Two-sport star Kyler Murray placed his name into the NFL draft on Monday with a simple statement on his Twitter account.
“I have declared for the NFL Draft,” Murray wrote in a tweet.
I have declared for the NFL Draft.
— Kyler Murray (@TheKylerMurray) January 14, 2019
The Heisman Trophy winner and Oklahoma quarterback has been pondering entering the draft ever since his football stock skyrocketed with his stellar campaign. Murray passed for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns against seven interceptions while also rushing for 1,001 yards and 12 scores.
Based on projections, he figures to be a high first-round pick in the NFL draft despite his listed height of 5-foot-10. It’s possible he could be the No. 1 overall pick.
Murray has 72 hours to pull out of the NFL draft after declaring.
Murray’s situation was complex as the Oakland Athletics drafted him ninth overall in June’s baseball draft. Murray signed a contract with $4.66 million up front under the proviso he could play the just-completed college football season.
In recent days, there was an effort to keep Murray out of the NFL, as Oakland was prepared to offer a guaranteed Major League Baseball contract that represents a significant increase over their initial agreement.
ESPN reported that Murray changed his circumstances by playing for Oklahoma, thus opening the door for the Athletics to place him on the 40-man roster with a major league deal.
Monday is the deadline for college football players to enter the draft. The final list of early entrants will be released to NFL teams on Friday.
–Field Level Media
