Baker Mayfield took possibilities for a walk-on to a new extreme, but he's not the only Oklahoma Sooner to become great after getting to OU as a walk-on.
Although walk-ons are a dying breed, they have helped build Oklahoma into the blue-blood program it is, especially since 2000, as Bob Stoops and Lincoln Riley both embraced giving walk-ons a chance. Brent Venables has also benefited from walk-ons already.
When listing great walk-ons from Oklahoma, Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield is the obvious top choice and too easy, but who else has went from a longshot to a star for the Sooners during the 21st century?
Best Sooners since 2000 that started their careers as walk-ons
Wide receiver Mark Bradley went from walk-on to second-round NFL Draft pick. Before transferring was even cool, Bradley came from Arkansas-Pine Bluff to OU ahead of the 2003 season, and for two years, he shined as a receiver and on special teams before doing the same in the NFL.
After a battle with the NCAA, this walk-on story isn't over yet. Owen Heinecke walked onto Oklahoma's football team in 2022 after starting his college journey as a lacrosse player at Ohio State. He got little to no playing time for three years before breaking out in 2025 as an All-SEC Second-Team honoree at linebacker.
If Heinecke's final OU season in 2026 is close to the same level as last season, then he could be considered the clear No. 2 greatest walk-on in Sooners history behind Baker Mayfield and the best from the defensive side of the ball.
Read more: Brian Bosworth sees something special brewing in Owen Heinecke at Oklahoma
Walking onto Bob Stoops' OU squad, Aaron Ripkowski's career numbers don't pop, but his blocking at fullback (remember that position?) was vital in the Sooners' success and he was Second-Team All-Big 12 in 2014. He was also worthy enough to win the Don Key Award in 2014, which is the highest honor an OU player can get.
Ripkowski ended up being a sixth-round pick in 2015 before a five-year NFL career, most of which was spent with the Green Bay Packers.
Even with a legendary dad and last name, Drake Stoops still had to earn his way at Oklahoma as an undersized walk-on before getting a scholarship from Lincoln Riley before the 2021 season. Listed at 5-foot-10, Stoops finished his OU career with 31 starts while playing alongside some elite talent at his position and was named All-Big 12 First Team in 2023. He was also a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is given to the best player whose career started as a walk-on.
Dominique Whaley could have been an even more unbelievable story if not for injuries. After transferring from NAIA Langston as a walk-on, Whaley exploded onto the scene in 2011 and took over as the Sooners' lead back before breaking his ankle late in the season. He still finished the shortened campaign with 627 rushing yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards a carry. However, Whaley never caught fire again after that devastating injury.
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