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Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield votes for Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray on first Heisman Trophy ballot

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield voted for Oklahoma's Kyler Murray on his first Heisman Trophy ballot since winning the award in 2017.
Credit: Richard Rodriguez
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) voted for Oklahoma's Kyler Murray (1) on his first Heisman Trophy ballot since winning the award in 2017.

CLEVELAND -- It did not take much time for Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield to make a decision on who to cast his vote for in the 2018 Heisman Trophy selection process, and it should be no surprise that he is staying close to his heart.

Before actually casting his vote, Mayfield, the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner at Oklahoma, let it be known that he was supporting Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray in the 2018 race.

“I think you know exactly who I’m voting for,” Mayfield told reporters after Sunday’s 29-13 loss to the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Credit: Kevin Jairaj
Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws during the first quarter against the Texas Longhorns in the Big 12 Championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

In leading the Sooners to the Big 12 Championship, Murray completed 216 of his 306 attempts (70.6 percent) for 3,674 yards and 37 touchdowns. Additionally, Murray rushed for 853 yards and 11 touchdowns on 113 carries.

“You take him out from OU, they’re out of the playoffs,” Mayfield said of his reasoning for voting for Murray.

“Best player in the country, 50 touchdowns responsible for, to me, after being around him, it might be easier for me to say that, how special of a player he is, but to me, it’s obvious. That’s nothing against (Alabama’s) Tua (Tagovailoa), absolutely not. I think he’s had an incredible year. I think it showed for itself.”

Credit: Kevin Jairaj
Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray (1) and head coach Lincoln Riley pose for a team photo after the game against the Texas Longhorns in the Big 12 Championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Murray guided the Sooners back to the College Football Playoff for the second consecutive year, where after winning the Big 12 Conference Championship Game with a revenge victory over The University of Texas, they will get the No. 1 team in the country, the Alabama Crimson Tide, in the Orange Bowl Semifinal on December 29.

“Good for them,” Mayfield said. “After watching some of that game and the Alabama-Georgia game, I’m excited for them.

“Another shot. Once you get in, you’ve got a chance from there, and so, I’m excited for them. They deserve it. They’ve played well all year. When you lose one rivalry game, they got their revenge, and that’s the important part.”

Credit: Greg Bartram
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) throws a pass against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on November 24, 2018.

Mayfield voted for Murray over Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who had a record-breaking season with the Buckeyes.

On the way to Big Ten Championship Game Most Valuable Player honors, Haskins completed 34 of his 41 pass attempts for 499 yards and five touchdowns against one interception. Although primarily a pocket passer, Haskins rushed the ball 10 times against the Wildcats.

Haskins’ 34 completions, 41 attempts, 499 yards and five passing touchdowns set new Big Ten Championship Game records.

The 499 yards were a single-game personal best for Haskins, who has eclipsed the 300-yard mark nine times and the 400-yard plateau five times, including two of the last three games, and just missed the latter with a 396-yard showing against the Michigan Wolverines on November 24.

Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Haskins had a record-setting season in 2018, as he completed 348 of his 496 attempts (70.2 percent) for 4,580 yards and 47 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. Additionally, Haskins has rushed for four touchdowns this season.

Haskins was the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Quarterback of the Year and the Offensive Player of the Week a record six times.

Among the records Haskins set in 2018 were the touchdowns responsible for (51) and total offensive yards (4,702).

“That’s alright,” Mayfield said when asked if Ohio State fans would be upset with him for voting for Murray. “I didn’t have many fans to begin with when we’re talking college ball.”

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