Who's the Best #3

by HeadThief, LandThief Press Senior Editor-in-Charge


I believe the #3 has a little bit more suspense to it than our previous jersey polls. There's not a definitive leader, IMO.

• Josh Norman – RB/WR from 1998-2001 Josh wore #30, then 31, then #3 the final two years. Josh holds the record for the most passes caught in a game (11 against Dust University in 2001), 8th in most catches in a season, and tenth in most receptions in his career.
• Darrol Ray – two-time all conference DB, also was the Sooners punter his junior year in 1978, averaging 38 yards per kick. Darrol is fourth all time in career interceptions., and tied for second for a season total, with 8 in 1978.Derrick Shepard – WR for the Sooners from 1983-86. Derrick led the Sooners in catches as a sophomore in 84, and is 17th all time in receptions and 15th in reception yards (he completed his senior year 3rd on the list). Derrick returned punts in 1983, as well as the national championship year of 1985. Derrick was a graduate assistant at OU in 1998. Derrick played for 5 years in the NFL and passed away at the age of 35 from a heart attack, while serving as an assistant coach at Wyoming University.
• Reggie Smith – a work in progress, Reggie is a junior this year. He led the Sooners in kick returns as a freshman, posting the fourth highest yardage total for a season. Reggie is the preseason Big 12 Defensive POY. Reggie was an first team all conference in 2006.
• Tony Dirienzo – kicker during the early 70s. Kicked a 60 yarder against KU in 73. Fihished his career holding nearly every kicking record for the Sooners.

Other #3's included:
Terrence Brown – QB/WR during latter Gibbs era and start of Desert era. I vaguely remember him being pressed into service at the Copper Bowl, which was GG’s last game as coach.
Eric Moore – Sooner QB off and on during the black hole era of Sooner football, he wore this number in 97-98.
Jejuan Rankins – WR from 2002-05, JJR wore this number in 2003-05. JeJuan led the team in punt returns his senior year. He had the sixth highest TD reception total in Sooner history.