Category: Sooners in NFL

Oklahoma’s Damien Williams, Blake Bell, James Winchester punch ticket to Super Bowl LIV

Three Sooners have made it to the pinnacle of football. Damien Williams, Blake Bell and James Winchester are heading to the Super Bowl.

Three Oklahoma players have made it to the pinnacle of football.

The Kansas City Chiefs just defeated the Tennessee Titans 35-24 in the AFC Championship to secure their spot in Super Bowl LIV. Former Oklahoma running back Damien Williams, quarterback and tight end Blake Bell as well as former longsnapper James Winchester are members of the Chiefs heading to the Super Bowl.

Williams has been a big factor in this Kansas City run the last two seasons. He is averaging two touchdowns per playoff game for the Chiefs in the two playoff runs, including one on Sunday to help Kansas City get to Miami for the Super Bowl.

Bell caught his first career touchdown pass against the Houston Texans last week in the Chiefs’ miraculous comeback from down 24-0 to win 51-31.

Winchester remains the starting long snapper for Kansas City.

Williams and Bell live in Oklahoma lore for huge performances and moments. Williams for his 95-yard run against Texas in the 2012 OU-Texas and Bell for his Belldozer running package and big-time late game performance in the 2013 Bedlam at quarterback.

The Kansas City Chiefs will take on the winner of the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV on Feb. 2.

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Kyler Murray believes he could take on NFL, MLB at the same time

After a terrific rookie season in the NFL, one that could possibly even yield a Rookie of the Year award, Murray might still have his sights set on a feat few before him have attempted. 

After a terrific rookie season in the NFL, one that might even yield a Rookie of the Year award, Kyler Murray might still have his sights set on a feat few before him have attempted.

Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders have most famously crossed over from professional football into baseball, and Murray could see himself on that list soon enough.

“I think I could,” he told the Arizona Republic. “Athletically, I think, yeah. I could do it. I’ve been playing both my whole life. I would love to add to that resume.”

Anyone that’s seen the 5’10” speedster play will have a hard time doubting his ability as well.

At Oklahoma, Murray ran wild on his way to the Heisman trophy. He threw for 4,361 passing yards on just under 70% completion and ran for 1,001 yards on 7.2 yard per carry, all while holding the title of 9th overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft. He was selected by the Athletics, earning himself a $4.66 million signing bonus.

“I don’t understand why in sports they try to marginalize it,” Murray told the Republic. “They try to make you pick one and I get it, but we’ll see. I think it would be fun. Right now, though, I’m just focused on football.”

In his rookie season with the Cardinals, he threw for 3,722 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while running for 544 yards and four touchdowns.

Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray announced intentions to enter the NFL Draft

Oklahoma’s defensive leader is heading to the NFL. Linebacker Kenneth Murray announced his intentions to forgo his senior season and head to the NFL. The Decision…1 Thessalonians 5:24 #K9 pic.twitter.com/80gOrB0mRS – Kenneth Murray (@Kmurrayy_9) …

Oklahoma’s defensive leader is heading to the NFL.

Linebacker Kenneth Murray announced his intentions to forgo his senior season and head to the NFL.

“To Sooner Nation, there is truly no fan base like you. You have given me memories that will last a lifetime,” Murray said in a video. “I will always miss playing in the ‘Palace’ on Saturday’s. There is truly no place like it.”

Murray thanked former coach Bob Stoops, Lincoln Riley, linebacker coach Brian Odom and defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.

In his three years manning the Sooner defense Murray racked up 335 total tackles in 42 career starts. His 37 tackles for loss and nine sacks over the past three seasons have helped him accrue a late first-round or early second-round draft grade from multiple NFL mock drafts.

The NFL Draft begins on April 23 from Paradise, Nevada. Murray could become the first Oklahoma linebacker taken in the first two rounds since Teddy Lehman in 2004 (Second round, pick 37 overall).

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Kyler Murray outduels Baker Mayfield in first matchup of former Oklahoma teammates, Heisman Trophy winners

Bragging rights were there for the taking, and bragging rights were won. Kyler Murray beat Baker Mayfield handily in first matchup.

Bragging rights were there for the taking, and bragging rights were won.

Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals beat Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns handily, 38-24, snapping a six-game skid.

The former Oklahoma teammates played together in 2017 with Mayfield leading the Sooners to the 2017 College Football Playoff and Rose Bowl game while Murray waited in the wings. Murray followed suit of his predecessor—the 2018 Oklahoma team went to the 2018 College Football Playoff and made an Orange Bowl appearance.

Both won the Heisman Trophy in their respected seasons and went on to become No. 1 overall picks in their NFL Drafts.

In Sunday’s game, Murray and the Cardinals jumped out to an early 14-0 lead. Arizona’s signal-caller had an electric 35-yard run on the team’s second scoring drive to help the cause.

Mayfield and the Browns battled back to make it a 14-10 game midway through the second-quarter, but then were outscored 24-7 until the waning moments of the game when Mayfield found a Cleveland receiver for a touchdown.

During the third-quarter of the game, Murray set the Arizona Cardinals’ franchise record for rushing yards by a quarterback (501) on a five-yard run up the middle.

Murray had a solid outing on Sunday, going 19-for-25 through the air for 219 yards and a touchdown, but also added 56 yards with his feet. Mayfield went 30-for-43 for 247 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Both quarterbacks threw an interception.

Sunday’s matchup between the two college teammates and former No. 1 overall picks was the first such matchup since 1984 (Stanford’s John Elway, Jim Plunkett).

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Kyler Murray sets Arizona Cardinals franchise record for rushing yards by a quarterback

That didn’t take long. 14 games into Kyler Murray’s NFL career, the former Oklahoma quarterback has already set an Arizona franchise record.

That didn’t take long.

Fourteen games into Kyler Murray’s NFL career, the former Oklahoma quarterback has set the Arizona Cardinals’ franchise record for rushing yards by a quarterback.

Murray headed into Sunday’s game against former Oklahoma quarterback and teammate Baker Mayfield with 448 rushing yards through 13 games. In the third-quarter against the Cleveland Browns, a five-yard run put him over 501 on the season and for his career—which set the Cardinals’ franchise record for rushing yards by a quarterback.

The play the set the record, but in the first-quarter against Cleveland, Murray had an electric 35-yard run through the entire Browns’ defense.

In his 2018 Heisman winning season at Oklahoma, Murray rushed for 1001 yards and 12 touchdowns. He threw for 4,361 yards and accounted for 54 total touchdowns.

So far for the Arizona Cardinals in his rookie season, Murray has rushed for 503 yards and counting, thrown for 3,260 more and accounted for 21 total touchdowns.

Kyler Murray and Arizona currently lead Baker Mayfield and Cleveland 28-17 in the fourth-quarter.

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Most television markets won’t be able to watch Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray play

You won’t be able to watch Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray square off if you live in Oklahoma City or Tulsa TV markets, or most markets.

You won’t be able to watch Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray square off if you live in Oklahoma City or Tulsa TV markets.

Unlike most Cleveland Browns games, this week’s matchup will not be available locally unless you watch through NFL Sunday Ticket or catch highlights on NFL Redzone.

The Browns and Cardinals, being broadcasted on CBS, is only available in Arizona and Cleveland markets.

Instead of watching the past two Heisman Trophy winners who both won their Heisman’s at the University of Oklahoma, duke it out in their first NFL matchup, the Sooner State will be graced with Denver versus Kansas City on CBS at noon CT followed by a CBS Sports special featuring a bass fishing tournament at the conclusion of the Broncos and Chiefs game.

The 3:05p.m. CT kickoff can be viewed via NFL Sunday Ticket in its entirety or game highlights and red zone opportunities can be watched on NFL Redzone.

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Former Oklahoma tackle Lane Johnson reportedly agrees to record extension with Philadelphia Eagles

One of Oklahoma’s most successful NFL players is getting paid … a lot. Lane Johnson has agreed to a new extension with the Eagles.

One of Oklahoma’s most successful NFL players is getting paid … a lot.

Current Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson has agreed to a contract extension for four years and worth $72 million that has $54.595 million guaranteed, per a report. That pay-per-year and guarantee basis is the largest contract for an NFL offensive lineman ever.

Johnson started his college career at Kilgore College where he played quarterback and tight end. He got to Oklahoma in 2009 and started on the defensive side of the ball before making the move over to the offensive line in 2011.

He became the No. 4 overall pick in the 2013 draft, selected by the Philadelphia Eagles and has played with them ever since.

Johnson was a pivotal piece to the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII Championship team in the 2017-18 season. He has been selected to two Pro Bowl teams in 2017 and 2018.

During the offseason, the former Oklahoma tackle spends time back in Norman, Oklahoma, and has been a fixture at the Sooners’ spring game in April.

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WATCH Former Oklahoma tackle Bobby Evans celebrate, break out Los Angeles Rams after big win

Former Oklahoma offensive lineman Bobby Evans had himself a day on Sunday for the Rams, and finished it with breaking out the Los Angeles Rams.

Former Oklahoma offensive lineman Bobby Evans had himself a day on Sunday for the Rams, and earned himself the honor of breaking out the team.

Evans was a three-year starter at Oklahoma, and was a vital part of a unit that won the 2018 Joe Moore award, the award for the best offensive line in the country.

Los Angeles drafted Evans in the third round of the last draft, 97th overall.

In his first ever start at right tackle, due to starter Rob Havenstein suffering a knee injury, Evans had the tall task of fending off NFL star Khalil Mack.

Evans did a phenomenal job, not allowing Mack to get to the quarterback. Along with his pass blocking, running back Todd Gurley ran for 97 yards and a touchdown behind the line in the 17-7 win over the Bears.

There is currently no timetable for Havenstein’s return from a knee injury, so for now the job looks to be Evans to lose.

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