Kyler Murray selected first overall in NFL draft

11/17/2018 Oklahoma v Kansas football. Photo by Joshua R. Gateley

Kyler Murray’s first overall selection in the 2019 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals brings to 56 the number of Heisman winners who have been selected in the first round. Twenty-two of them were taken with the first overall pick and 39 within the first five selections.

For the first time since 1986-87 (and fifth time overall), a Heisman winner went first overall in back-to-back drafts. It was the first time it happened from the same school.

It’s the culmination of an amazing journey for Murray, who was itching to get working with his new coach, Kliff Kingsbury.

“Cannot wait,” Murray told the media afterward. “Me and him have had a relationship since I was like 15 years old. It’s something we’ve talked about for a long time. It’s a long time coming. God works in mysterious ways. For me to be playing for him now, it’s a surreal feeling.”