Big 12 Football: 50 best players of all-time
By Randy Gurzi
Sooners . Jermaine Gresham. 44. player. 815. . TE
Big 12 Football best players of all-time: 44. Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma football
Born and raised in Ardmore, Oklahoma, Jermaine Gresham was a star football and basketball player for Ardmore High School. He was practically unstoppable on the football field and stood out for their basketball team as well, but then a torn ACL made him re-think his status as a two-sport athlete.
Gresham was said to have given up basketball to focus on making it to the Oklahoma Sooners as a football player. His dream came true when they came calling — as did Oklahoma State, Miami, LSU, USC, and many more. It was also rumored that he was considering Miami due to their history of turning out pro tight ends, but his love for the hometown team, as well as the closeness to his family, won out.
As a freshman, he spent most of the season learning the ropes. He had eight catches for 161 yards and a single score but then broke out in 2007. The sophomore scored 11 touchdowns while averaging 14 yards per reception. He then nearly doubled his reception total in 2008 as well as his yardage.
He finished that season with 66 catches for 950 yards and 14 touchdowns. Gresham was named to the First-Team for not only the Big 12 but as an All-American as well.
The talented young man proved to be one of the most dynamic tight ends the Sooners have ever seen and wound up landing with the Cincinnati Bengals as a first-round pick in 2009.