Three Oklahoma Sooners and Three Dallas Cowboys Honored with Prestigious Golfweek All-America Recognition in 2025 National Selection
In a celebration of excellence on the golf course, three Oklahoma Sooners and three Dallas Cowboys have earned coveted spots on the 2025 Golfweek All-America teams, solidifying their reputations as standout performers in collegiate and professional circles. The honor reflects a blend of elite athletic achievement and unwavering commitment to their respective programs. While the Cowboys’ involvement in All-America honors might raise eyebrows for fans who equate the franchise exclusively with football, it reflects a deeper, growing interest in golf among former and current athletes tied to the team—highlighting just how multifaceted success in sports can be.
For the Oklahoma Sooners, a tradition-rich golf program continues to cement its place among the nation’s elite. The Sooners, guided by head coach Ryan Hybl, have turned Norman, Oklahoma into a destination for aspiring golf professionals. This year’s All-America selections affirm the team’s reputation for producing top-tier talent. The three honorees represent a mix of experience and youthful promise, all of whom made major impacts during the 2024–25 collegiate season and helped push the Sooners deep into postseason contention.
Among the headliners is senior standout Jackson Dowell, whose consistency and leadership have made him one of the most respected figures in college golf. Dowell has been a mainstay in the Sooners’ lineup for the past few seasons, and his final campaign was nothing short of spectacular. He notched top-10 finishes in eight of the Sooners’ 11 events, led the team in scoring average, and consistently performed under pressure against the nation’s toughest competition. His All-America selection is a fitting capstone to a brilliant collegiate career, one that will likely continue on the professional stage in the coming months.
Joining Dowell is sophomore sensation Jace Jensen, who quickly ascended from a promising recruit to one of the most feared young players in the Big 12. Jensen’s explosive style of play, paired with a fearless mentality, earned him several top-five finishes throughout the season, including a clutch performance at the NCAA Regional, where he birdied the final hole to secure Oklahoma’s advancement. His All-America nod not only celebrates his individual success but also marks him as one of the rising stars in college golf nationally. With at least two more years of eligibility, Jensen’s presence in Norman signals a bright future for the program.
Rounding out the trio of Sooners is graduate transfer Alejandro Diaz, whose journey to Oklahoma brought maturity and experience to the roster. After beginning his career at a mid-major program, Diaz found new life with the Sooners, adapting quickly to the increased competition and emerging as a critical piece of the team’s postseason push. His tactical precision and calm demeanor under pressure allowed him to flourish in high-stakes moments, particularly during the Big 12 Championship, where he played a key role in Oklahoma’s team title. Diaz’s selection as an All-American is a testament to his perseverance and growth, and it reinforces Oklahoma’s success in finding and developing talent from all avenues.
On the professional side, the Dallas Cowboys’ connection to the Golfweek All-America list might come as a surprise to some, but it reflects the franchise’s increasingly deep ties to the game of golf. All three honorees associated with the Cowboys are former or current players who have made significant strides in competitive golf circuits. Their inclusion underscores a trend among high-profile athletes who transition into golf after careers in other sports, often bringing the same drive and intensity that once defined them on the gridiron.
Leading the trio is former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, whose post-NFL career in golf has been well-documented and widely respected. Romo, who has competed in multiple PGA Tour events and qualified for several USGA amateur tournaments, continues to gain recognition for his golf prowess. His selection as a Golfweek All-American is rooted in his performances on the celebrity and amateur golf circuits, where he claimed two titles over the past year and consistently placed among the top competitors. Known for his smooth swing and analytical approach, Romo has become a legitimate force in amateur golf, demonstrating that his talents extend far beyond the football field.
Also earning honors is linebacker Micah Parsons, whose offseason hobby has transformed into a serious competitive pursuit. While still an active NFL player, Parsons has devoted significant time to sharpening his golf game, regularly competing in charity tournaments and semi-professional events. His physical strength, coordination, and relentless work ethic have translated surprisingly well to the links. Golfweek cited his rapid improvement and growing presence in the amateur golf scene as reasons for his All-America nod. For Parsons, golf began as a means of relaxation, but it has quickly become a competitive outlet where he can showcase yet another dimension of his athletic identity.
The third Cowboys-linked honoree is tight end Jason Witten, a longtime team captain who has embraced golf in retirement. Witten’s presence in the amateur golf world has grown steadily over the past few years, especially in veteran tournaments and team-based charity events. His leadership and professionalism have earned him admiration not only from fellow athletes but from the broader golfing community. Witten’s disciplined approach and methodical style have allowed him to post competitive scores, and his dedication to the game has made him a mentor for younger athletes transitioning into golf. His All-America selection, while unconventional, reflects the increasing crossover between elite football athletes and the game of golf.
The dual recognition of both collegiate stars and athlete-turned-golfers in the Golfweek All-America selections represents a convergence of passion, skill, and ambition. For the Oklahoma Sooners, the trio of Dowell, Jensen, and Diaz reflects a strong developmental culture, where raw talent is polished into national-level excellence. Their accomplishments point to a larger trend in college golf, where programs like Oklahoma continue to churn out players capable of making immediate impacts on the professional scene. Hybl’s leadership and the support structure in Norman have made it one of the most attractive destinations for recruits, a reputation only further enhanced by this year’s accolades.
For the Dallas Cowboys organization, the golf honors showcase the diverse athletic pursuits of their current and former athletes. While football remains their primary identity, the franchise has quietly encouraged wellness, versatility, and post-career development—values that align perfectly with golf’s physical and mental demands. Romo’s journey from quarterback to golf standout is well known, but seeing Parsons and Witten follow suit reflects a broader culture of competitive excellence that transcends the football field. Their recognition also highlights the evolving nature of athletic identity, where success is no longer confined to a single sport.
The broader impact of the Golfweek All-America selections goes beyond trophies or personal accolades. For the Oklahoma golf program, it serves as a recruiting tool and a badge of honor. Prospects across the country see Norman as a launchpad for greatness, and current players are further motivated by the precedent set by this year’s honorees. For the Dallas Cowboys and the broader NFL landscape, the inclusion of Romo, Parsons, and Witten demonstrates that excellence in golf is not limited by age or background. It also adds a new dimension to the athlete lifestyle—where one’s competitive spirit can evolve, adapt, and thrive long after the stadium lights dim.
As the golf world continues to evolve, stories like these—of young collegiate stars rising to the top and former football giants finding new life on the fairway—capture the imagination and redefine what it means to be an All-American. Whether it’s Jackson Dowell threading an iron shot into a tucked pin at Pebble Beach, or Tony Romo calmly sinking a birdie putt with fans watching in Tahoe, the image is the same: elite competitors doing what they do best—rising to the occasion, regardless of the stage. For both the Oklahoma Sooners and the Dallas Cowboys, the 2025 Golfweek All-America honors are more than a personal accolade. They are a statement. A celebration. A reminder that greatness knows no bounds—and it certainly doesn’t stop at the edge of a football field.
