Oklahoma, again: Sooners QB Murray wins Heisman

Dec. 8 (UPI) -- For the second time in two years, an Oklahoma quarterback was selected as the best player in college football.

This time it was Kyler Murray, the Sooners' junior QB who won the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night. Murray followed up Baker Mayfield, who became the No. 1 the pick in the NFL draft in April and is currently the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns.

"This is crazy," Murray said upon accepting the award. "This is an honor. Something I'll never forget, something I'll cherish for the rest of my life."

Murray likely has also taken his own final snap for the Sooners. But unlike Mayfield, he is not expected to leave for the NFL. Instead, Murray was selected by the Oakland Athletics with the ninth overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft and intends to report to spring training in a few months.

Murray led Oklahoma to a 12-1 record and the Big 12 championship. Along the way, he compiled 4,053 passing yards and 51 touchdowns. He also ran for 892 yards and 11 scores, and is on pace to become the first starting quarterback in FBS history to average 300 passing yards and 60 rushing yards per game.

Murray won the Heisman over fellow QBs Dwayne Haskins of Ohio State and Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama. Fittingly, Oklahoma faces Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Murray comes from good athletic bloodlines. His father, Kevin, was a quarterback at Texas A&M (1983-86). His uncle, Calvin, played professional baseball for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers.

Oklahoma has now tied Ohio State and Notre Dame as the programs with the most Heisman winners (seven apiece).