Opothleyahola – Department of Oklahoma

Roderick Shoate (April 26, 1953 – October 4, 1999) was an American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was a four-time All-Big 8 Conference Player and a three-time All-American at the University of Oklahoma. He played seven seasons in the NFL for the New England Patriots, and then in the United States Football League (USFL) for the New Jersey Generals and Memphis Showboats.

Shoate, who died in 1999 after a long illness, was elected posthumously to the College Football Hall of Fame.^[1] in 2013.

Former coaches and teammates attribute Shoate's speed, attention to detail, and relentless pursuit of the other team to his success as a player.^[2]

References

1973 College Football All-America Team consensus selections
Offense	QB David Jaynes RB John Cappelletti RB Woody Green RB Kermit Johnson WR Lynn Swann TE Dave Casper OT John Hicks OT Booker Brown G Buddy Brown G Bill Yoest C Bill Wyman
Defense	DL Tony Cristiani DL John Dutton DL Dave Gallagher DL Lucious Selmon LB Randy Gradishar LB Rod Shoate LB Richard Wood DB Dave Brown DB Artimus Parker DB Randy Rhino DB Mike Townsend

1974 College Football All-America Team consensus selections
Offense	QB Steve Bartkowski RB Anthony Davis RB Archie Griffin RB Joe Washington WR Peter Demmerle TE Bennie Cunningham OT Marvin Crenshaw OT John Roush G Gerry DiNardo G Ken Huff C Steve Myers
Defense	DL Rubin Carter DL Leroy Cook DL Pat Donovan DL Mike Hartenstine DL Louie Kelcher DL Jimmy Webb DL Randy White LB Kenneth Bernich LB Woodrow Lowe LB Rod Shoate LB Richard Wood DB Dave Brown DB John Provost DB Pat Thomas

New England Patriots 1975 NFL draft selections
Russ Francis Rod Shoate Pete Cusick Allen Carter Steve Burks Steve Grogan Steve Freeman Lawrence Williams Rene Garnett Matt Kendon Condredge Holloway Joe Harvey Tom Gossom Don Clayton Kerry Marbury Myke Horton