Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford (14) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla. on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)

Oklahoma State quarterback Sam Bradford throws under pressure from Oklahoma State defender Patrick Lavine (4) in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Head coach Bob Stoops is cautious about comparing current players to outstanding players in the past.

Most good coaches are.

But he made an exception to that rule this week when he said sophomore quarterback Sam Bradford is the best he’s coached at OU.

“At this point, I think I would have been asked that too early in times past when maybe is he the best we’ve had, and I don’t think there’s any question now,” Stoops said. “What Jason White was able to do was absolutely incredible with his circumstances and what he fought through, and Josh Heupel, what he was able to do in a short period of time here, but what this guy has done for two straight years now [is exceptional].”

White won the 2003 Heisman Trophy, and Heupel — now OU’s quarterbacks coach — guided the Sooners to the 2000 National Championship and was the runner-up in the Heisman Trophy campaign that year.

Bradford has now won 2008 Big 12 offensive player of the year and might be on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy.

“Obviously, he’s one of the elite players in the country and I certainly feel that he’s deserving of [offensive player of the year] the way he has catapulted our offense,” Heupel said.

Stoops marveled at Bradford’s consistency and how rarely he makes mistakes.

“It’s just uncanny how accurate he is, how consistent he is, and I have to ask you ‘Have you seen a bad ball’?” Stoops said. “It’s just amazing that he has that kind of ability.”

Stoops added that Bradford’s frame has a lot to do with it.

“He’s got that little extra size and more size than the other guys we’ve had,” Stoops said. “He’s got pocket presence, and he’s a better athlete as people see. He comes out of the pocket [more] than he’s ever given credit for, and he’s got that touch and precision to put the ball in different places, different ways whether it’s fast, whether it’s lobbed over people.”

Stoops specifically pointed out a 3rd and 15 pass on the first drive of the Bedlam game that demonstrated Bradford’s precision throwing from the pocket.

“That ball he threw to Juaquin Iglesias the third play of the game, he drops that thing right over two guys, right in his hands, you know, and we dropped it, but that couldn’t have been any better,” Stoops said.

That very ability to put the ball on the money consistently has been a major reason Bradford has thrown for more than 7,000 yards and 82 touchdowns in his first two seasons as quarterback for OU, shattering former Florida quarterback Rex Grossman’s record of 55 touchdowns.

This year, he has thrown for nearly 4,100 yards and 46 touchdowns, only tossing six interceptions with two games to go in the season.

That has given him a 190.97 quarterback rating.

When told about Stoops’ comparisons, Bradford was humbled, but responded with his constant competitive nature.

“That’s a huge compliment to hear that; it means a lot,” Bradford said. “But there are still a lot of things that we need to accomplish this season. Obviously, Coach Heupel was able to win a national championship. Jason White was able to play in a couple of national championships. I feel like I have yet to do that, so there are a lot of things that I need to do before I can be considered with those guys.”

When Heupel heard Stoops’ comments, he briefly joked about them before becoming serious. He then agreed with Stoops’ thoughts.

“Uh, I didn’t know that he said that; his memory must not be real good,” Heupel said. “I would certainly echo those sentiments.”

Bradford and the Sooners will look to beat Missouri for the third time in two seasons when they take the field Saturday in the Big 12 Championship.