, after reinventing himself as a pure pocket passer due to his injured knees, he led the Sooners on a terrific campaign and won the Heisman Trophy in the process. Limited mobility would not keep him from being named the best in the game and the Sooners would steamroll through the regular season at 12-0.

This is where the winning stopped, however, as they would fall to Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship game, before losing to LSU in the BCS National Championship game, 21-14.

After that disappointment, White returned for the 2004 season. He was once again excellent and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy along with his teammate, Adrian Peterson. The ’04 Sooners won the Big 12 Championship game over Colorado. Their only blemish on a 12-1 season was a loss in the BCS National Championship game against USC, led by Heisman winner Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush.

White wasn’t able to play in the NFL, due to his injuries, but remains a part of Sooner lore forever, and his perseverance is unquestioned.

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