Oklahoma football: Report: Kyler Murray expected to enter NFL draft
Kyler Murray will try his hand at the NFL, according to at least one source.
The San Fransicsco Chronicle reported late last night that the Oakland Athletics are expecting Kyler Murray – the team’s first-round draft pick and No. 9 overall in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft – to throw his hat in the ring at some point before the Jan. 14 deadline.
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Dean Blevins, a reporter in Oklahoma City, reported a similar story last night.
I've got all the KM details .. + some info you prolly don't know about, next in sports. The Oakland A's (& agent Scott Boras) have struck out with former #Sooners QB @TheKylerMurray, who is reportedly tonight, expecting to enter the NFL draft. @news9
— Dean Blevins (@DeanBlevins) January 10, 2019
This report comes after a couple of credible people gave Sooner fans a glimmer of hope they would see Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray return to Norman for his senior season. A deceleration for the draft would shut the door on that possibility for all intents and purposes.
ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay and Chris Mortensen all report several NFL teams would be interested in taking Kyler Murray in the first round should he decide to come out, which could make him the second-straight OU quarterback to not only win the Heisman, but become a first-round pick after Baker Mayfield went No. 1 overall in last year’s draft.
Kyler Murray turned his one season as the starter at Oklahoma into a personal showcase, leading the Sooners to a 12-2 record and the College Football Playoff while breaking several of the records set by his predecessor in Mayfield.
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The Sooners will have to break in a new quarterback for the third-straight year should these reports hold up. Austin Kendall would be the early favorite after reportedly taking Kyler Murray to the brink for the starting job in a position battle last year. Redshirt freshman Tanner Mordecai will also get a look at the position. Spencer Rattler, the No. 1 dual threat quarterback in the 2019 class according to Rivals and 247 sports, arrives to Norman in the summer and could make a late push for the job as well.