University of Oklahoma Athletics

Don Key Award

OU Football History & Tradition | Updated May 22, 2024

Don Key was a three-year starter for the Sooners, an All-Big 8 guard and potential All-American until cancer surgery ended his football career in 1981. Barry Switzer established the Don Key Award in 1982.

Oklahoma coaches describe the award as the highest honor an OU football player can receive while playing for the Sooners. It goes to the player who best exemplifies the many superior qualities of Key, both on the field and in the classroom.

Season Winner Position Hometown
2024 Billy Bowman Jr. DB Denton, Texas
Danny Stutsman LB Windermere, Fla.
2023 Dillon Gabriel QB Miliani, Hawai'i
Drake Stoops WR Norman, Okla.
Woodi Washington DB Murfreesboro, Tenn.
2022 Justin Broiles DB Oklahoma City, Okla.
Eric Gray RB Memphis, Tenn.
Brayden Willis TE Arlington, Texas
2021 Patrick Fields S Tulsa, Okla.
Jeremiah Hall TE/H-B Charlotte, N.C.
Bryan Mead LB Owasso, Okla.
2020 Erik Swenson OL Downers Grove, Ill.
Jon-Michael Terry OLB Tulsa, Okla.
2019 Nick Basquine WR Norman, Okla.
Neville Gallimore DL Ottawa, Ontario
2018 Carson Meier FB Tulsa, Okla.
Dru Samia OL Sacramento, Calif.
2017 Dimitri Flowers FB San Antonio, Texas
Jordan Smallwood WR Tulsa, Okla.
D.J. Ward DE Moore, Okla.
2016 Jordan Wade DL Round Rock, Texas
2015 P.L. Lindley LB Round Rock, Texas
2014 Aaron Ripkowski FB Dayton, Texas
2013 Gabe Ikard OL Oklahoma City, Okla.
Trey Millard FB Columbia, Mo.
2012 David King DE Houston, Texas
2011 Ryan Broyles WR Norman, Okla.
James Hanna TE Flower Mound, Texas
Travis Lewis LB San Antonio, Texas
Corey Wilson WR Carrollton, Texas
2010 Jeremy Beal DE Carrollton, Texas
Adrian Taylor DT Mansfield, Texas
2009 Brody Eldridge TE La Cygne, Kan.
2008 Jon Cooper C Fort Collins, Colo.
2007 Lewis Baker LB Carrollton, Texas
2006 Paul Thompson QB Leander, Texas
2005 J.D. Runnels FB Midwest City, Okla.
2004 Entire Senior Class - -
2003 Kory Klein DT Tulsa, Okla.
Renaldo Works RB Tulsa, Okla.
2002 Brad Davis OL Baton Rouge, La.
2001 Brandon Moore LB Freeport, N.Y.
2000 Entire Senior Class - -
1999 Rodney Rideau DB Midwest City, Okla.
1998 Jason Freeman TE Muskogee, Okla.
Kelly Gregg DT Edmond, Okla.
Terry White DB Houston, Texas
1997 Stephen Alexander TE Chickasha, Okla.
Martin Chase DT Lawton, Okla.
Bruce McClure C Tahlequah, Okla.
1996 James Allen RB Wynnewood, Okla.
Michael McDaniel WR Oklahoma City, Okla.
1995 Milton Overton OL Fort Worth, Texas
1994 Albert Hall WR Bay City, Texas
1993 Mike Coats LB Oklahoma City, Okla.
1992 Steve Collins QB Ennis, Texas
Reggie Barnes LB Grand Prairie, Texas
1991 Chris Wilson LB Richardson, Texas
1990 Larry Medice OT Gretna, La.
Jeff Miller OT Bakersfield, Calif.
1989 Mike Wise C Bartlesville, Okla.
1988 Anthony Phillips OG Tulsa, Okla.
1987 Darrell Reed DE Cypress, Texas
1986 Paul Migliazzo LB Kansas City, Mo.
1985 Tony Casillas DT Tulsa, Okla.
1984 Steve Sewell RB San Francisco, Calif.
1983 Rick Bryan DT Coweta, Okla.
Bob Slater DT Tulsa, Okla.
1982 Jerry Sanders LB Garland, Texas