Oklahoma football: Ranking the top seven linebackers in school history

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 20: The Oklahoma Sooners flag is waved from the field after a touchdown against the Iowa State Cyclones in the first quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners won 28-21. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 20: The Oklahoma Sooners flag is waved from the field after a touchdown against the Iowa State Cyclones in the first quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners won 28-21. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
5 of 8
NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 18: Oklahoma Sooners cheerleaders run across the field with Sooners flags after a 100-yard return on a blocked point-after-touchdown for two points against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 18: Oklahoma Sooners cheerleaders run across the field with Sooners flags after a 100-yard return on a blocked point-after-touchdown for two points against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

No. 4 — Daryl Hunt

Darryl Hunt hailed from Odessa, Texas. Specifically, he came from Permian High School. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because the Panthers are the team of Friday Night Lights fame in fabled West Texas. Over a decade before the events of the book and movie, Hunt roamed the field in the Permian Basin and then became a Sooner in 1975.

When Hunt left in 1978, he had demolished the school record for career tackles and his mark may never be beaten. What made No. 85 special was that he bought the whole package to the table as a linebacker.

He was productive, smart and relentless, all at the same time and his 530 career tackles speak for themselves. He was one of the key cogs in the early Barry Switzer years in Norman, and simply made every play he needed to.