Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray edges out Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa for Heisman

NEW YORK >> Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray edged out Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa becoming the first player to take over for a departing Heisman Trophy winner and capture the iconic bronze trophy in the same season today.

Murray out-pointed Tagovailoa in balloting among more than 900 voters, 2,167 to 1,871, to succeed Sooner quarterback Baker Mayfield and become Oklahoma’s seventh Heisman winner.

Tagovailoa’s 1,871 points were the most received by a runner-up in then 84 years of the award. His 229 first-place votes were the third-highest for a runner-up.

Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins, the only other finalist, finished third.

Tagovailoa had hoped to follow in the footsteps of Oregon’s Marcus Mariota, a fellow Saint Louis School alum who won the 2014 Heisman. Only two high schools have produced multiple Heisman winners in the 84-year history of the Heisman,Woodrow Wilson High of Dallas and Mater Dei of Santa Ana, Calif. The latter’s were both quarterbacks, John Huarte (1964)and Matt Leinart (2004).

“I’ll have another opportunity to try (to win it) again next season,” said Tagovailoa, who was a true sophomore from Ewa Beach. “If I didn’t get it again next season, it is not the end of the world. Life goes on and you continue to play football.”

Tagovailoa said, “I mean, I can only handle what I can handle.” The rest he said, “is up to the voters. I’m just glad to be named one of the finalists with Dwayne (Haskins) and Kyler.”

Murray, a fourth-year junior, has signed a $4.66 million contract with Oakland, which made him the ninth overall pick in this year’s MLB Draft, and is scheduled to play for the A’s next year and have interest from the NFL.

Haskins, a third-year sophomore, is expected to opt for the NFL Draft.

“Tua had a spectacular season and it has been such a pleasure to share his Heisman experience with his family here in N.Y. regardless of the outcome,” said Saint Louis president Glenn Medeiros.

Alabama has had two Heisman Trophy winners and eight finalists but has yet to have one of its quarterbacks win it. Tagovailoa was seen as the Crimson Tide’s best chance at the position and was the presumptive leader this season from early September.

But with Murray closing the gap, Tagovailoa suffered two ankle injuries and his worst performance in the Southeastern Conference Championship game against Georgia. With Tagovailoa out of the game, Jalen Hurts rallied the Crimson Tide to victory and Murray lead Oklahoma to the Big 12 title.