With exactly 81 days remaining until Oklahoma football returns, our countdown turns to the greatest player to ever wear No. 81 in the Crimson and Cream: Mark Andrews.
Before becoming an NFL All-Pro and one of the premier tight ends in professional football, Andrews developed into a matchup nightmare in Norman, rewriting the Oklahoma record book and helping lead one of the most explosive offenses in school history.
The number 81 has never looked better.
From Wide Receiver to Sooner Legend
When Andrews arrived from Scottsdale, Arizona, he came to Oklahoma as a wide receiver. The coaching staff quickly recognized that his size, athleticism, and receiving ability made him the perfect fit at tight end.
The position switch changed everything.
Over the next three seasons, Andrews became one of Baker Mayfield’s favorite targets and one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in college football.
By the time he left Norman after the 2017 season, he had established himself as the greatest tight end in program history.
A Record-Setting Career
Andrews’ numbers still stand among the finest ever produced by an Oklahoma tight end.
Career Statistics
- 112 receptions
- 1,765 receiving yards
- 22 touchdown catches (most by a tight end in OU history)
By Season
2015
- 19 receptions
- 318 yards
- 7 touchdowns
2016
- 31 receptions
- 489 yards
- 7 touchdowns
2017
- 62 receptions
- 958 yards
- 8 touchdowns
His final season was one of the greatest ever by a Sooner tight end. Andrews earned unanimous All-American honors while helping Oklahoma capture another Big 12 championship and reach the College Football Playoff.
Hardware to Match the Production
Andrews’ trophy case reflects just how dominant he became.
2017 Mackey Award Winner — Nation’s Best Tight End
2017 Unanimous All-American
Three-Time First-Team All-Big 12 Selection
22 Career Touchdowns — Second most by an Oklahoma Tight End (Jermaine Gresham had 26)
His ability to stretch defenses vertically created problems few opponents could solve. Linebackers were too slow, and defensive backs were too small.
Simply put, he was a cheat code.
A Fun Connection to No. 81
The number 81 followed Andrews long before he arrived in Norman.
During his junior season in high school in Arizona, he caught exactly 81 passes. He kept the same number at Oklahoma and turned it into one of the most recognizable jerseys in recent Sooners history.
Sundays Were Waiting
Andrews’ dominance at Oklahoma translated directly to the NFL. After declaring early for the draft, he became a third-round selection and has since developed into an All-Pro and one of the league’s elite tight ends.
But before all the Pro Bowls and playoff runs, he was making history inside Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
And with 81 days left until kickoff, there’s no better player to celebrate than the man who made No. 81 legendary.
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