*Kyler Murray – Noteworthy
Before picking football over baseball, Kyler Murray got some advice from another famous two-sport star. One Heisman Trophy winner to another. Tim Tebow says he told Murray to follow his heart when deciding between the Athletics and pursuing an NFL career. Murray, who won the Heisman last year in his lone season as Oklahoma’s starting quarterback, announced Monday he was fully committing to the gridiron despite being selected ninth overall in the 2018 amateur baseball draft.
After arriving Saturday at the Mets’ spring training camp, Tebow said he interviewed Murray a few months ago in his job as a college football television analyst and the two have gotten to know each other. Tebow, a former NFL quarterback, won the 2007 Heisman Trophy at Florida. “Kyler, I think he’s a really good young man, and I think this was a really tough decision for him,” Tebow said. “He loves two sports and I can really relate to that. And he went with something that he’s been really good at lately and dominating in. When we talked about it, and we did talk about that, I just gave him the advice to follow your heart. Whatever you’re passionate about.” – AP College Football
*Kyler Murray – Noteworthy
Kyler Murray hasn’t decided what he will specifically do at the NFL combine, he said Monday at the Davey O’Brien Awards dinner. But if the Oklahoma quarterback decides to run the 40, he could become a big story. Asked about the last time he ran the 40, Murray said: “I haven’t run a 40 in like two, three years. I ran a 4.3.” So his Murray faster now? “I think so,” he said. Only 11 players have ever broken 4.3 in the history of the combine. None was a quarterback. Murray said he’s spoken with Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley about his potential in the 40. “I’ve talked to him about it,” Murray said. “But we haven’t decided yet on what we’re going to do.” Riley has no doubts about Murray’s ability at the next level.
“His speed, obviously, is off the charts,” Riley said told NBC’s Peter King. “He’ll be the fastest quarterback in the NFL by a longshot the day he walks in the door. But on top of that, I think the things as a runner and athletically he brings, and his elite quickness, will be important. And then he just has a feel. He knows how to play the game. He knows when the moments are big and he needs to strain to get a first down. He’s not going to take unnecessary hits.” – Dallas News
*Kyler Murray – Noteworthy
Now that Kyler Murray has decided to play in the NFL instead of reporting to spring training as a first-round draft pick by baseball’s Oakland Athletics, the questions can shift to the Heisman Trophy winner’s height. The former Oklahoma star says everyone will get their answer at the NFL combine next week. And that was after Murray listed himself at 5-foot-10 Monday before accepting the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s top college quarterback. Murray said being projected as a first-rounder as a quarterback shorter than 6-foot is “crazy to me,” while adding he hasn’t “seen that since I’ve been alive.” The 21-year-old who was a state championship-winning high school quarterback in the Dallas area said he “wasn’t looking very good for the NFL side of things” before his standout season with the Sooners. Murray’s only previous college experience was a rough freshman season at Texas A&M. – AP College Football
*Marquise Brown – Noteworthy
Former Oklahoma receiver Marquise Brown will not be able to show off his speed later this month at the NFL scouting combine. According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Brown recently had surgery to repair a lisfranc injury and will not be able to participate in the combine or Oklahoma’s pro day. Brown essentially confirmed the news with a quote tweet response to Schefter. It’s possible Brown suffered the injury in Oklahoma’s win over Texas in the Big 12 Championship. Brown attempted to play on his injured foot in the Sooners’ Orange Bowl loss to Alabama, but was ineffective and eventually was replaced by Charleston Rambo. Despite dealing with a few different injuries over the course of the season, Brown totaled 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final season with Oklahoma. He’s currently projected to be a first-round pick, although it’s unclear how his lack of participation in the combine will impact his draft stock. – Dallas News
