Oklahoma Football: Four former Sooners make Top-50 greatest freshmen seasons ever

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Sep 1986; Norman, OK, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback #4 Jamelle Holieway in action against UCLA during the 1986 season. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) Malcolm Emmons /

No. 20 QB Jamelle Holieway

Here is what Connelly wrote about Holieway:

"20. QB Jamelle Holieway, Oklahoma (1985) With the signing of players like local star Troy Aikman, Oklahoma’s Barry Switzer began to drift from his wishbone and option ways. But when Aikman broke his leg early in 1985, Switzer put a freshman from Los Angeles behind center and won the national title with the option. Holieway rushed for 862 yards and eight scores, and while he completed only 24 passes all season, they went for 517 yards and five touchdowns."

After the leg injury to Troy Aikman, Holieway stepped into the wishbone offense and led the Sooners to a national title in 1985. Holieway was the first true freshmen to ever lead his team to a national title. Now after over 25 years, a few more quarterbacks have joined the list. The kid from Carson, California, was the offensive catalyst under Barry Switzer’s wishbone offense.

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