Rod Shoate

Bio

Combining the speed of a running back with exceptional strength, Rod Shoate became a dominant defensive force at perennial football powerhouse Oklahoma in the early 1970s. A two-time first-team All-American (consensus – 1973, unanimous – 1974), Shoate guided OU to a perfect 11-0 season and the National Championship in 1974, building on a 10-0-1 record the year before. The Sooners went 29-4-1 during Shoate’s career, never finishing with a national ranking lower than No. 3. He was twice named the Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year as the Sooners claimed the conference crown in each of those seasons. He led Oklahoma to a 14-0 shutout of Penn State in the 1972 Sugar Bowl. Shoate led the Sooners in tackles for three straight seasons with 420 career tackles. Picked by New England in the second round of the 1975 NFL Draft, Shoate enjoyed a six year career with the Patriots before playing two seasons in the USFL. The Spiro, Okla., native passed away on Oct. 4, 1999.

Career Highlights

• 1974 All-Cionference
• 1974 Heisman - Seventh
• 1974 Unanimous All-America
• 1973 All-Conference
• 1973 Consensus All-America
• 1972 All-Conference