Oklahoma football: Eight former Sooners selected for NFL Pro Bowl

Eight former Oklahoma football players will be participating in the 2023 NFL Pro Bowl.

The eight former Sooners are the second most of any one college team who will be playing in this year’s Pro Bowl to be held Feb. 5 in Las Vegas. Alabama has 11 former players who will be participating. The game will be played at Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL Las Vegas Raiders.

This will be the most former OU players to participate in a Pro Bowl. The list of Sooners includes offensive lineman Trent Williams (San Francisco 49ers), Lane Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles) and Orlando Brown and Creed Humphrey (both of the Kansas City Chiefs).

Former OU quarterback Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles) is a leading candidate for NFL Most Valuable Player this season. Tight end Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens), wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and punter Tress Way (Washington Commanders) also will participate in the annual all-pro contest.

The format of the game is being changed this year. The game is being reworked to include multiple skills competitions and a non-contact flag football game. The game also will include a series of other events leading up to what could now be called the Pro Bowl Games.

All eight former OU stars are having stellar NFL seasons. Aside from Hurts’ MVP-caliber season, with nearly 3,500 passing yards and 22 touchdowns and another 750 yards on the ground with 13 rushing TDs, Andrews and Lamb are among the league leaders in receiving. Lamb has 81 catches for 1,087 yards and six touchdowns; Andrews has logged 61 receptions for 702 yards and five touchdowns.

The four offensive linemen from OU all play for playoff teams, and Way night be the best punter in the NFL this year, averaging 47 yards per punt.

All in all, Oklahoma football is well represented in this year’s Pro Bowl events