H E I S M A N E D I T I O N | D E C E M B E R 10 , 2 0 18 | T W I C E W E E K LY I N P R I N T | O U D A I LY. C O M
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HEISMAN EDITION
December 10, 2018 •
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HEISMAN EDITION
• December 10, 2018
KYLER LIGHTS UP NEW YORK After a season of success, OU’s redshirt junior quarterback Kyler Murray swept the competition with his Heisman Trophy win this weekend in NYC GEORGE STOIA • @GEORGESTOIA NEW YORK — “I told you.â€? Those were the first words Mayomi Olootu Jr. — Kyler Murray’s high school teammate and one of his closest friends — said over the phone Saturday night just moments after Murray won the Heisman Trophy. Olootu Jr. knew after just one workout six years ago that Murray was bound for greatness. And now, Murray, who said all week he expected to be in New York at the beginning of the season, has cemented himself in Oklahoma and college football history. He proved Olootu Jr. and himself right. And while it may have been a dream he expected, it was a moment he will never forget. “This is crazy,â€? Murray said to open his speech after edging out Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa by 239 first-place votes. “This is something I’ve worked my whole life for — to fulfill my goals.â€? Murray’s 2018 season has been nothing short of remarkable, totaling for 4,945 yards and 51 touchdowns. It was a season full of highlights and memorable plays, from his 15-yard scramble against Florida Atlantic to his game-sealing touchdown pass against Texas in the Big 12 Championship. As the season progressed, Oklahoma seemed to take on Murray’s will to win — something he’s had his entire career, from posting a 43-0 high school record to leading OU to a 12-1 record — following in his footsteps as he took the Sooners on the path to Miami for the College Football Playoff semifinal against Alabama Dec. 29. And once again, he and Oklahoma were winners Saturday night. They made history, becoming just the third school to have different back-toback winners — the first since Army in 1945 and 1946 — and bringing home OU’s seventh Heisman Trophy, tying Notre Dame and Ohio State for the most by any program. “It’s part of playing at Oklahoma. You’re in the spotlight. You’re going to play in big games. You’re going to have that pressure,â€? said Jason White, who won the 2003 Heisman while at OU. “It just comes with the territory of being the quarterback at Oklahoma. Whether you’re up for the Heisman Trophy or just trying to make a bowl game, you’re the quarterback at the University of Oklahoma. That’s a pretty big deal.â€? Murray has shown he knows how to handle that pressure. His quiet yet confident demeanor was on display Friday and Saturday in the city that never sleeps. He fielded question after question about the future of his athletic career — through reporters focused on one — will it be NFL or Major League Baseball? The No. 9 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft answered each question the
PHOTO VIA TODD J. VAN EMST/HEISMAN TROPHY TRUST
Redshirt junior quarterback Kyler Murray wins the Heisman Trophy on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018 in New York City.
same, eventually giving a reporter a “no comment� and a “that was a good one� after he asked Murray if he would be the third major league player behind Vic Janowicz and Bo Jackson to win the Heisman. But Saturday night wasn’t about baseball or Murray’s possible future in the NFL. It was about accomplishing something few have in a season that even fewer expected. “I knew from day one,� Olootu Jr. said Saturday night of his former teammate at Allen High School in Texas. “I told everyone my quarterback was better than theirs. I can’t wait to see him and hug him and give him trash.� Friday night, Murray sat in his room at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square with his former offensive coordinator at Allen, Jeff Fleener. The two talked about the weekend and how special and exhausting it was. They reflected on the three years they had together, remembering not just the plays but the moments that sparked his incredible career. Fleener, like many others at Allen, saw Murray’s potential from the start. He even placed a bet on his former quarterback to win the Heisman in September. That’s where Murray gets his confidence and swagger: those around him believing in him to be the best. “This didn’t just happen,� Murray said at the press conference. “I’ve put so much time and effort into this
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game. This is a great accomplishment obviously, but like I said, I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for many people in my life.� But it hasn’t always been easy for him. When Murray transferred from Texas A&M after one season, fans and media were skeptical of the former fivestar quarterback as he arrived in Norman. Saturday night, for the first time, Murray opened up about his time at A&M. He recalled being frustrated in his dorm room at College Station and calling his parents, saying he didn’t want to be there anymore. That he didn’t want to play in a bowl game.
He wanted to start over. He wanted to start over at Oklahoma. “The competitor in me was just frustrated because I wasn’t able to contribute the way I wanted to,� Murray said. “Once the process started over again, coach (Lincoln) Riley made me feel like I was going to Oklahoma before I even sent the papers in.� Murray is rarely emotional. He’s usually short with his answers, quick to make his point. But that was different Saturday when it came time for him to thank Riley, the offensive guru who has now coached Heisman winners in his first two seasons as
HOROSCOPE By Eugenia Last
Copyright 2015, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018 ASTROGRAPH by Eugenia Last Stick to the truth, keep things simple and see all sides of every situation you face this year. An open mind and an abundance of love will help you get the most out of the opportunities that come your way. Strive for unity, peace and love. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- You’ll be tempted to overreact if someone isn’t playing fair. Consider alternative ways to handle delicate situations. You can make a good impression and effect change.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Put things in order. Set the record straight and reach out to people you know could use a helping hand. Make the effort to strive for better health. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- You’ll be drawn to people who may not be good for you. Question anyone who is offering the impossible or charming you with grandiose ideas. Get back to basics.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- You know what you are capable of doing. Set a course that is geared toward helping others and bringing joy to those in need. Personal CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Go improvements are highlighted. over plans or take care of important details that should be handled LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- A change will do you good. Consider your opbefore the year comes to a close. Someone will offer personal insight tions and make some arrangements to discuss your plans with someone into an important partnership. who can help your cause. Celebrate with a loved one. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Take a moment to reflect on VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Take your personal habits and health regimen. Diet and exercise should part in activities that include chilbe priorities, along with new begin- dren or seniors. Your input will be nings as the new year approaches. appreciated, and the joy you bring others will be its own reward. Close your day with a romantic gesture. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- Do whatever you can to bring a little LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Visit a joy to someone who is alone or friend or relative, or attend a funcneeds help. Your gesture will not only change someone else’s life, it tion that will teach you something you didn’t already know. Embrace will change yours as well. new beginnings, but trust your own judgment. Put practicality first. ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Sit tight and don’t make a move. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) You may be tempted to initiate a -- Communication is the key to change, but there will be advantages to holding out and waiting for getting what you want. If you offer your ideas and are open to others’ a more appropriate moment. suggestions, you will come up with a dynamite plan.
OU’s head coach. He paused to gather himself before saying thank you to the coach who gave him a new beginning. “Nobody really knows how hard these past couple years have been for me,� Murray said during his speech, looking at Riley and growing emotional. “Through it all, you pushed me. You kept me going. You kept me focused. You pushed me harder than any coach ever has, and I just want to say thank you for believing in me.� Dressed in his all-black suit and silver tie, Murray spoke for just a few moments backstage to a select
group of media following his formal press conference. He was polite and humble, shaking all six media members hands before and after talking. He checked his phone mid-interview, scrolling through the hundreds of texts lighting up his phone much like he’s lit up college football this season. It was the night he’d dreamed of, the night he wanted. “It’s been a good year,� Murray said with a smile. “Hasn’t it?� And it’s not over yet. George Stoia
georgestoia@ou.edu
Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy Parker December 10, 2018
ACROSS 1 Feminine pronoun 4 Grain bundle 9 Spectrumforming solid 14 Washroom, briefly 15 Allay, as fears 16 “In today’s game� thing 17 “Open, sesame� dude 18 Reason to not eat cookie dough 20 Wild, bizarre fight 22 Wine casks 23 Course outlines 26 Crisp tortilla 31 Recently 33 Potato sack material 34 Chairman of China 36 Large amounts 38 Beer barrel boogie 39 Lists, as a price 41 Gives off 43 Lift on slopes 44 More frozen 46 Quick cuts 48 Food scrap 49 Coined 51 Cave 53 Espied
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55 Swimming actions 58 “I’m doomed!� 60 Type of glasses 61 Billiards variety 67 Use a moist cotton ball 68 Trump’s second 69 Blockade variety 70 Deploy 71 Hides evidence, e.g. 72 Twinklers up high 73 Pay ___ view DOWN 1 “Grand� hits 2 “Roots� author 3 Villainous in appearance 4 Informs to the coppers 5 Attila, for one 6 Treaty of Rome org. 7 Many bushels, e.g. 8 Brazenly disobey 9 Activate the lobby elevator 10 A Christmas shade 11 Drink freshener 12 Droop 13 Car ad fig.
19 Oft-turned thing 21 Santa’s wee one 24 Hay block 25 Collection pieces 27 Horse race pace 28 With no rooms left 29 Senegal’s capital 30 Separate 32 “Dallas� family 34 Impairs severely 35 It represents PC characters 37 Works batter 40 TV’s MacFarlane 42 Parking place 45 Seizes again
47 Peaceful walks 50 Drop, in editing 52 Climber’s destination 54 Closes a pinkie hole 56 Eliminate 57 Heavy sword 59 Quarrel 61 Luxurious place 62 Woodpecker’s worker 63 January, in dates 64 Mo. No. 10 65 Egg, in old Rome 66 Boating tool
PREVIOUS PREVIOUSPUZZLE PUZZLEANSWER ANSWER
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Š 2018 Andrews McMeel Universal Š 2018 Andrews McMeel Universal www.upuzzles.com www.upuzzles.com
TAKE ANOTHER OOK By Timothy E. Parker
HEISMAN EDITION
December 10, 2018 •
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‘HE’S A WINNER. HE HAS THAT KILLER INSTINCT. HE’S THE TOTAL PACKAGE.’ PAXSON HAWS/SOONER YEARBOOK
Redshirt junior quarterback Kyler Murray looks for an open receiver during the game against UCLA Sept. 9. Murray is now two wins away from winning the national championship, a goal he “prepared his whole life” for.
Some have said Kyler Murray is the best athlete in the country. Now, he’s taking home the hardware to prove it.
A
s Baker Mayfield addressed the Oklahoma media for the final time following Oklahoma’s 54-48 double overtime loss to Georgia in last season’s Rose Bowl, Kyler Murray sat on the floor just feet away. His head hung, deep in thought. “They are in great hands,” a somber Mayfield said that night in Pasadena as Murray sat to his left. “They have the best coach in the country, and Kyler is the best athlete in the country. They’re going to be just fine.” Mayfield was right. Now 344 days since that game, Oklahoma is sitting right back where it was a year ago, and Murray, the Heisman Trophy w i n n e r, i s t a k i n g a w a l k i n Mayfield’s shoes. First, in New York this weekend. Then, in the College Football Playoff semifinal. He’s electrified the college football world in maybe his final season playing football and brought home the hardware to show for it Saturday night. He’s etched his name in Oklahoma lore and his legacy will soon be set in bronze on Jenkins Avenue — something that’s been on his mind since he sat on that Rose Bowl locker room floor. “I’ve prepared my whole life to lead a university to a national championship,” Murray said after the Rose Bowl. “It’s been a dream of mine to do that and do more.” Now, he’s two wins away from clinching a national title.
GEORGE STOIA • @GEORGESTOIA to give Allen a 21-13 edge in the final quarter. This, of course, was Murray, before anyone knew who he was. Murray and the Eagles would go on to lose to Coppell in overtime that Friday night, 27-24. But Murray, who started every game of his high school career from then on, would still lead Allen to a state championship in 2012. Six years later, everyone in college football knows his high school accolades. Perfect 43-0 record as a starter. Three state championships, Gatorade Player of the Year, so on and so forth. But Murray’s football career hasn’t always been one filled with success — look to College Station for the first example. Murray’s one season at Texas A&M was filled with ups and downs, earning the starting position midseason only to lose it a few games later and eventually transferring to OU where he sat for two years behind Mayfield. “I thank Baker for sure. He
doesn’t know it, but I thank him more than anyone,” Murray said Monday. “I’m appreciative that I did get the opportunity to — obviously I’m a competitor and didn’t want to sit for the time that
“I’ve prepared my whole life to lead a university to a national championship.” KYLER MURRAY, OU QUARTERBACK
I did, but I don’t think I’d be here right now or playing the way I am if I didn’t get to see how it’s done.” Murray gave Sooner Nation glimpses in 2017 of what was to come in 2018. His 87-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Brown against Tulane and his 65-yard run on the first play against West Virginia are prime examples. He
stayed patient that 2017 season, and now he’s reaping the reward. From taking over against Coppell in the fourth quarter to sitting behind Mayfield for a year to that scamper against West Virginia, Murray waited his turn. And now, in likely his only season at Oklahoma, he’s grabbed the attention of the nation just like his predecessor told the country months ago. “He’s going to break all my records,” Mayfield told Bleacher Report in June. “He’s that good.” “... to lead a university to a national championship...” Mayfield wasn’t wrong. Murray has had one of the most memorable seasons to date, full of Heisman moments and statistics that will leave him among college football’s best for years to come. His choice to play one last season, despite being drafted No. 9 overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2018 MLB Draft, has paid
“I’ve prepared my whole life...” Trailing Coppell High School 13-7 going into the fourth quarter, then-Allen High School head coach Tom Westerberg made a decision. He sat his senior quarterback and put in a sophomore — a transfer from Lewisville — who had shown a spark few have during mop-up duty in the previous five games. The 16-yearold kid led Allen on a nine-play 68-yard drive to start the fourth quarter, ending with him finding the end zone on a four-yard run. On the ensuing possession, he broke a 49-yard touchdown run
CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY
Then-sophomore quarterback Kyler Murray runs the ball after then-senior quarterback Baker Mayfield pitched it to him during the Rose Bowl Jan. 1. Murray followed in Mayfield’s footsteps with his win of the Heisman just a year lster.
off — big time. “I’ve been playing this game my entire life,” Murray said. “To leave this game with a bad taste in my mouth, after my freshman year at A&M, that’s just not who I am. I’ve worked my whole life for this. So for me, leaving after getting drafted was never an option. “For the people that say I’m crazy for doing it, that’s just not who I am.” Mur ray has been a human highlight reel this season. The bombs to Marquise Brown, the mesmerizing runs and the escape-artist scrambles have been plentiful. Statistically, he’s having one of the greatest seasons in college football history. “Just to watch it live — it’s like you’re watching a smaller Michael Vick,” said Jason White, w h o w o n t h e 2 0 0 3 He i s ma n Trophy while at OU. “To have to fill the shoes of Baker Mayfield and what he’s done for the program, that’s a daunting task. And Kyler took it by the horns and ran with it. He’s exceeded my expectations.” He’s on the verge of breaking Mayfield’s passing efficiency record (198.9), Russell Wilson’s total QBR record (94.2) and Sam B ra d f o rd’s t o t a l t ou c h d ow n school record (55). He’s already broken Mayfield’s record in total touchdowns (48) and yards (in one less game 4,938). But when fans look back at this season, it won’t be the stats or accolades they remember most, it’ll be the season-defining plays he made. The 15-yard scramble against Flor ida Atlantic in Nor man. The 67-yard run against Texas at the Cotton Bowl. The fourth down conversion against West Virginia in Morgantown. And the game-sealing touchdown pass to Grant Calcaterra in the Big 12 Championship. Those are the moments Murray will be remembered for. “I pride myself on trying to come through for the team,” Murray said. “I just do my job the best I can do it.” See KYLER page 6
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HEISMAN EDITION
• December 10, 2018
Heisman trip raises emotions Heading to New York, covering Kyler Murray fulfill long-held dream GEORGE STOIA • @GEORGESTOIA NEW YORK — I’m not typically one to get emotional. But as I bought a New Y o r k Ya n k e e s h a t o n Saturday morning in a small sporting shop on Broadway, I couldn’t help but tear up. This was a trip I had been promised years ago by my aunt. She always told me she was going to take me to New York for my high school graduation, take me to a Yankees game and buy me a hat. That never happened. In 2014, my aunt Elizabeth was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). At age 52, the woman I once considered my second mother can’t speak or function by herself. She would have loved this weekend, even though I d i d n ’ t g e t t o Ya n k e e Stadium. In fact, the diehard Sooners fan in her would think I got to do something even better. New York is my dream city, long atop my bucket list. I ate a lot of pizza and walked a lot of miles, seeing the sights and smelling the smells of the city that never sleeps. I got to see the
PHOTO PROVIDED BY GEORGE STOIA
George Stoia, The Daily’s sports editor, in New York City before the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
Rockefeller Center, Times Square and the New York Stock Exchange. Oh, and I got to cover Kyler Murray winning the Heisman Trophy. I’ve been so fortunate to cover some amazing events and athletes during my time at The Daily. Two Big 12
Championships, the Rose Bowl, soon the Orange Bowl, Baker Mayfield, Trae Young and, of course, Murray. My focus these past few days has been Murray, the two-sport star and now the 84th — and OU’s seventh — Heisman Trophy winner. Murray has been interesting
to cover to say the least. He doesn’t have the charisma of Mayfield or the youthfulness of Young. He’s quiet yet confident, sharing little of his personal life, which makes for challenging writing. But I appreciate Murray. He’s honest and insightful, and when he shook my
hand and said “Thank you” backstage after he won, I couldn’t help but smile because if it weren’t for him and his remarkable season, I never would have bought a last-minute ticket to New York on Monday afternoon. I also have my adviser at The Daily, Seth Prince, to thank for that. He told me Murray was going to win, persisting in saying I should go and that it would be the “trip of a lifetime.” It was. From spending $80 on an Uber to eating too much chicken Parmesan to seeing a woman with 15 pigeons on her arm, it was everything I’d dreamed of. Of course, I wish I could have spent it with my aunt as we planned years ago, but I hope to tell her all about it even if she can’t understand me. My first trip to New York was a success and, for that, I’m thankful. Thank you, New York. I hope to be back soon. George Stoia
georgestoia@ou.edu
Heisman winner mentions Tea Cafe in Saturday speech PARKER PRIMROSE • @PARKER_PRIMROSE “You may hurt my pockets on Wednesdays at Tea Cafe, but I’d run through a wall for you boys, man, I love y’all.” Tea Cafe ser ves Asian cuisine and an assortment of beverages and desserts. It is located on Asp Avenue and is open from Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. t o 1 0 p. m . a n d F r i d a y through Saturday 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Parker Primrose
parker.m.primrose-1@ou.edu
Anna Bauman News Managing Editor Julia Weinhoffer Engagement Editor George Stoia Sports Editor
Kyler shouts out local restaurant Redshirt junior quart e r b a c k Ky l e r M u r r a y was named the Heisman Trophy winner Saturday night, winning over Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa and Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins. In Murray’s acceptance speech, he gave a shoutout to Norman restaurant Tea Cafe on Campus Corner. “To my boys back home, Bobby Evans, Ben Powers, C r e e d Hu m p h r e y , D r u Samia and Cody Ford, you guys keep me upright, you keep me safe,” Murray said.
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KYLE COOKMEYER/THE DAILY
Tea cafe on Campus Corner. Redshirt junior quarterback Kyler Murray gave a shoutout to the restaurant in his Heisman acceptance speech.
KYLER: Continued from page 5
“... and do more.”
CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY
Redshirt junior quarterback Kyler Murray runs the ball in the game against West Virginia Nov. 23.
In September, former Allen offensive coordinator Jeff Fleener had his friend place a bet for him in Las Vegas. Fleener put $20 on Murray, who he coached from 2012 to 14, to win the Heisman. “I just wanted the ticket that said ‘Kyler Murray for Heisman,’” Fleener said, who was in New York for the ceremony after promising Murray he’d go if he made it. “I probably should have bet more money on him, to be honest… I knew he would be there.” It’s not about the money Fleener won, but the confidence he had in his quarterback. A n d t hat ’s w hy t h o s e that know Murray best, including himself, are not surprised he was in New York Saturday night. His confidence shines when his team needs him most. H e ’s b e e n O k l a h o m a’s most valuable asset, feeling the pressure of being perfect week-in and weekout thanks to a defense that makes him have to respond nearly every time he touches the ball. “You can look at stats all day long, but if you sit back and turn on the tape and watch Kyler play a game, watch Dwayne play a game and then watch Tua play a game,” White said, “which guy matters most for his
team? And I think that’s easy to answer.” There’s something that divided Murray from his competition. Tagovailoa and Haskins have undoubtedly had great seasons, but Murray’s ability to put his team on his back ever y Saturday — those moments mentioned early — is what separated him from the pack. “He’s a winner. He has that killer instinct. He’s the total package,” said former OU running back Billy Sims a few weeks ago, who won the 1978 Heisman Trophy. “To me, he’s already won the Heisman.” With a quiet personality and a loud game, Murray nonchalantly enjoyed New York City and Times Square over the weekend. It was another opportunity for him to dress up (he told the media he would be wearing black on Saturday) and give a short speech as he so often does. But this is something he’s dreamed of, something he’s wanted since that night in Pasadena. While a goodbye may soon be coming, Saturday night didn’t mark the end of his football career, it instead celebrated the incredible season no one expected but himself. “ I t w e n t b y q u i c k ,” Murray said. “For me, one season or a one-and-done type deal possibly, it’s been everything I dreamed of… “And it’s all been worth it.” George Stoia
georgestoia@ou.edu
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HEISMAN EDITION
December 10, 2018 •
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KYLER’S STATISTICS STACK UP Kyler Murray has had a great season statistically for the Sooners. Take a look at how his numbers compare to the two most recent Heisman Trophy winners. ABBY BITTERMAN • @ABBYBIT
2017 HEISMAN BAKER MAYFIELD
2018 HEISMAN KYLER MURRAY
Games Played: 13 Passing Yards: 4,053 Rushing Yards: 892 Total Touchdowns: 51 Passing Efficiency: 205.7
Games Played: 14 Passing Yards: 4,627 Rushing Yards: 311 Total Touchdowns: 48 Passing Efficiency: 198.9
2016 HEISMAN LAMAR JACKSON
Games Played: 13 Passing Yards: 3,543 Rushing Yards: 1,571 Total Touchdowns: 51 Passing Efficiency: 148.8
PHOTO VIA GOCARDS.COM
Murray broke records in Heisman run OU quarterback becomes legend with win, earns high numbers by award, league standards PARKER PRIMROSE • @PARKER_PRIMROSE Redshirt senior quarterback Kyler Murray was named the Heisman Trophy winner for the 2018 season. Along the way, Murray broke several Heisman and league records. Below are some of the Heisman records Murray and Oklahoma broke:
• Oklahoma is the third school w i t h d i f f e re nt b a ck- t o - b a ck Heisman Trophy winners. Felix “Doc” Blanchard and Glenn Davis won back-to-back for Army in 19451946, and Larry Kelley and Clinton Frank won back-to-back for Yale in 1936-1937. Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush won back-to-back for • Murray is the first Heisman USC in 2004-2005, however Bush’s winner to wear jersey No. 1. Heisman was vacated. Archie
Griffin won the award for Ohio 10.24. State in back-to-back years in 1974 and 1975. • Sixth-most passing yards with 4,053. The record-holder is Detmer • Second-most total yards with 5,188. with 4,945. The record-holder is • Most yards-per-attempt with Brigham Young University’s Ty 11.9. The previous record-holder Detmer with 5,022 yards. was Mayfield with 11.7. • Most yards-per-play with 10.7. • Highest pass efficiency ratThe previous record-holder was Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield with ing with 205.7. The previous
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record-holder was Mayfield with 203.76. • Tied for third-most total touchdowns with 51. The current record-holders are Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford and Oregon’s Marcus Mariota with 53. Parker Primrose
parker.m.primrose-1@ou.edu
8•
HEISMAN EDITION
December 10, 2018
KYLER SPEAKS AFTER BIG WIN Murray walked away with the most anticipated individual award of the season. He covered a variety of topics post-Heisman ceremony, including emotions and baseball. PARKER PRIMROSE • @PARKER_PRIMROSE CALEB MCCOURRY • @CALEBMAC21
R
O N A L A B A M A QUARTERBACK TUA TAGOVAILOA’S CHANCES OF BEING A HEISMAN FINALIST AGAIN NEXT YEAR “Very confident. He’s a tremendous talent and an even better dude off the field. I met him for the first time on Wednesday. I’m just O N O K L A H O M A H E A D thankful I got to be around him in COACH LINCOLN RILEY any way, and I’m pretty positive that “I’ve said it all week. He was born he will be back.” to coach, and he’s different. I can’t put it into words. I wouldn’t be here ON WAITING FOR HIS without coach Riley and what he’s OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY done. He’s trusted me, believed in “At times when I wasn’t playing me, and just allowed me to be me and I was wanting to be out there, on and off the field. I haven’t been I trusted the process once my time perfect these last few years, but he’s came. And it was easy to sit bestuck with me and I wouldn’t be hind Bake... He did everything and here without him.” more for us. For me it was easy to get to learn behind him… It’s part of ON BEING SUCCESSFUL IN the reason why I’m sitting up here BASEBALL AND FOOTBALL today.” “I’ve had many great people ON WHERE WINNING THE around me to help me get to this point. This football season, I just HEISMAN RANKS ON HIS LIST knew if I did my job with the sup- OF ACHIEVEMENTS “It’s definitely up there. I don’t porting cast that I have with the guys around me, my coaches, if I just know if it’s at the top. This season made the right play and just took has been special. My teammates, things that were there, that I would it’s definitely been a dream to represent them up here.” have the chance to end up here.” edshirt junior quarterback Kyler Murray was named the 2018 Heisman Trophy winner Saturday night, capping off a record-setting season for the Sooners’ standout. Here’s what Murray had to say after being named the winner:
O N W H AT H E W O U L D S AY TO T H E OT H E R T W O FINALISTS “We had already discussed how amazing it was to be here together. They both had two historical seasons. Dwayne is doing stuff, he’s breaking Drew Brees’ record, he’s doing stuff that’s never been done. Tua is doing the same thing at Alabama… I would just say congratulations.”
ON FACING ADVERSITY IN COLLEGE “I didn’t fail a lot growing up, if at all. So once I kind of ran into that, I had a little failure my freshman year of college. It was hard, but I’m a cool, calm and collected guy… I just believe that going to OU was the best situation for me. And then finding out Bake had another year and had to sit again I just used it to the best of my ability and took advantage of it.”
ON IF HE ASKED FORMER OKLAHOMA QUARTERBACK AND HEISMAN WINNER BAKER MAYFIELD FOR ADVICE THIS WEEK “We talked heavily throughout this week. It was casual, bro-to-bro talk, nothing official. He just told me enjoy it and just have fun with it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal.”
ON JOINING OKLAHOMA’S HEISMAN STATUES “Walking by that thing every day going to class, I’d put it in my head to put one out there. To do it, to be here, it’s pretty special. At Oklahoma, there’s a lot of stuff that hasn’t been done, so for me to put my name in the history of Oklahoma, it’s a great accomplishment.”
ON DECIDING BETWEEN ON THE MOMENT BASEBALL AND FOOTBALL HE HEARD HIS NAME ANNOUNCED “As of right now, everybody “It’s very surreal. This didn’t knows the plan. I’m really not fo- just happen. I’ve put so much cused on that right now. All I can time and effort into this game, do is go out and play every Saturday this is a great accomplishment. I for these next hopefully two games. wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Right now my focus is on Alabama.” many people.”
ON HIS EMOTIONS AFTER WINNING THE TROPHY “This is something I’ve been dreaming of all my life. I felt like a lot of hard work has been put into this, but at the same time, I’m not here without God, my teammates, my coaches, my family. It hasn’t sunk in yet, but this is crazy.”
Parker Primrose
parker.m.primrose-1@ou.edu
Caleb McCourry
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On Twitter? Stay connected.
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Redshirt junior quarterback Kyler Murray runs with the ball during the Big 12 Championship against Texas on Dec. 1. Murray was named the 2018 Heisman Trophy winner Saturday night.
Kyler wins by large margin in Heisman votes PLAYER
SCHOOL
POSITION
CLASS
1ST
2ND 3RD
TOTAL POINTS
Kyler Murray Tua Tagovailoa Dwayne Haskins
Oklahoma Alabama Ohio State
QB QB QB
JR SO SO
517 299 46
278 431 111
2167 1871 783
60 112 423
WHO ARE YOU?
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My name is Jennifer Hicks. I am a native of Norman, Okla., and a 2002 OU graduate. I’m the digital news editor at The Wall Street Journal. I live in Brooklyn, N.Y., with my husband, Anthony.
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HOW DID WORKING FOR THE OU DAILY HELP YOU GET TO THE WALL STREET JOURNAL?
Jennifer Hicks
I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in journalism. The Daily was the perfect introduction to the field. I held several roles at the Daily, including online editor, managing editor and night editor. I was editor-in-chief during my senior year. The Daily is a place to practice journalism in its many forms. It’s a place to write stories that have impact. It’s a place to make mistakes and learn from them. It’s a place to develop strong ethical standards. It’s a place to blaze a trail and invent new kinds of storytelling. It’s the perfect place to start a career in journalism.
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KYLER
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KYLER’S ‘CIRCLE OF TRUST’ JORDAN MILLER/THE DAILY
The dual-sport star’s success may have surprised Sooner Nation, but those close to him knew he could do it all along
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ome call them the “circle of trust.” Others call them the “inner family.” Kyler Murray calls them his “people.” Those “people” are the ones who know him best. They’re the ones who have seen him behind the wall that so many of us have
GEORGE STOIA • @GEORGESTOIA caught ourselves climbing just to get a peek into the life of the dual-sport phenomenon. Murray has knowingly, and wisely, shielded himself from the outside noise, keeping those closest to him by his side. These aren’t the people who know his 43-0 high school record or the ones who know he’s just as
good at football as he is at baseball or even the ones who know he drives a white Chevy Camaro and his favorite rap artist is Drake. No, these are the people who had a locker next to his, who caught his first passes, who were the first to find out Oklahoma would be his new temporary home, who
hugged him after his first loss as a starter and who know what his future may hold. So when I called Steele Walker, who has known Murray since he was 12, to ask what he knew about the quarterback who everyone wants to think they know, he summed up Murray’s mysterious
journey to greatness in the simplest of ways. “He’s hard to get to know,” Walker chuckled. “If you know him, you know him. You know?” No, Steele. I don’t know. Few do. Here’s what they say. CIRCLE continued on page 14
MEET THE CAST RYAN HOOGERWERF
MAYOMI OLOOTU JR.
Backup quarterback at Allen High School from 2012 to 2014, also played baseball at Allen, continued his baseball career at Portland University from 2014 to 2017 (Allen class of 2014).
Starting cornerback for Allen from 2012 to 2013, played football at Northern Illinois from 2014 to 2017 (Allen class of 2014).
OLIVER PIERCE Allen’s starting quarterback for the first six games of the 2012 season, went onto wrestle at Arizona State University (Allen class of 2013).
COLE CARTER Starting wide receiver at Allen from 2012 to 13, played baseball at West Virginia before transferring to play at Texas A&M Corpus Christi (Allen class of 2014).
LEE MORRIS Wide receiver at Allen from 2011 to 2015, walked on at the University of Oklahoma in 2015, recently earned a scholarship as a redshirt junior (Allen class of 2015).
JALEN GUYTON Starting wide receiver at Allen from 2013 to 14, had 82 receptions for 1,770 yards, 22 touchdowns as a senior, currently a sophomore wide receiver at North Texas (Allen class of 2015).
TEJAN KOROMA Starting center at Allen from 2012 to 2013, continued his career at BYU as a four-year starter from 2014 to 2017, currently on the IR for the Kansas City Chiefs (Allen class of 2014).
LINCOLN RILEY Offensive coordinator at Oklahoma from 2015 to 2017, currently the head coach at Oklahoma.
CHAD ADAMS Starting corner for Allen from 2012 to 13, continued his career as a safety at Arizona State from 2014 to 17 (Allen class of 2014).
BOBBY EVANS Offensive tackle at Allen from 2011 to 2015, currently Oklahoma’s starting left tackle, has started every game for OU the past two seasons (Allen class of 2015).
STEELE WALKER Played baseball at Prosper High School in Texas from 2011 to 2015, continued career at University of Oklahoma from 2016 to 2018, was drafted No. 46 overall by the Chicago White Sox in the 2018 MLB Draft.
END WITH A CAREER WORKING FOR COMPANIES LIKE THESE apply: www.studentmedia.ou.edu/jobs
TOM WESTERBERG Head coach at Allen from 2004 to 2015, posted a 14817 record as head coach, currently the head coach and athletics director at Barbers High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas.
JEFF FLEENER Offensive coordinator at Allen from 2006 to 2015, currently the head coach at Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas.
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HEISMAN EDITION
• December 10, 2018
CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY
CHAPTER 1
KYLER THE COMPETITOR
Summer of 2012: Ryan Hoogerwerf and Oliver Pierce had heard the rumors — there was a new kid in town. But neither of them expected what they saw on a hot summer day during a workout at Curtis Middle School in Allen, Texas. RYAN HOOGERWERF: We were doing some seven-on-seven work and had heard about this new kid that was supposed to be really good. OLIVER PIERCE: I was originally a wide receiver but moved to quarterback my senior year. I was the expected starter. Murray was transferring to Allen after spending his freshman year at Lewisville. Everyone expected Pierce to be the starter and Hoogerwerf to replace him a year later. HOOGERWERF: It was an allout brawl for that starting spot. COLE CARTER: We had been around some good quarterbacks before, so I’m thinking this guy can’t be anything too great. JALEN GUYTON: He was a new face in the program. I didn’t think much of him — he was really quiet at first. PIERCE: He was scrawny, man. Murray was no bigger than 5-foot-9, 170 pounds at the time. HOOGERWERF: Then he threw the ball. CARTER: He almost ripped someone’s head off.
BOBBY EVANS: I’ve never seen anyone throw the ball like that. MAYOMI OLOOTU JR.: I was like, “Woah, that dude can throw.” PIERCE: I thought, “Oh shit, this kid can throw. I’m going to have to ball out.” HOOGERWERF: I was super annoyed at first. I was like, “Well crap, there go my playing hopes.” CHAD ADAMS: It was the elephant in the room … Kyler was going to be the guy. PIERCE: I went back to receiver after a few games. Pierce started the first five games of Murray’s sophomore season, but after a loss to Coppell High School, Murray became the starter in game six. His ability to cut up defenses both through the air and on the ground made him one of the best players in the state. HOOGERWERF: It was me and (Pierce) going back and forth for that job … But then Kyler just exposed his true talent and so we obviously moved him, and it clearly treated us well. COACH JEFF FLEENER: You see a great a player, and he just takes it to a whole other level. He plays a different game than everybody else. GUYTON: The first time I caught the ball from him, I knew he was different. He was coming at a different pace. PIERCE: Everyone talks about how he can run, but he was taught his entire life how to throw the football. He can flat spin it. He’s the total package.
HOOGERWERF: You forget that anyone else is in the stadium. It’s like you’re just watching Kyler … He does things that make you forget that there’s anyone else around you. COACH TOM WESTERBERG: There were games where we were blowing people out and then there were games we were down in the fourth quarter where he would just take over … When people know he’s going to work, and things weren’t going our way, he’d just say, ‘All right, let’s get it done.’ Everyone expected him to make plays, and he did.” Murray was an anomaly growing up, not because he played football and baseball, but because of the level he was able to perform in both. It was always easy for him. There was seemingly nothing he couldn’t do. CARTER: He would be sleeping two minutes before a game, wake up and hit a home run in his first at-bat. HOOGERWERF: Rather than a state of jealousy or state of anger, it became a state of awe. It was so much fun to watch him. I was watching greatness. PIERCE: He was just a pup his sophomore year — he took off his junior year. Just the way he carried himself, you were like, “Damn. This kid is going to be special.” HOOGERWERF: He’s not going to settle for anything less. He’s going to be No. 1. TEJAN KOROMA: Kyler is the
best at everything he does. It’s that simple. While everyone tends to focus on the athlete Murray has become, it’s video games, according to friends, where he really shines. GUYTON: Anything he does, he does it hard, like playing video games — FIFA, 2K, Madden, all that stuff. HOOGERWERF: He wouldn’t let me play 2K with him anymore because he’s there to win, and I was holding him back. PIERCE: We played NCAA 14 and he would run the score up on me, and I would get so mad. All he did was go to school, play football and play video games. HOOGERWERF: We played on the same team once in a FIFA tournament. He only let me use one button … We won the tournament. GUYTON: He would be the guy that could control 10 guys on the team, and I would be the guy that would just stand in the corner. He would coach the players as if they could hear him. Murray is the same way on the football and baseball fields. COACH FLEENER: For three years, I never had to yell at receivers to run hard on a route. Kyler was going to let them hear it, and the whole field was going to hear it. GUYTON: If he sees something he doesn’t like or something isn’t right, then he will step up and
say, “Let’s go, get your head out of your ass.” L E E M O R R I S : He’s always been a playmaker, and he’s always expected the best out of his teammates. COACH FLEENER: We used to have a little five-minute break in our practice after we did routes on air. There were multiple instances where he would say, “We’re not going to break. Get your butt back out here.” He would get after them. OLOOTU JR.: He’s so competitive that after practice he would make us do one-on-ones. Me, him and Guyton. We went at it. CARTER: Coach Fleener would always say, “You have to practice at that speed, not just flip a switch … unless you’re Kyler.” Because he didn’t need to flip a switch — the switch was always flipped. COACH FLEENER: He doesn’t get guys that have to flip a switch to turn it on. When it’s time to practice, it’s time to practice. When it’s time to play a game, it’s time to play a game. He doesn’t understand pregame speeches. He doesn’t understand that need to listen to a song before they go out and play … It bothers him that guys don’t just walk on the field and the switch is on to be a beast. Murray’s competitiveness has made him who he is today. The confidence and swagger showed throughout his high school career.
CHAPTER 2
KYLER THE LEGEND
His 43-0 record and three consecutive state championships are well known. But it’s the games, and moments, that made him go from a star to a legend. When asked what game defined Murray’s career, nearly everyone had a different answer. HOOGERWERF: It came against DeSoto. OLOOTU JR.: Southlake. ADAMS: Coppell. COACH FLEENER: Skyline or Southlake Carroll. KO R O M A : It was against Mesquite. GUYTON: Maybe Hebron. COACH WESTERBERG: There were so many moments. One game in particular was mentioned by each and every teammate and coach at Allen. It happened Dec. 14, 2013. KOROMA: The DeSoto game was something special. COACH FLEENER: It was to go to the state championship. Everything on the line. It was Murray’s junior year. He
had led the Eagles to a perfect 13-0 record, but that was in jeopardy at halftime as they trailed 22-17. KOROMA: We went into halftime, and I was like, “I don’t know, man.” But Kyler took over. A lot of people were frustrated during that game. Not Kyler. His team still trailed 35-20 with 8:35 left to play in the fourth quarter. CARTER: He came to me on the sideline and said, “We’re good.” G U Y TO N : He hit me on a 60-some-yard touchdown to cut it to 8. OLOOTU JR.: We got a stop. KOROMA: Then we went and scored. HOOGERWERF: Kyler converted the two-point conversion to tie the game. He sprinted 100 yards down the sidelines, pylon to pylon, screaming at our bench to get fired up … That’s the most emotional I’ve seen Kyler. Murray’s heroics weren’t done. He would score on a 24-yard
touchdown run with 11 seconds remaining to seal the victory and send Allen to the state championship. OLOOTU JR.: He just changed the game. I’ve never seen anyone run that fast — he was running with the defensive backs. COACH FLEENER: He’s just built different. ADAMS: He just has a different mentality than everyone else … He doesn’t lose. CARTER: He carries himself as if to say, “Been here, done this.” He was never a guy to show a lot of emotion. But he did then. KOROMA: It was just Kyler being Kyler. Beyond the DeSoto game, nearly every player shared their favorite “Kyler” moment during his career at Allen. HOOGERWERF: I can pinpoint a moment when I knew he was a future Heisman contender … We were playing Plano West Kyler’s junior year. (Texas A&M coaches Kevin Sumlin and Jake Spavital)
had just landed their helicopter in the open field right next to the football stadium, and Kyler had just broken a 70-yard zone read. I remember Sumlin and (Spavital) were standing in the end zone, and Kyler shook both of their hands after he walked across the end zone. And he just walked back to our sideline like it was no big deal. G U Y TO N : We were playing Hebron and they had subbed in the backup corner. Me and Kyler were on the same page, so he checked in a post play, and we were both thinking touchdown. But I tripped on my own feet and fell, and the kid intercepted the ball … Kyler was pissed. We scored the next time we ran the play. CARTER: Halftime of the state championship his senior year, he was furious because he only had about 250 to 300 yards, and he felt that he should have 450 to 500. He was mad the offense wasn’t showing what they could do. He holds himself to such a high standard that it rubs off, which makes everyone else around him better. KOROMA: I remember when I
became a fan of Kyler Murray, not just a teammate. It was against Mesquite. It was fourth-and-one, he was stuffed in the backfield, spun out and went for six. CARTER: We had a playoff (baseball) game on a Saturday and Kyler had to take the SAT, so he was going to be late. I’m sitting in centerfield and he rolls up about 30 to 45 minutes late — we’re in the third inning. He’s so nonchalant, shaking people’s hands in the parking lot, and now he’s the first one up to bat with his shoes barely tied, and the first pitch he smacks a double off the wall. And that’s Kyler Murray in a nutshell … Oh, and we won the game. He hit a homer later. Murray’s high school career will go down as one of, if not the best of all, time in Texas. But if it weren’t for one man, his father, he may have never reached his full potential.
CIRCLE continued on page 15
HEISMAN EDITION
December 10, 2018 •
15
CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY
CHAPTER 3
KYLER THE SON
Kevin Murray was a standout quarterback and baseball player at Texas A&M from 1983 to 1987. After suffering a serious ankle injury during his career at A&M and a short stint in the NFL, Kevin became a well-known QB coach in Texas. PIERCE: I kind of knew who (Kyler) was because of his dad … His dad now trains my little brother. Kind of funny how it all works out. KOROMA: We love Coach Kevin. He believes in Kyler so much. It’s all love over there. GUYTON: I don’t think anybody’s relationship with their father should be underestimated. I think Kevin is not only the reason Kyler has been able to find success, but also someone like me. He was able to pour so
to coach, he was able to put on that coaching hat, and Kyler was able to learn. His dad has trained him to a T. PIERCE: Him and his dad are pretty tight, man. They’re all business. That’s where he gets a lot of his success. COACH FLEENER: Kevin gave him the opportunities and has that mentality, but he never pushed it on Kyler. He’s just one of those special kids that’s wired a different way. From 4 years old, he’s wanted to be the best, and he’s willing to do the work to get there. It was Kyler that said, “Dad, let’s go throw, let’s go hit some balls.” KOROMA: I’d say he gets all of his confidence from his abilities. C OAC H F L E E N E R : I g ot lucky to be extremely close with
him and his family. The one thing I will say Kyler did learn from Kevin is that circle of trust. He keeps his circle extremely tight as far as who he’s friends with, who he opens up with.
right before signing day, it was a little too much, too fast. Little too much ground to make up. So he went ahead and signed with A&M. Left it on good terms. COACH FLEENER: I said, “What do you want to do? What are you thinking?” He said, “I want to be a professional player, but I’m not done playing football. I’m 17 years old, and if I sign, they’re going to send me to rookie ball in June in the middle of nowhere, riding buses with guys that I don’t know, playing in front of 200 people and staying in cheap hotels … Or, I can go to A&M and play in front of 100,000 people in a game I still love and still play baseball … It’s a no-brainer to me.”
to get out of there, I figured it was the best decision for him. EVANS: I told him to go somewhere he’d a get a chance to show what he can do.
pretty quickly after that, and his family. Got through the things we needed to get through. It happened in a matter of days.
Mu r ray c h o s e hi s f at h e r ’s alma mater. But after a tumultuous freshman season in which Murray started only three games and played in eight, he decided to transfer.
Mayfield was awarded another year of eligibility by the Big 12 for the 2017 season, after having to sit out the 2014 season due to transfer rules.
much into me. OLOOTU JR.: He gets a lot of his competitiveness from (Kevin) … This summer, we w e re t h row i n g t h e f o o t b a l l around with Antonio Brown and Marquise Brown, and his dad got out there and started throwing some routes, saying, “I still got it.” It’s just in their blood. Kev in has play ed a major role in Murray’s life. He trained Murray as a kid, along with many other quarterbacks. He’s trained guys like former Baylor quarterback Seth Russell, current Purdue quarterback David Blough and Highland Park’s rising star quarterback Chandler Morris, son of Arkansas head coach Chad Morris. GUYTON: When it came time
After Murray transferred from Texas A&M to Oklahoma, and rumors spread Kevin had something to do with it, Kevin shut off all contact with the media. COACH FLEENER: I think Kevin gets a bad wrap because of the way he treats the media, but he wants everything to be about Kyler. He doesn’t want any publicity, he doesn’t want any credit for anything because he knows how hard Kyler has worked for so long. You’ll notice on Saturdays they never pan to him in the crowd … He’ll never
give them permission to do that because he wants the focus on Kyler. KOROMA: It’s all love over there. He wants the best for Kyler … and yeah, all parents are there to reassure you that you’re the best, and his dad thinks he’s the best, and, hell, he might be. COACH FLEENER: I used to not do a single interview before unless Kyler and Kevin gave me permission. But with how this season is going, Kevin has told me I’m good … I’m getting two calls a week. Kevin loves his son — no question about it. He believes he’s doing what’s best for Murray. And in the end, it was Murray’s decision to transfer, and man, did it pay off.
CHAPTER 4
KYLER THE TRANSFER
Murray was rated as one of the top recruits in the country out of high school. ESPN rated him as the No. 1 dual-threat QB in the country. But he also had a decision to make: football or baseball? Or both? MLB scouts visited Murray throughout his senior year, wondering if the two-sport athlete would choose baseball while the football letters continued to stack up. HOOGERWERF: I pretty much came in at halftime of every game my senior year, and that was cool for me because I got a bunch of playing time in front of (Division I) scouts … The coaches would always put our letters on top our lockers, and my locker was next to Kyler’s, so I would always come in early and slide all his letters to my locker … He didn’t buy it. KOROMA: I felt like it didn’t really matter where he went because honestly he felt, and I felt, that he would make that team great. I remember he would throw teams out to me and I’d be like, “Them too?” And he’d say, “Yeah, why not?” He was confident that no matter where he went, he would make them a better team. COACH LINCOLN RILEY: Had a couple of good phone conversations. Ended up going down to Allen and met with him, had a really good meeting, hit it off. But,
PIERCE: There was a lot going on there, with Sumlin and everything else. I don’t think there was a lot of communication … He was probably looking for a little bit more transparency. KOROMA: I’m biased because I played with him and I think he’s great, so when he wasn’t playing at times, I was shocked, I was hurt. So when he told me he was going
Murray announced his decision to transfer from Texas A&M on Dec. 17, 2015 — 14 days before Oklahoma played Clemson in the College Football Playoff. The Sooners were one of the first schools that came to mind for Fleener, with Baker Mayfield — at the time — having only one eligible season remaining. COACH FLEENER: I figured, with Baker leaving soon, that Oklahoma would be a good fit.
COACH RILEY: One of his former coaches in high school called me to let me know he was going to leave, and they had a release and asked me if we would be interested. I told him we would be. COACH FLEENER: I called Lincoln and said, “I’ve got a hypothetical question for you.” Lincoln said “Yes” before I could even ask the question. COACH RILEY: (I) talked to Kyler
His decision was mostly kept secret, but a couple people closest to him may have known earlier than everyone else. HOOGERWERF: I don’t think he really talked to anybody about it just to keep it under wraps. OLOOTU JR.: I didn’t have any effect on the decision. I really didn’t know much about it. HOOGERWERF: Steele might have known. PIERCE: I’m sure Steele had a little bit to do with it. STEELE WALKER: I’d like to think I had a small part in him ending up at OU. Walker has known Murray since the age of 12, both having played on the same baseball team nearly their entire lives. One week later, on Christmas Eve, Sooner Nation officially received an early Christmas present: one of the top quarterbacks in the country. EVANS: He told me over the phone. WALKER: I got a text. LEE MORRIS: I got an ESPN notification and a text … We talked
about the offense together and how it was going to be. Olootu Jr.: He basically told me, “I’m getting ready to move, getting ready to move to Oklahoma.” I don’t ever question Kyler. I knew he had a good reason. GUYTON: I just remember thinking, “I hope he can get on the field ASAP,” because I knew as soon as he hit the field, it was lights out. OLOOTU JR.: Growing up, seeing him play, you knew that guy was going to do some damage. It was more of a matter of when and where than if. WESTERBERG: I thought all along he gives (Oklahoma) so much — all the things that he can do, throwing the football and adding the run game to it, also. I think he’s pretty much what everybody’s looking for. KOROMA: I’m a fan — I couldn’t wait for him to play. He knew his time would come. Murray’s career has taken off while at Oklahoma. While he had to sit out a year and play backup to 2017 Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield, Murray has taken full advantage of what is likely his final season of football… or is it?
CIRCLE continued on page 16
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HEISMAN EDITION
• December 10, 2018
PAXSON HAWS/THE DAILY
CHAPTER 5
KYLER THE (BLANK) PLAYER
When Murray was taken No. 9 overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2018 MLB Draft, everyone assumed Murray’s final season of playing football would come in 2018. But those close to him have a feeling 2018 may not be the last we see of Murray the football player. WALKER: He’s joked around a little bit about that with me. COACH RILEY: Is he one of the best athletes I’ve ever coached? He’s up there. OLOOTU JR.: Do both NFL and MLB? Yeah. If he wants to do both, he could do it — no question. KOROMA: If anyone could do it,
it’s Kyler. HOOGERWERF: I’m sure he’d love to do that, being the competitor that he is. He would love to be a Bo Jackson or something like that … I think he has the skill set and work ethic to do that. COACH FLEENER: He loves the game. I always laugh when people say this is his last year. I’ll believe it when I see it. With that kid, and knowing people have done it in the past, I wouldn’t put anything past him. In his two seasons at Oklahoma on the baseball field, Murray had a batting average of .261, 10 home
runs and 53 RBI. He started 50 games his junior year. In his first season as the starting quarterback at Oklahoma, Murray has taken the college football world by storm, becoming one of the frontrunners for, and ultimately winning, the Heisman Trophy. COACH RILEY: I know he can play in the NFL. There’s no doubt about that. PIERCE: Knowing Kyler, he probably thinks he’s going to be the Heisman Trophy winner and a starting NFL quarterback while playing baseball. ADAMS: I don’t know what his
plans are, but I know he could do it easily. KOROMA: I hope and I wish — I’m selfish — that I get to keep watching him play football. But I know whatever he’s got planned is great and the best for his future. COACH FLEENER: It’s different today — he has to be smart about the money and safety in baseball. He’s so much more seasoned of an athlete. But I will say this: as much as I’ve seen him play football and baseball, that energy that he gets on a Saturday afternoon in front of 100,000 people and on national television, that’s where you see him be him.
WALKER: Right now, he’s a football player and he’s loving it. He’s all in. KOROMA: When I talked to him about it, he said he had a plan and that everything was going to work out. Murray’s decision will be made soon — sometime following the season — and it may already be decided. Surely, his “circle of trust” will know first.
CIRCLE continued on page 17
HEISMAN EDITION
December 10, 2018 •
17
CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY
CHAPTER 6
KYLER THE MYSTERIOUS
His entire life, Murray has surrounded himself with the people he trusts the most: family, friends, teammates and coaches. If you’re not in the circle, he may come off as cocky or closed-off, but that’s not the case. WALKER: You’ve got his boys from Allen, and his teammates today and, of course, his family. P I E R C E : He was one of the homies. He’s a likeable guy, just a laid-back guy. HOOGERWERF: Kyler has an interesting personality. I would describe him as “reserved.” He definitely has an inner group of his dudes, and if you’re in that, he’s incredibly loyal … There’s a bond that can’t be broken.
COACH FLEENER: He’s very careful about what he says in public and around the media. In this day and time, anything you say can be taken a different way. So he’s very careful about what he says publicly. If you ask anybody that’s been a teammate of his, they’re going to say he’s the best teammate they ever had. GUYTON: He’s just like anybody else — if he doesn’t know you, if he’s not comfortable with you, he’s not going to show too much of himself. But when he’s with people he knows and that he’s comfortable with, he’s a chill dude. WALKER: By no means is he a “loner,” but it can appear that way sometimes. But that’s not the
case. The dude has a great personality, outgoing, loves me, loves my family. He’s really an extension of my family. CARTER: If you don’t know him like that — I know a lot of people think he’s conceited, but honestly, he just doesn’t open up to a lot of people if you don’t know him. There’s a few people like (Olootu Jr.) and (Koroma) that know him better than anyone. OLOOTU JR.: That’s my guy. We talk all the time. KOROMA: He was smart from day one. He knew he should surround himself with good people. He had a plan, a goal in mind, and I think that’s really impressive for him to have that maturity at such a young age to keep those closest
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to him in his circle. Murray’s circle has changed over the years. But with each phone call, three names continuously come up: Koroma, Olootu Jr. and Walker. WALKER: He keeps the circle small. The (number of ) people he trusts is small. But that’s not a bad thing. He’s one of the funnier dudes you’ll ever meet, but not everyone gets to see that. He’s very focused and knows where he wants to go in life. OLOOTU JR.: I feel like I only got one side of it, because yeah, he’s always around me and his friends, so we know him real well. I’m sure he has other people that I don’t
know that have that same close connection with him. KOROMA: He’s a pretty big deal. He can’t just be hanging out with anybody and everybody. You can’t trust everybody. You don’t know other people’s agendas. It’s not so much that he’s cocky or anything like that, he just wants to keep his circle small … I think he’s just always been very mature. In the back of his head, he always knew he was going to be great. We just didn’t know it yet. Now we know. George Stoia
georgestoia@ou.edu
• December 10, 2018
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JORDAN MILLER AND CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY
18 HEISMAN EDITION
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CONGRATULATIONS to Kyler Murray and the University of Oklahoma football program for winning the highest individual honor in college football for the seventh time in program history!
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