Kyler Murray just part of dual-sport club

Many feel that 2018 Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray may have a tough decision between Major League Baseball and taking a shot at the NFL. After being selected by the Oakland A’s with the ninth overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft and signing a contract worth $4.66 million, the Oklahoma quarterback has to wonder if the grass might be greener on the (NFL) other side.

Murray is a very special talent. He was the first player out of high school ever selected to play in the Under Armour All American baseball game and the Under Armour All American football game.

His uncle, Calvin, played six seasons with the San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs. Interestingly, his uncle was the batter in 2001 when Randy Johnson threw a fastball during a spring training game that struck a dove just as the ball left Johnson’s hand.

OU’s Murray won’t be the first who faced this dilemma regarding which sport to play. Being a high first round pick does place him in a unique fraternity. That group even includes quite a few New Orleans Saints who were dual-sport athletes, sharing the diamond and the gridiron.

Archie Manning was grabbed by the White Sox as a shortstop in the 3rd round of the 1971 MLB draft. Here’s a long list of a bunch more:

Toi Cook played baseball at Stanford before becoming a Saint and had a shot at MLB.
Bubby Brister, a 1981 4th round pick as a SS by the Detroit Tigers.
Rodney Peete, a 28th round pick as a 3B in 1990 by the Tigers.
Steve McNair, 35th round as a SS by Mariners in 1991
Mark Brunell, a LHP in 44th round by Braves in 1992.
Jake Locker, 40th round by Angels in 2006.
Michael Vick, 30th round by Colorado Rockies as an OF in 2000.
Dan Pastorini, former Oilers and Raiders QB, was a ’67 32nd round by NY Mets as a SS.
Joe Theismann, 39th round by Twins as a SS in 1971.
Steve Bartkowski, 19th round as 1st baseman by Orioles in 1974.
Danny White, Cowboys QB, 5th round by Cleveland Indians as a SS in 1975.
Akili Smith, 7th round by Pirates in ’93 draft as an OF.
Kerry Collins, one-time Saints QB, was an infielder drafted by the Tigers in ’90 and Blue Jays in ’94.
Johnny Manziel, 2nd base/SS by Padres in 28th round in 2014.
Ken “Snake” Stabler, as a LHP drafted by Yankees 1966, Mets in ’67 and Astros in ’68.
Jeff Samardzija, pitcher was 5th round pick of the Cubs. He was twice a Biletnikoff finalist as a WR at Notre Dame and a 2 time All American for the Fightin’ Irish. He was a 2014 MLB All-star. He has a 69-92 record and 1,303 strike outs during his 11 year career.
Former Saints LB Jack Del Rio was drafted by Blue Jays as a catcher in 22nd round in 1981. He batted .340 playing baseball at USC.
Steelers CB Senquez Golson batted .345 at Pascagoula High. He played baseball and football at Ole Miss. Picked in 22nd round by Red Sox.
Kyle Long, Bears OL, was 6-foot-6, 300 pound LHP drafted by White Sox in 23rd round of 2008 draft.
Dan Marino, 4th round pick out of H.S. in 1979 by KC Royals, also was 1st round pick of Dolphins in 1983. He played SS/ Pitcher.
Golden Tate, NFL WR was a 42nd round pick out of H.S. by Diamondbacks in 2007. Later as a 50th round by Seattle in 2010. In NFL he was 2nd round pick of Seahawks in ’10. He batted .329 as an OF at Notre Dame and stole 13 bases as a senior.
Brandon Weeden, a pitcher and 2nd round pick of Yankees in 2002. 4 seasons in minors, he had 5.02 ERA in 374 innings. Spent time in Dodgers and Royals organizations. 1st round pick by Cleveland Browns in 2012, becoming oldest player ever selected in 1st round at 28 years old.
Daunte Culpepper, OF grabbed in 26th round out of H.S. by Yankees in 1995. 11th overall in 1st round by Vikings in 1999 NFL draft.
John Elway, OF 18th round by KC Royals out of H.S. in 1979. He batted .551 as Jr. in H.S. and .491 as senior. Named Los Angeles Prep Player of Year. 2nd round by Yankees in 1981. In 1982 he hit .318 with 4 HR’s and 25 RBI in Class A with Yankees. Top pick overall in 1983 NFL draft by Colts, forced a trade to Broncos.
Deion Sanders, 6th round in H.S. by KC Royals in 1985, 30th round by Yankees in ’88. 5th overall by Atlanta Falcons in 1989 NFL draft.
QB Matt Moore, 22nd round by Angels in 2004.
RB Bo Jackson, OF 4th round by Royals in 1986, top pick by Buccaneers in 1986 NFL draft.
QB Matt Cassel, 36th round by Oakland A’s in 2004. In 1994 was Little League World Series champion batting .429. He pitched briefly at USC striking out 10 in 8 2/3 innings. Drafted by Patriots in 7th round 2005.
WR Eric Decker, was 39th round pick by Brewers as OF in 2008. 27th round pick by Twins in 2009. Hit .324 in 110 college games while at Minnesota. 3rd round pick of Broncos in 2010.
Colin Kaepernick, while in H.S. hurled two no hitters. Had 97 punch outs in 13 starts as senior. 43rd round pick of Cubs in 2009. 2nd round by 49ers in 2011.
Shaq Thompson, Carolina Panthers LB, was 18th round pick by Red Sox in 2012 and 1st round pick by Panthers in 2015 NFL draft.
Russell Wilson, was a 41st round pick by Orioles in 2007 as 2nd baseman, and Colorado Rockies in 2010. Seattle Seahawks made him 3rd round choice in 2012.
Jameis Winston , with his 94 mph fastball and 1.94 ERA at Florida State was grabbed by Texas Rangers in 15th round in 2012. He was also DH for Seminoles. In high school, he was considered best baseball prospect in state of Alabama. 1st overall pick of Buccaneers in 2015 NFL draft.
Even Tom Brady drew interest from MLB. He was chosen in 18th round as a left-handed batting catcher by Expos in 1995. He batted .311 in 61 high school games with 8 HR’s and 44 RBI. The Patriots took a flyer on Brady in the 6th round in the 2000 NFL draft. As they say…the rest is history.