Category: Sooners in NFL

Kyler Murray continues to lobby for CeeDee Lamb to be Arizona’s first pick

Former Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray has lobbied for Cardinals GM Steve Kiem to draft a host of offensive weapons. 

With the 2020 NFL Draft coming up, former Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray has lobbied for Cardinals GM Steve Kiem to draft a host of offensive weapons, which could include former Sooner teammate CeeDee Lamb.

Murray earned Offensive Rookie of the Year in the 2019 season, throwing for  3,722 yards and 20 touchdowns on 64.4% completion. He also amassed 544 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

Despite an impressive season from their rookie QB, the Cardinals finished 21st in the league in yards per game, prompting Murray to ask for more offensive weapons.

The Cardinals currently have the No. 8 overall pick in the draft, and Murray has apparently been asking Kiem to reunite him with Lamb.

“Kyler has lobbied for CeeDee Lamb, he’s lobbied for four or five OL, a RB and a tight end.” Kiem said. “He hasn’t once said anything to me about defensive players so I’m not sure he’s a guy I’m going to hang my hat on when it comes to draft day.’’

Despite trading for star receiver DeAndre Hopkins in the offseason, the Cardinals could still nab Lamb with their eighth pick to add even more depth to what was a shaky receiver corps last season.

The draft will take place on April 24 at 7 p.m. It has moved to a completely online format due to the coronavirus.

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Former Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray donates $25K to provide meals for children amid coronavirus

Former Oklahoma quarterback and No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2019 draft is making an impact off the field as much as he is off the field.

Former Oklahoma quarterback and No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2019 draft is making an impact off the field as much as he is off the field.

Per a report obtained by ProFootballTalk, Murray donated $25,000 to GENYOUthnow to support their COVID-19 Emergency School Nutrition Fund. Murray joins fellow former Sooner quarterback Baker Mayfield in the fight against the coronavirus as well as Arizona Cardinals teammate Chandler Jones and the organization itself.

In a release with the announcement of his donation, Murray’s $25,000 will help over 5,000 children receive meals that depend on school-provided meals each week.

In his lone season as the Sooners starting quarterback, Murray threw for 4,720 yards, 45 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions while rushing for 1,143 yards and another 12 touchdowns.

Murray became the seventh Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma while the Sooners became just the third team to be awarded back-to-back Heisman Trophy winners, following Baker Mayfield’s 2017 Heisman with one of his own in 2018.

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Kenneth Murray discusses upbringing in interview with Dallas Cowboys

In a pre-draft teleconference, Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray opened up about a moment that forged him into the player he is today.

In a pre-draft interview with the Cowboys, Oklahoma linebacker and NFL prospect Kenneth Murray opened up about a moment that forged him into the player he is today.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones asked a question he said he asks often in interviews: “If you can call up a setback… What do you think gave you a lot of the setbacks, or the controversy or the challenge that might’ve helped you be the football player you are?”

Murray’s answer was unique.

“Around the age of 11 my parents adopted three special needs kids.” Murray said. “It was kind of a unique situation for us. The disease that they had was extremely, extremely rare. Only one other set of children had it in the world. So that pushed my parents into more than 25, 30 doctors appointments a week just to be able to be able to get the kids the proper help that they need to get them started and get them help that they need.”

His siblings, James, Lenny and James entered his household when he was 10 years old. 

“My parents were leaning on me a lot given that I was the oldest,” Murray said. “I was the kid, my parents, anytime they needed anything, anytime things should be done, I was the oldest child. I was the one everybody was looking to.”

Fast-forwarding years later, Murray was commandeering a rising Sooner defense, one that saw strides under Alex Grinch’s off-field, and the linebacker on-field leadership.

“I wouldn’t say it was a setback, I’d say it was a blessing.” Murray continued. “At that age, it forced me to be what you guys see on the field right now. The product of a kid that’s a go-getter, the product of a kid that just goes out and just gets it for himself.”

Murray is now in the draft process. He started three seasons at Oklahoma, amassing 335 tackles, nine sacks and 37 for loss. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, prospects are forced to do online interviews. The NFL Draft will be moved to a virtual format as well.

Jones said what most were thinking following Murray’s touching story. “Kenneth, that’s strong. Thank you.”

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Lincoln Riley expects a bounce back season for Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield

One of the more national sports stories that remains is the constant cycle if the Cleveland Browns will ever be good again. 

One of the more national sports stories that remains is the constant cycle if the Cleveland Browns will ever be good again.

Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield gave Browns’ fans hope in 2018, about taking them from another horrible start to an NFL Playoff push by the end of the season. Then, things changed in 2019.

Mayfield struggled in his sophomore NFL campaign, having the worst overall season maybe in his life. He threw 21 interceptions to his 20 touchdowns and his completion percentage fell below 60 percent at 59.4 percent.

Cleveland hit another reset button, but this time only with the head coach and general manager. The Browns hired Minnesota Vikings’ offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski to be their head coach, who got the most out of quarterbacks Case Keenum and Kirk Cousins. Andrew Berry is the new general manager, who is the youngest general manager in the NFL and has been with Cleveland in a smaller role since 2016.

Lincoln Riley was on First Take Monday and was asked about Mayfield’s down year and the year to come.

“Honestly I think it’s a lot of things we just covered in why we have had some of the success we’ve had here at Oklahoma—it takes a lot,” Riley said. “And I think Baker would be the first to admit, and he has, he knows he’s got to play better and he will. But I think having an organized surrounding cast around you, guys the are healthy, the system fits—it takes everything. And if one little part is off whether it’s another player, somebody being hurt, a scheme that doesn’t fit—whatever, if any part of it is off, it’s going to show, especially at that level.

“I know the kind of competitor and player that he is and I know he’s hungry. He’s had a tremendous offseason so far. I know he’s very excited about the new staff coming and having the continuity with some of these players, especially his receivers coming back. I would expect for him to do what he’s always done anytime he’s got knocked down, which is he gets back up and he fights and he normally finds a way to win.”

Mayfield and Riley won three-straight Big 12 Championships together, made two College Football Playoff appearances and finished in New York for the Heisman Trophy twice before winning the prestigious award in 2017. Oklahoma’s offense set records in 2017 with Mayfield setting the new bar for quarterback efficiency in college football.

The Cleveland Browns have a chance to bolster their offensive line the 2020 NFL Draft around its star-studded skill roster. President Trump voiced confidence to professional sports commissioners on Saturday that he expects the NFL to start on time in Sept.

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Baker Mayfield, other Oklahoma players named best player to wear their number per The Athletic

Oklahoma tops the list at four numbers and earned 38 honorable mentions on the world-class list.

With the entire world on hold, it has given us time to reflect on the past. The Athletic embraced debate and decided to compile a list of the best players to ever wear each jersey number, 1-99.

Oklahoma tops the list at four numbers and earned 38 honorable mentions on the world-class list.

Baker Mayfield earns the spot for No. 6. The 2017 Heisman Trophy winner and 2018 No. 1 pick began his career as a walk-on. Twice. He was three-for-three on Big 12 championships as a starter at Oklahoma and was a Heisman vote-getter in three consecutive seasons.

Two-time All-American and two-time national champion running back Tommy McDonald ranks as the best to ever wear No. 25. In 31 games under coach Bud Wilkinson, McDonald rushed for 1,696 yards, gained 420 yards through the air, and finished his career with 35 total touchdowns.

Newly appointed College Football Hall of Fame member Rickey Dixon is remembered as the best to wear No. 29. Dixon was a Jim Thorpe Award winner and an All-American at the safety position in 1987. A true ball hawk, Dixon snagged eight of his 16 career interceptions in his 1987 season.

The second Sooner to ever win a Heiman Trophy, Steve Owens is synonymous with No. 36. With back-to-back seasons (1968-69) of 1,500+ yard rushing seasons, Owens had one of the most elite careers not just in Oklahoma history, but college football history. Owens ended his career just under 4,000 yards rushing in 31 games (3,928) and a remarkable 59 touchdowns.

Honorable mentions:  Kyler Murray (No. 1), Derrick Strait (No. 2), Marquise Brown (No. 5), Tedy Lehman & Dede Westbrook (No. 11), Sam Bradford & Josh Heupel (No. 14), Jason White (No. 18), Billy Sims (No. 20), Joe Washington (No. 24), Adrian Peterson & George Cumby (No. 28), Gregg Pruitt (No. 30), Samaje Perine (No. 32), Billy Vessels (No. 35), Roy Williams (No. 38), Leon Heath (No. 40), Rod Shoate (No. 43), Brian Bosworth (No. 44), Kurt Burris (No. 51), Jerry Tubbs (No. 53), Tom Brahaney (No. 54), Jammal Brown (No. 55), J.D. Roberts (No. 64), Greg Roberts & Bill Krisher (No. 65), Granville Liggins (No. 66), Anthony Phillips (No. 68), Orlando Brown Jr. (No. 78), Mark Hutson (No. 79), Rick Bryan (No. 80), Ryan Broyles (No. 85), Keith Jackson (No. 88), Dewey Selmon (No. 91), Tony Casillas (No. 92),  Lee Roy Selmon & Gerald McCoy (No. 93), Tommie Harris (No. 97)

Former Oklahoma lineman Daryl Williams signs deal with Buffalo Bills

A pre-Lincoln Riley Era and one from under the tutelage of Riley will be teammates in Buffalo. Daryl Williams signed with the Buffalo Bills.

A pre-Lincoln Riley Era and one from under the tutelage of Riley will be teammates in Buffalo.

The Buffalo Bills announced on Thursday afternoon that former Oklahoma offensive lineman Daryl Williams has signed a one-year deal with the franchise.

Williams got to Oklahoma in 2010 and became a starter by the ’12 season. He started for current offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh during his first two years in 2013 and ’14. The Lake Dallas, Texas, product was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

The former Sooner offensive lineman played both guard positions and at right tackle for the Panthers during his five years with the team. Williams will join Cody Ford in Buffalo, who is coming off a rookie season where he started in 15 of 16 games he played.

With the Panthers, he earned second-team All-Pro in 2017 and was a part of the 2015 team that went to the Super Bowl. During his time at Oklahoma, Williams was a part of the offensive line that helped Samaje Perine break the NCAA single-game rushing record with 427 yards.

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Baker Mayfield makes $50K donation to Greater Cleveland Food Bank

With coronavirus (COVID-19) forcing closures of nearly everything in the state of Ohio, Baker Mayfield is doing what he can to help…

With coronavirus (COVID-19) forcing closures of nearly everything in the state of Ohio, Baker Mayfield is doing what he can to help those in need.

Mayfield posted a video with his wife, Emily, on his social media with the announcement.

“There’s so many great people in Cleveland, so many great organizations,” Mayfield said. “It’s a point for us that we want to give back, we want to help out in any way we can.”

Mayfield also urged others to give if they can and that he and Emily will match anything given to the Greater Cleveland Foodbank up to $50,000 for a potential total of $100,000.

The 2017 Heisman Trophy winner was the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Browns. In his three-year career at Oklahoma, Mayfield completed 69.8% of his passes, throwing for 12,292 yards and 119 passing touchdowns. He also logged 18 more touchdowns on the ground and one receiving touchdown giving him a career total at Oklahoma of 138 touchdowns in 40 games.

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Former Oklahoma DT Gerald McCoy, Cowboys agree to three-year deal

Former Sooners’ defensive tackle Gerald McCoy has agreed to a three-year contract with the Cowboys on Tuesday.

Former Sooners’ defensive tackle Gerald McCoy agreed to a three-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday. The deal is pending a physical.

After three years with the Sooners that included 14.5 sacks, McCoy has played 10 seasons in the NFL. After being drafted third in the 2010 draft, McCoy played nine years with the Buccaneers, totaling 54.5 sacks and earning Pro Bowl status six times. 

In his lone season with the Panthers, he finished with five sacks and 15 solo tackles. He signed a one-year, $10.25 million deal one year ago with Carolina.

Now with Dallas, McCoy will be closer to his hometown of Oklahoma City. On March 13, his son Marcellus Crutchfield followed in his father’s footsteps and committed to play for the Sooners.

McCoy joins Demarcus Lawrence, Tyrone Crawford, Maliek Collins, and Antwaun Woods on the Cowboys’ defensive front. The loss of Byron Jones in Dallas’ secondary and a few others over the course of NFL free agency, the Cowboys’ will look to bolster their roster with the upcoming NFL draft.

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Former Oklahoma defensive tackle Jordan Phillips signs deal with Arizona

Former Oklahoma defensive tackle Jordan Phillips is exchanging Niagra Falls and Bills Mafia for the desert and the Red Sea.

NFL free agency officially opens on Wednesday, but teams and players can agree to terms before putting pen to paper.

Former Oklahoma defensive tackle Jordan Phillips is exchanging Niagra Falls and Bills Mafia for the desert and the Red Sea.

Phillips, drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft by Miami, will be venturing outside of the AFC East for the first time in his career. With three and a half seasons with the Dolphins before being traded to the Bills four games into the 2018 season, Phillips is coming off the best season of his career.

In 2019, Phillips split starts with Bills rookie Ed Oliver. Getting nine of the 16 starts over Oliver, Phillips made the most of his time in the trenches securing 9.5 sacks, nearly doubling his career total.

In 35 starts and 76 games played Phillips has racked up 113 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 33 quarterback hits, a forced fumble, and an interception.

Details regarding Phillips’ deal have yet to be released, but the contract is reportedly set for three years.

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Kenneth Murray will not be a participant at Oklahoma’s Pro Day

Kenneth Murray will not be a participant at Oklahoma’s Pro Day tomorrow.

Kenneth Murray will not be a participant at Oklahoma’s Pro Day tomorrow.

The projected first-round linebacker tweaked his hamstring while running the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine just two weeks ago.

Before pulling his hamstring, Murray posted solid numbers to keep him in the first round range and maybe become the first linebacker taken overall. Murray ran a 4.52 40-yard dash on his first go for sixth-best out of the linebacking group before pulling up on his second attempt. He was also sixth-best in the vertical jump at 38 inches and was third-best among linebackers with a 10-foot-9-inch broad jump.

Although unable to participate in on-field drills following the hamstring injury, Murray impressed most off the field. One anonymous NFL general manager said that Murray’s interview was the “single greatest combine interview I ever had.” High praise for the former Sooner has moved Murray up draft boards around the league. Projected as a first-rounder, Murray has slid up from the back end of the first to the middle of the pack in the first round due to his athleticism and wits.

At Oklahoma in his junior season, the star linebacker recorded 102 tackles of his 325 career tackles. Finishing his Sooners career with 36.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, six pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.

Scheduled participants for Oklahoma’s Pro Day are WR Nick Basquine, DL Dillon Faamatau, DL Neville Gallimore, S Kahlil Haughton, QB Jalen Hurts, WR CeeDee Lamb, DL Kenneth Mann, WR A.D. Miller, WR Lee Morris, CB Parnell Motley, DL Marquise Overton, OL R.J. Proctor, and RB Marcelias Sutton.

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