OU makes Murray No. 1
Former Texas A&M QB named starter for No. 7 Sooners
NORMAN, Okla. — Kyler Murray has been picked as No. 7 Oklahoma’s starting quarterback in the season opener Sept. 1 against Florida Atlantic.
Murray transferred to Oklahoma from Texas A&M on Dec. 24, 2015 before sitting out a year.
“This is a moment, since I started playing, I’ve been working for this,” Murray said. “For me to be named the starting quarterback is obviously a huge honor. I know the standard of the position at this university, so it’s my job to hold it.”
Oakland took Murray with the ninth pick in the Major League Baseball draft in June. Murray signed for nearly $5 million, yet the sides agreed that he could return to school and play football this season.
He was the backup to Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield last season and completed 18 of 21 passes for 359 yards and three without an interception. He also ran 14 times for 142 yards, including a 66-yard dash on the first play against West Virginia.
Austin Kendall was the backup in 2016 before redshirting last year. Murray and Kendall battled throughout the spring for the position, and no clearcut leader was established until fall camp.
“It was very close,” Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley said. “It stayed that way. It was one of the closest that I’ve been involved with. They both did a tremendous job. At the end of the day, only one can do it.”
Riley said Murray, best known for his blazing speed, throws the ball well, too. Because of that versatility, Riley expects similar production to last year, when the Sooners led the nation in total offense.
“It starts with the ability to lead, and it starts with the ability to throw the football,” Riley said. “Everything else is all well and good. Our guys are going to have to be able to do that. He’s going to get his chance. People can say this or that. He’ll get his chance to show what he can do.”
Murray hasn’t played regularly since his freshman year at Texas A&M in 2015, so he’s eager to get on the field.
“I think I’ve been playing the best football of my life these past couple months, as of late, growing from freshman year at A&M until now. “he said. “Being with coach Riley has obviously helped me a lot. Sitting behind Baker helped me a lot. And now it’s time to go.”
Odds and ends
Wisconsin WR Danny Davis has been suspended for the first two games of the season. Coach Paul Chryst announced the suspension two days after teammate Quintez Cephus was charged with felony sexual assault. Davis is Cephus’ roommate and was identified in a criminal complaint filed against Cephus. Davis was not charged. … Nihym Anderson, a freshman linebacker at Maryland, has been granted a release to transfer.