Kyler Murray, the ninth overall selection by the A's in this year's MLB Draft, was named Oklahoma's starting quarterback on Wednesday for the school's season opener against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 1.
The center fielder, who rates as the A's No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, will play for the Sooners this fall before beginning his professional baseball career with the A's.
Murray, a redshirt junior, was the backup quarterback for Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield last season as the Sooners went 12-2 en route to a third consecutive Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff berth, eventually losing to Georgia in the Rose Bowl. Mayfield went first overall to the Cleveland Browns in April's NFL Draft, clearing the way for Murray, who beat out redshirt sophomore Austin Kendall for the starting quarterback job.
"Kyler did a really nice job in camp," Oklahoma head football coach Lincoln Riley said in a statement on the team's website. "It was really a great competition between Austin and him, one that we carried on longer than maybe even we expected because of how well both guys played. ... We're excited for Kyler and his opportunity, and the team looks forward to getting ready for FAU."
In limited action last season, Murray threw for 359 yards and three touchdowns without an interception on 18-for-21 passing. He also rushed 14 times for 142 yards. In the spring, he hit. 296 with 10 homers and 47 RBIs in 51 games for the Sooners' baseball team.
A five-star football recruit out of Allen (Texas) High School, Murray also drew first-round interest as a prep baseball prospect but opted to play both sports at Texas A&M, where his father, Kevin Murray, -- a former Brewers Minor Leaguer -- also played quarterback. Murray transferred to Oklahoma after his freshman season and sat out the 2016 campaign before backing up Mayfield last fall.