For the second straight season, an Oklahoma Sooner quarterback has taken home the Heisman Trophy, which could be the start of a successful holiday season for the program. Kyler Murray was named the winner on Saturday night, beating out Dwayne Haskins of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Tua Tagovailoa of the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. Murray got the honors after throwing for over 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns, all to become the seventh player in program history to win the award, tying the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Ohio State for the most by a school in history. Murray took over the starter role from Baker Mayfield, who won last year's award before getting drafted No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Browns in the NFL Draft.
Tagovailoa finished in second place, with Haskins in third, as Murray received 2,167 points, which was 296 more than the Alabama quarterback. Haskins did not even break 1,000 in that poll, finishing with 783 in the voting. Tagovailoa had been the favorite for most of the season, and after they revealed the finalists, but Murray reportedly took the edge earlier this week.
These past two seasons marks the first time since 1945 and 1946 that two players from the same program won the award in consecutive seasons. This does not count Reggie Bush, who won it in 2005 one season after his USC teammate, Matt Leinart, the year prior. Bush's Heisman Trophy has since been taken away from him.
Mayfield reached out to Murray on social media, posting on Instagram "AND THATS WHAT WE CALL BACK TO BACK, YOU DESERVE IT K1." Star baseball free agent Bryce Harper texted Murray congratulations, as the quarterback also received a gift from Mayfield while in New York.
Interestingly enough, the Oakland Athletics also sent out a congratulations message to Murray on Twitter, as it remains to be seen if he will pursue football or baseball. The A's drafted Murray ninth overall in this year's MLB Draft, and he went on to agree to a $4.66 million signing bonus. He is represent by agent Scott Boras. The Sooners quarterback will now focus in on his College Football Playoff matchup against the Tide, and from there, the top-10 pick and Heisman Trophy winner seemingly controls his own destiny on where he wants to excel.
Tagovailoa finished in second place, with Haskins in third, as Murray received 2,167 points, which was 296 more than the Alabama quarterback. Haskins did not even break 1,000 in that poll, finishing with 783 in the voting. Tagovailoa had been the favorite for most of the season, and after they revealed the finalists, but Murray reportedly took the edge earlier this week.
These past two seasons marks the first time since 1945 and 1946 that two players from the same program won the award in consecutive seasons. This does not count Reggie Bush, who won it in 2005 one season after his USC teammate, Matt Leinart, the year prior. Bush's Heisman Trophy has since been taken away from him.
Mayfield reached out to Murray on social media, posting on Instagram "AND THATS WHAT WE CALL BACK TO BACK, YOU DESERVE IT K1." Star baseball free agent Bryce Harper texted Murray congratulations, as the quarterback also received a gift from Mayfield while in New York.
Interestingly enough, the Oakland Athletics also sent out a congratulations message to Murray on Twitter, as it remains to be seen if he will pursue football or baseball. The A's drafted Murray ninth overall in this year's MLB Draft, and he went on to agree to a $4.66 million signing bonus. He is represent by agent Scott Boras. The Sooners quarterback will now focus in on his College Football Playoff matchup against the Tide, and from there, the top-10 pick and Heisman Trophy winner seemingly controls his own destiny on where he wants to excel.
