Boomer Sooner! Dual-Threat QB Takes Home The Prize
After transferring from Texas A&M to Oklahoma and waiting his turn behind Baker Mayfield, Murray waited his turn to dominate the college football world which culminated in him winning college football’s most prestigious award on Saturday night.
Kyler Murray was awarded the 2018 Heisman Trophy award at the 84th annual Heisman Trophy ceremony on Saturday night at the Marriot Marquis in Time Square in New York City.
The two-sport athlete beat out fellow Heisman finalists Tua Tagovailoa and Dwayne Haskins for the honor, as all three led their team to conference titles.
It was a historic year for the junior Murray, who finished with 4,053 passing yards with 40 touchdowns to seven interceptions. He also dominated on the ground, as the dual-threat quarterback rushed for 892 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, giving him 51 total on the season.
He follows his close friend Baker Mayfield’s 2017 Heisman Trophy win with a Heisman Trophy of his own as he electrified college football on Saturdays this past season with his running ability, accuracy in the pocket and on the run, and arm strength to make all the throws down field.
As great as Kyler Murray was in his first season with the Oklahoma Sooners, the 21-year-old has his sights on the MLB, but has left open the door on a possible NFL career.
The multi-sport talent was drafted by the Oakland Athletics with the ninth overall pick in this past year’s MLB amateur draft as an outfielder, and he has his commitments past this year of joining the Athletics minor league affiliates next year.
In leading the Oklahoma Sooners to a 12-1 record and Big 12 conference title, Murray’s Sooners will have the opportunity to play for a national championship as the Oklahoma Sooners will face the Alabama Crimson Tide on December 29th in the Orange Bowl.
Tua Tagovailoa, who was named the starting quarterback heading into his sophomore year, finished second behind Kyler Murray in voting.
Murray winning the award doesn’t come without controversy as Tagovailoa finished with 1,871 voting points, the most by a runner up in Heisman history. Tagovailoa also won the Nissan Heisman fan vote.
Tagovailoa was the leading engine in a perfect 13-0 regular-season for the Alabama Crimson Tide as he finished the season throwing for 3,333 passing yards with 37 touchdowns while throwing four interceptions. He also rushed for five touchdowns.
Former Heisman Trophy winners such as Barry Sanders, Doug Flutie, Ricky Williams, Charles Woodson and Eddie George were all in attendance to help enshrine in the latest member, who at the end of the day, is hard not argue was this season’s most deserving player.
Kyler Murray became the seventh Heisman Trophy winner in Oklahoma history, which ties Ohio State and Notre Dame for the most all-time.
He’s also just the third recipient of the award who will go on to play in the MLB. Both Bo Jackson and Vic Janowicz.
Was Kyler Murray your pick for the 2018 Heisman Trophy Award? Leave your comments below!