POSITION OUTLOOK: QUARTERBACKS

Starter

Kyler Murray (RJr., 5-10, 195) OR Austin Kendall (RSo., 6-2, 219)

Key backups

Tanner Mordecai (Fr., 6-2, 206)

Tanner Schafer (RSo., 6-3, 193)

This season: The Sooners have to go about replacing one of the most prolific quarterbacks in NCAA history in Baker Mayfield. The cupboard definitely isn’t bare, but there’s plenty of uncertainty there, with Murray and Kendall going down to the wire to earn the starting job. Murray is widely considered to be the favorite, though Kendall remains in contention going into the last two weeks before the season starts. Both have spent a season as Mayfield’s backup, Murray last season and Kendall in 2016. Kendall is known more for his arm, though coach

Lincoln Riley has talked recently about Kendall also being a threat with his legs. Murray, though, might be the fastest player in college football.

The future: If Murray is the starter, it figures to be for just one season, as a professional baseball career awaits. Either way, Kendall figures to be the favorite to start next season, with Mordecai and high school senior Spencer Rattler, who has been committed to the Sooners for more than a year, battling him for the job. Rattler is particularly intriguing, as he’s a five-star prospect ranked as the top overall quarterback in the 2019 class. It’s been a long time since a freshman has seen significant time at quarterback for the Sooners, however.