Barry Sanders: The Oklahoma State Years
Stillwater, Oklahoma, is home to some of the greatest sports legends in history, and no name shines brighter than Barry Sanders. Known for his electrifying speed and unmatched agility, Sanders left an indelible mark on Oklahoma State University (OSU) and the world of college football. This article explores Sanders' remarkable college career, his achievements, and his enduring legacy at Oklahoma State.
Early Life and High School Career
Barry Sanders was born on July 16, 1968, in Wichita, Kansas, the seventh of eleven children to William and Shirley Sanders. His father worked as a roofer and carpenter, while his mother worked as a homemaker for the Sanders family. Sanders and two of his brothers worked as roofers' assistants to his father, instilling in him a strong work ethic from a young age.
Although Barry dreamed of playing RB while he attended Wichita North High School, he only played defensive back most of his high school career. In 1985 Coach B took over and in the fourth game, of his senior season, he was moved over to the running back position that he is known for today. In the final seven games of the season, he rushed for 1,417 yards and averaged 10.2 yards per carry, which earned him all-state honors. However, he was overlooked by most college recruiters and his only scholarship offers were from Emporia State, Tulsa and Oklahoma State.
Joining Oklahoma State University
Sanders chose the Cowboys and showed immediate promise as a 1986 freshman, rushing for 325 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 23.7 yards on kick returns. He enrolled at Oklahoma State University in 1986, where he played for the Oklahoma State Cowboys and wore the No. 21 jersey. His father was similarly frustrated because Oklahoma State was a conference rival of the Oklahoma Sooners, whom William was a fan of. A friend of Sanders told him that William said Sanders had chosen to play at Oklahoma State "in order to hide"; Sanders would be the backup of Heisman candidate Thurman Thomas, as opposed to playing at a school where he would be the starting running back.
Backing Up Thurman Thomas
During his first two years, he backed up future all-pro running back Thurman Thomas at running back. As a 1987 sophomore, he backed up future all-pro running back Thurman Thomas, rushing for 603 yards and nine touchdowns while leading the nation in kickoff returns with an average of 31.6 (to go with two return touchdowns). In 1986, Sanders played in eight games and rushed for 325 rushing yards on 74 rushing attempts, with two rushing touchdowns. In 1987, he led the nation in yards per kickoff return (31.6), while rushing for 603 yards and scoring nine rushing touchdowns, catching four passes for 58 receiving yards and a touchdown, and scoring two touchdowns from 29 total special teams returns. He was named a second-team College Football All-American as a return specialist. While still a backup to Thomas, he received notable attention from his opponents.
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The Historic 1988 Season
With Thomas off to the NFL, Sanders took over the starting running back spot in 1988 and proceeded to crank out a season for the ages. In 1988, in what is considered one of the greatest individual seasons in college football history, Sanders became the first player to open two consecutive seasons with a 100-yard kickoff return. He led the nation by averaging 7.6 yards per attempt and over 200 yards per game, including rushing for over 300 yards in four games. Despite his massive workload of 344 attempts, Sanders was still used as the team's punt and kickoff returner, adding another 516 yards on special teams. He set 36 NCAA records that season, including, 7.6 yards per carry, over 320 total yards per game, 2,628 yards rushing, 3,248 total yards, 234 points, and 39 touchdowns in only eleven games. These totals don't include the five touch downs and 225 yards he had in the 1988 Holiday Bowl.
During that season, he delivered one of the most extraordinary performances in college football history, amassing 2,628 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns in 11 regular-season games. Including bowl game stats, his total reached 2,850 yards and 44 touchdowns-both still NCAA records.
Sanders' Heisman-winning season is often referred to as one of the greatest single seasons in college football. In addition to his rushing yardage, he led the nation in all-purpose yards with 3,250, showcasing his versatility as a runner, receiver, and return specialist. His dazzling runs and relentless drive captivated fans and cemented OSU’s place in the national spotlight.
Winning the Heisman Trophy
Sanders learned of his Heisman Trophy win while he was with the team in Tokyo, Japan preparing to face Texas Tech in the Coca-Cola Classic. He accepted the award via satellite having garnered 559 first-place votes for 1,878 points. At the end of the season Barry was awarded the 1988 Heisman Trophy, which he accepted from Japan, becoming the first Heisman winner to rush for 225 yards and 5 TDs the day he won the trophy! Sanders won Oklahoma State’s first Heisman following what was arguably the greatest season in the trophy’s history.
Leaving College Early
Sanders, a college junior, was originally ineligible for the NFL draft. However, Oklahoma State had been under investigation by the NCAA for recruiting violations. On the first day of 1989, the NCAA placed the Cowboys on four years' probation. If Sanders had remained as a Cowboy for his senior season, his games would not have been televised live, and he would not be able to play in a bowl game. He chose to skip his senior season in college and was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the third pick of the 1989 NFL Draft.
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NFL Career
After his unprecedented senior season, Sanders became the third pick of the 1989 NFL draft, joining the roster of the Detroit Lions after signing a five-year, $9.5-million deal (including a $2.1-million signing bonus). As a rookie in 1989, Sanders started 13 out of a possible 16 games for the Lions. In his first career professional game against the Phoenix Cardinals on September 10, Sanders ran for 71 yards on nine attempts and scored a rushing touchdown in the 16-13 loss. Despite being plagued by injuries, his rookie season saw Sanders rack up 1,470 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns - the best running back performance in Lions franchise history.
Over the course of this and his following nine NFL seasons, Sanders set several NFL records, several of which he still holds including: most seasons with 1,500 or more rushing yards; consecutive games with 100 or more rushing yards; number of games with more than 150 rushing yards; and number of games with more than 150 scrimmage yards. He played ten Pro Bowl seasons in the NFL, all for the Lions, averaging over 1,500 rushing yards per season. He won the NFL's Most Valuable Player award in 1993 and also in 1997, rushing for 2,053 yards and eleven touchdowns that year. Barry left the game just 1,457 yards short of passing legend Walter Payton to become first on the NFL All-Time list. He still holds over ten NFL records, including most consecutive seasons with 1,000+ rushing yards, most consecutive games with 100+ yards, most games with 150+ yards rushing.
Legacy and Honors
Barry Sanders' legacy extends far beyond the football field. His accomplishments have become a part of Stillwater’s rich history and culture. Barry was inducted to both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004. In 2020, he was named to the NFL All-Time Team as one of its greatest "100 Hundred Players" and is listed at number nine on College Football's "150 Greatest Players" list.
Visitors to Stillwater can explore the OSU campus, where his name is celebrated as one of the greatest athletes in college football history. To fully experience the legacy of Barry Sanders, plan a visit to Stillwater. Start with the OSU campus and its Heritage Hall Museum, where you can learn more about the history of Oklahoma State's outstanding athletic programs dating back to the late 1800s. Stop by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum to explore more of OSU’s rich athletic history.
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