Much of the focus surrounding the OU quarterback is still on baseball despite Heisman stage.
Much of the focus surrounding Kyler Murray still on baseball despite Heisman stage
NEW YORK — Once again, the focus on Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray at Friday’s lead-up to Saturday’s Heisman Trophy ceremony was on more than just football. Murray was again quizzed about his baseball plans, and said for the first time that while he still doesn’t know if it’s logistically possible to play both sports, that it’s something he would like to attempt. “I think if you’ve done it for as long as I have (it’s possible),” Murray said during an interview session at the New York Stock Exchange. “Obviously at the next level it’s gonna be way more difficult. But I would love to do it, yeah.” Murray once again pushed off any serious discussion over whether he was considering doing both or whether he might opt for football instead of baseball despite already signing a baseball contract worth north of $4.5 million with the Oakland A’s. “I’m just worried about playing football right now,” Murray said. “But yes, as of right now, I mean, my future’s already kind of decided.” Murray ticked off the names of the two most prominent baseball-football athletes. “Those guys are freaks,” Murray said. “They both played different positions. I’ve been familiar with Deion (Sanders) because he had a Pop Warner team in Dallas when I was growing up. I haven’t met Bo Jackson before, but he’s obviously one of the best athletes to ever touch the earth. “Yeah, I would love to be able to do both if that’s possible, but I don’t know how possible that is.” But every time he closed the door, he cracked it back open. “I’ve always been a guy with many options,” Murray said. “I try and keep ’em open as long as possible. “If that was possible, I’d definitely be open to it.” Murray was short when asked if his size would be a disadvantage if he decided to go the NFL route. “I don’t think it’d be a disadvantage at all,” Murray said. Why? “Just ’cause,” he continued. “Obviously they (experts) like the old ways — you’ve got to be tall to be successful. I’ve been around Bake (Baker Mayfield) the past three years now and what is he listed at? Six foot or 6-1, something like that. I mean, Tua’s balling. He’s not 6-3 or anything like that. Drew Brees. Russell (Wilson) can’t be much taller than me if he is, so I don’t see why it’d be an issue.” Although Murray said he’s heard the talk, he said that won’t push him any differently than if draftniks weren’t questioning his height. “I don’t need outside motivation,” Murray said. “I’m a pretty self-motivated guy. I play every game with the mission to go out and dominate, but as far as people doubting me because I’m small — I’m not the tallest guy (but) I mean it’s not easy to just come out here on the college level and do what I’m doing. So I feel like I’m having a pretty successful year.”