Comparisons between Bradford ,White already being made

NORMAN — Thanks to his blistering beginning, reporters repeatedly have asked Oklahoma football coaches and players to compare freshman quarterback Sam Bradford to Heisman winner Jason White.

But long before anyone knew Bradford could play, someone else noticed a resemblance.

"I've said this before, last year seeing Sam throw in practice, I saw a lot of similarities in our throwing,” White said. "It was weird to see that, the same touch on the ball, things of that nature.

"I can see why people are comparing our throwing motion and our accuracy.”

So far, Bradford has exceeded expectations of the most optimistic observers, even spurring ESPN college football analyst Mark May to declare that Bradford would go down as the greatest quarterback to play for coach Bob Stoops.

But after two games, it isn't time for Bradford's bronze statue just yet.

White led OU to two national championship appearances and won the Heisman Trophy in 2003 after tossing a school-record 40 TDs.

Still, it's hard to ignore similarities between Bradford and White on the field.

In Bradford's debut two weeks ago against North Texas, he completed 21 of 23 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns.

In White's 2003 debut — coming off his second knee surgery — against North Texas, he completed 23 of 25 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns.

White is the school-record holder for season completion percentage at 65 percent, set in 2004.

Bradford is connecting on 83 percent of his passes and could seriously threaten White's mark.

Already, Bradford broke White's school record for consecutive completions, connecting on 22 straight passes.

"It's good to see, and hopefully it happens that Sam continues to be accurate with the ball,” White said.

"One thing he does that I think I did is he hits the receiver in stride.

"He gives the receiver an opportunity to run with the ball, and that's one of the most important parts of being a quarterback.”

To coaches and players, however, their similarities don't stop there.

Mentally, Bradford is also drawing comparisons to White.

"Sam's ability to process information for a young guy is really good,” offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. "He handles things mentally like Jason did in 2003 and 2004.”

Senior tight end Joe Jon Finley, the only Sooner to catch passes from both White and Bradford, notices a likeness in confidence.

"The thing about Jason White, he knew the offense so well, he knew the read before the snap,” Finley said. "So you knew everyone trusted him to make the right decision with all that confidence.

"We'll see how Sam pans out in his career, but he's got a lot of confidence, too.”

The paths of White and Bradford to OU also are similar.

Both attended Oklahoma high schools.

Both starred for their basketball teams.

Both were all-state quarterbacks.

"You can see a lot of the same characteristics in us.” White said. "I'm hoping that continues.”