The Associated Press

Oklahoma quarterback Jason White was named The Associated Press College Player of the Year Wednesday. (Associated Press photo)

NORMAN, Okla. - Jason White spent much of the night in darkness, staring at his bedroom ceiling, his swollen right knee slightly elevated.

It was Sept. 7, 2002, hours after Oklahoma's quarterback crumpled to the turf against Alabama with a torn knee ligament. He suffered the same injury in his other knee the year before. Unable to sleep, he feared his career was over before it really began.

Yet White did return - and produced a remarkable comeback. He beat out three quarterbacks for the starting job, put Oklahoma in the Bowl Championship Series title game and was honored as The Associated Press College Player of the Year.

"During my rehab, there were people saying that there was no way that I was going to come back or be as good as I was," said White, the Big 12 offensive player of the year.

"That really drove me and ignited me this season."

He emerged as the nation's top-rated passer, leading the third-ranked Sooners (12-1) to a Sugar Bowl berth against No. 2 LSU (12-1) on Jan. 4.

White, a Heisman Trophy finalist, received 27 votes in balloting Wednesday by the panel of sports writers and broadcasters on the AP college football poll.

Pittsburgh receiver Larry Fitzgerald was second with 19 votes, followed by Mississippi quarterback Eli Manning (3), Kansas State running back Darren Sproles (3), Michigan running back Chris Perry (2), USC quarterback Matt Leinart (1) and USC receiver Mike Williams (1).

The nation's top-rated passer was honored for the second straight season; Iowa's Brad Banks won in 2002. White also is the second OU quarterback to win in the past four years, after Josh Heupel in 2000.

White shined from the start of his comeback. Indeed, his statistics probably would have been gaudier if Stoops hadn't pulled him from some blowouts.

Robbed of much of his speed, White excelled by staying in the pocket. He completed 64 percent of his passes for 3,744 yards, 40 TDs and eight interceptions.

White's recovery began with reconstructive surgery. He spent up to four hours a day working out, then more hours alone at night watching game tapes on a VCR he borrowed from the football office.

"It's pretty lonely," White said.

In one national publication, an opposing coach was quoted as saying Oklahoma had "recruited past White." White clipped that out and taped it onto a bedroom wall.

His first encouragement came last summer when Stoops ended a four-way competition by naming White the starter.

White made the decision look brilliant.

"His emergence as a great, great football player is the story of college football," Stoops said. "The biggest difference in our team is that Jason White is the quarterback. It ought to be pretty obvious."