It’s a very merry Christmas indeed for the Oklahoma Sooners. They’re preparing for their first appearance in the College Football Playoff, in the Orange Bowl against Clemson on Dec. 31, and they also just landed former Texas A&M quarterback Kyler Murray as a transfer. Murray, a five-star recruit according to 247 Sports’ composite rankings, is the third highly-touted quarterback to leave the Aggies in the last two years, adding to that program’s instability. However, their loss could well be Oklahoma’s gain.
Murray, the former National Gatorade Football Player of the Year out of high school in Allen, Texas, played in nine games for the Aggies this season, starting three, and he threw for 686 yards and five touchdowns. He did have seven interceptions, so that’s a concern, but he’s effective with his feet, too, picking up 335 rushing yards. His stellar debut in a 35-28 Week Nine win over South Carolina saw him named the SEC Freshman of the Week after completing 20 of 28 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 156 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. He was also named to the SEC All-Freshman Team this year despite his limited playing time, and he was set to start for the Aggies in the Holiday Bowl before deciding to transfer.
Murray could wind up becoming quite a weapon for Bob Stoops and Oklahoma. He’ll have to redshirt this coming season, but could be effective beginning in 2017. That’s when current starter Baker Mayfield is out of eligibility, so this move could work out well for Murray. He’s certainly an impressive addition for the Sooners, and perhaps their prominence in the playoff led to his decision. Regardless of why Murray picked them, bringing him in should be a very nice Christmas present indeed.
