Former Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray has made his decision and that is to play in the NFL rather than for the Oakland A’s in Major League Baseball.

In a message to fans, Murray wrote, “Moving forward, I am firmly and fully committing my life and time to becoming an NFL quarterback. Football has been my love and passion my entire life. I was raised to play QB, and I very much look forward to dedicating 100 percent of myself to being the best QB possible and winning NFL championships.

“I have started an extensive training program to further prepare myself for upcoming NFL workouts and interviews. I eagerly await the opportunity to continue to prove to NFL decision makers that I am the franchise QB in this draft.”

Murray, who won the Heisman Trophy in his first year as a starter for OU, was selected ninth overall by the Oakland Athletics. They agreed to let him play his junior year for the Sooners.  But Murray was so successful, NFL scouts began to speculate that he could be a first-round draft pick even though he is shorter (5-10) than the typical NFL quarterback.

Before his breakout season, Murray was projected to a star baseball player but considered too short to play NFL quarterback. The success of Russell Wilson of Seattle (5-11) and Drew Brees of New Orleans (6-0) changed the minds of some NFL coaches and owners.

The A’s gave Murray a $4.33 million contract which required him to report to training camp in February. According to reports, because he chose the NFL, Murray will have to return $1.29 million of the $1.5 million he got in that bonus money and forfeit the rest.

Generally, pro baseball players make more than football players but quarterback salaries in the NFL are an exception.

Several pundits are saying Murray will go in the first round, maybe to the Washington Redskins, New York Giants or New Orleans Saints. Last year, former OU quarterback Baker Mayfield, who also won the Heisman Trophy, was the No. 1 pick in the draft by Cleveland. Mayfield signed a fully guaranteed $32.6 million contract.

Murray and seven other former Sooner football players were invited and will participate in the 2019 NFL Combine, which starts February 26 in Indianapolis. OU’s pro day will be in March.

The other former Oklahoma players invited include Rodney Anderson (RB), Marquise Brown (WR), Bobby Evans (OL), Cody Ford (OL), Ben Powers (OL), Dru Samia (OL) and Austin Seibert (K/P).

Former Oklahoma State running back Justice Hill and defensive end Jordan Brailford were the two OSU players among the 338 prospects headed to the combine. Hill and Brailford each had another year of eligibility and chose to leave early.

Hill gained 930 yards and nine touchdowns in 10 games last season. He rushed for 1,467 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2017. Brailford had nine sacks and 16 tackles for loss in 2018.