Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: Ranking the top seven wide receivers in Sooner history

By Aaron Gelvin

DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 12: CeeDee Lamb #2 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs for a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in the third quarter during the 2019 AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl on October 12, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 12: CeeDee Lamb #2 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs for a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in the third quarter during the 2019 AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl on October 12, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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NORMAN, OK – NOVEMBER 21: Sterling Shepard #3 of the Oklahoma Sooners makes a touchdown pass reception against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 21, 2015 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – NOVEMBER 21: Sterling Shepard #3 of the Oklahoma Sooners makes a touchdown pass reception against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 21, 2015 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

No. 5–Sterling Shepard

Sterling Shepard has one of the most heartwarming stories in OU football history. As the son of Derrick Shepard, a great wide receiver at OU in his own right in the 1980s, Sterling was around the program as a child and dreamed of one day playing on Owen Field.

After his father’s tragic death in 1999, Sterling continued to play football and was a standout at the high school level. Bob Stoops made sure that the young legacy Shepard wouldn’t have to travel far to play his college ball and that he would get to follow in Derrick’s steps in the No. 3 jersey.

On the field, Shepard contributed right away as a freshman in 2012, and was the top receiver in the OU offense by 2014. His best season was his last, in 2015. That season, he hauled in 11 touchdowns on nearly 1,300 yards receiving.

He was the number one option in the passing game for an offense that was much improved from its numbers the previous few years and a team that made the College Football Playoff. He had a total of 27 touchdowns in crimson and cream. He wasn’t the biggest or fastest player on this list, but he was always a reliable target and embodied the culture of OU football.

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