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(Photo by Jay Beauchamp)

By Michael Kinney

At 5-foot-10, Oklahoma Kyler Murray wouldn’t be considered an NFL prospect by most observers. Even if he wasn’t destined to take his talents to Major League Baseball, the Texas native would be considered too small to make it in the league.

However, don’t tell him that. Murray, who threw for 348 yards and three TDs against Iowa State, believes height is not a requirement to play the position. At any level.

“I don’t believe in those,” Murray said. “There are a lot of 6-foot-5 guys in the (NFL) that aren’t very good I feel like. If you can play quarterback, you can play quarterback. If you have the feel to play quarterback, then you can play it. Some guys have it, some guys don’t.”

The same mentality appears to be shared by wide receiver Marquise Brown.  Coming off his nine reception, 191-yard performance against Cyclones, Brown has continued to catch the attention of NFL teams. Despite only being listed at 5-foot 10, 168 pounds, he is proving he can play at the next level.

“Marquise is playing with a chip on his shoulder like all the other small guys,” Murray said of Brown. “Me, myself Baker (Mayfield). Every guy they say can’t play a position because their too small, you have to have that chip on your shoulder. That is something he has on his shoulder. He is trying to prove himself, obviously. For NFL scouts and things like that. He wants to play at the next level, just like anybody else does. He has to prove those things like come across the middle, catch competitive balls. Not just be a one trick pony type of guy. For scouts to think that he can do that or take a chance on him, a small guy, he has to do those things and he’s doing them all right now.”

 

Lack of catches

Through three games tight end Grant Calcatera has recorded six receptions for 70 yards.  He had two catches for 41 yards versus the Cyclones. It’s not the output many expected of the 6-foot-4, 221-pound sophomore heading into the season.

Everybody wants to get balls,” Calcatera said. “But at the end of the day, we’re winning every game. We’re executing, I’m blocking well. So when you’re not getting the ball all you can do is do everything else right. I think for me I just got to focus on my assignments every week. If balls come my way, they come my way. If they don’t, I’m going to continue to do my best to try and help the team any way I can.”

However, quarterback Kyler Murray said Calcatera’s time will come.

“Right now, he hasn’t caught a lot of balls yet,” Murray said. “But obviously, we have a lot of weapons. Which is kind of a blessing for me. For those guys, they sometimes might not get the ball as much as they like. But it’s a team game. We’re all in it for one reason and that’s to win. Defenses are going to key in on Marquise (Brown) and CeeDee (Lamb) and those guys. You can’t sleep on Grant. I’m glad we have him.”

Close to breaking a long one

Riley said tailback Trey Sermon is close to breaking a long run for a touchdown. Sermon agreed.

“I definitely feel that way,” Sermon said. “My offensive line does a great job and just every time I touch the ball I feel like it’s getting closer and closer.”

Sooners settle on starting center

After watching his two centers go back and forth for three games in and out of the starting lineup, offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh announced that redshirt freshman Creed Humphrey has won the starting job. Senior Jonathan Alvarez will be the back.

“It’s happened. We needed continuity at that spot,” Bedenbaugh said. “It’s happened and we’re going to move forward. Creed is going to be the guy. Yes he is.”

Michael Kinney is a Freelance Content Provider

Story appeared in The Yukon Review

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