Glenn Coleman
Dec 29, 2023 - 02:20

End of era Oklahoma football Drake Stoops plays last game Sooner

Drake Stoops, son of legendary Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, will end his college football career at the 2023 Valero Alamo Bowl.

The 2023 Valero Alamo Bowl marks the end of an era for the Oklahoma Sooners football program, as it will be the last time a Stoops will be on the sideline. Drake Stoops, also known as 'Bob's Boy,' is the son of Bob Stoops, the coach with the most wins in Oklahoma's history. Despite receiving scholarship offers from several schools, Drake chose to walk on for the Sooners in 2018, following in his father's footsteps.

In his first game as a true freshman walk-on, Stoops made history by catching two passes for 16 yards in the season opener against Florida Atlantic. He continued to make a name for himself, playing in all games as a reserve receiver and punt returner in 2019, and earning an athletics scholarship after the 2021 spring game.

During his final season in 2023, Stoops started 12 games and finished the regular season with 78 receptions for 880 yards and 10 touchdowns. He played a critical role in helping the Sooners find the end zone and was a finalist for the prestigious Burlsworth Trophy, which recognizes outstanding football players who began their careers as walk-ons.

Now, as he prepares to play in the 2023 Valero Alamo Bowl, Stoops will be suiting up for the Sooners for the final time before shifting his focus to the NFL draft.

In addition to Drake's accomplishments, his father, Bob Stoops, also made a significant impact on the Oklahoma football program. When Bob Stoops took over as head coach in 1999, the Sooners had not had a winning record for five years. In his first year, he led the team to seven wins and their first bowl appearance since 1994. Over his 18-year tenure, Stoops achieved a record of 191-48, winning a national championship and all four BCS bowl games. He retired in 2016 as a two-time national coach of the year and six-time Big 12 Coach of the Year.

The upcoming 2023 Valero Alamo Bowl will not only mark the end of an era for the Stoops family's involvement in the Oklahoma football program but also a celebration of their contributions and legacy. It will be a bittersweet moment for the Sooners and their fans as they bid farewell to a family that has left an indelible mark on the program.