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Oklahoma football: Another Sooner QB is a Heisman finalist

By Chip Rouse

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 07: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates the team"u2019s win over the Baylor Bears following the Big 12 Football Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 7, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. Oklahoma won 30-23. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 07: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates the team"u2019s win over the Baylor Bears following the Big 12 Football Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 7, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. Oklahoma won 30-23. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /
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If you measure college greatness at the quarterback position by Heisman recognition, Oklahoma football should be at the head of the class.

On Monday, the finalists were announced for the 2019 Heisman Trophy presentation on Saturday night  in New York City. For the fourth straight year an Oklahoma quarterback is among the Heisman finalists.

Jalen Hurts is the third consecutive Sooner quarterback to be a top contender for the Heisman, considered the most prestigious individual award in college football. The previous two, Baker Mayfield (2017) and Kyler Murray (2018), won the award in back-to-back years.

Hurts spent his first three seasons as a quarterback at Alabama under head coach Nick Saban. Following the 2018 season, Hurts entered the transfer portal and selected Oklahoma to finish out his collegiate career. His single season at OU was by far the best of his career.

In 13 games as the Sooner starting QB this season, Hurts has completed 72 percent of his pass attempts for 3,634 yards, 11th most in school history, and 32 touchdowns. He also is OU’s leading rusher with 1,430 yards on the ground and another 18 touchdowns.

The Alabama transfer, who hails from Houston, leads the nation this season in yards per pass attempt (11.8; the NCAA record is 11.6) and yards per completion (16.4) and is tied for the lead in points responsible for per game (23.7) and touchdowns (51).

In addition to the Heisman, Hurts is also a finalist for the Maxwell Award, Davey O’Brien Award and the Manning Award.

Joining Hurts in New York City on Saturday for the 2019 Heisman ceremony are fellow finalists Joe Burrow, quarterback for LSU, and linebacker Chase Young and quarterback Justin Fields, both of Ohio State.

Oklahoma has produced seven Heisman winners — including four since 2003 — which ties the Sooners with Notre Dame and Ohio State for the most by any one school. The Sooners have sent nine finalists to New York City since 2000, the most of any team in the country: Josh Heupel (2000), Jason White (2003, 2004), Adrian Peterson (2004), Sam Bradford (2008), Baker Mayfield (2016, 2017), Dede Westbrook (2016) and Kyler Murray (2018).

The hour-long 2019 Heisman Trophy ceremony will air Saturday on ESPN, beginning at 7 p.m. CT.

Oklahoma’s seven Heisman Trophy winners

RB Billy Vessels, 1952

RB Steve Owens, 1969

RB Billy Sims, 1978

QB Jason White, 2003

QB Sam Bradford, 2008

QB Baker Mayfield, 2017

QB Kyler Murray, 2018

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