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Oklahoma football: A Sooner QB in Heisman hunt again in 2019

By Chip Rouse

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners congratulates Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide after Alabama Crimson Tide defeat the Oklahoma Sooners 45-34 to win the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners congratulates Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide after Alabama Crimson Tide defeat the Oklahoma Sooners 45-34 to win the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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An Oklahoma football quarterback is high on the Heisman odds chart again in 2019. So what else is new?

For two consecutive seasons, a quarterback who transferred into the Sooner football program has claimed college football’s most prestigious individual prize. Now former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts has elected to end his college career playing quarterback under OU head coach Lincoln Riley and leading one of college football most explosive offenses.

Having been cast into a backup role at Alabama behind the player projected as the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy next season, it’s not as surprising as it might seem that Hurts would choose to play out his college eligibility at a school that has delivered two Heisman-winning quarterbacks in as many seasons.

Alabama junior Tua Tagovailoa is a 5-2 favorite to win the Heisman next season, according to Westgate Las Vegas Sports Book and ESPN. Clemson sophomore quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who led the Tigers to a 2018 national championship win over Alabama, is right behind Tagovailoa at 3-1 odds. Then comes Hurts and two others (Justin Fields at Ohio State and Adrian Martinez of Nebraska) at 6-1.

Oklahoma Sooners Football
Oklahoma Sooners Football /

Oklahoma Sooners Football

Hurts is in rarified air, having made appearances with Alabama in three consecutive College Football Playoffs. He was the starting quarterback for the Crimson Tide when Alabama lost to Clemson and Deshaun Watson on a late touchdown with time running down in the game.

Hurts is hoping to be the third Sooner quarterback in as many years to lead Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff and his fourth time to play in the national championship game.

In three seasons at Alabama, Hurts completed over 60 percent of his pass attempts for 5,627 yards and 48 touchdowns. He also ran for 1,926 yards, including 23 rushing touchdowns.

Oklahoma spring practice starts next week, and Hurts will be on the field as the Sooners look ahead in preparation for the 2019 season.

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