Lincoln Riley: Kyler Murray Has to 'Fight Like Crazy' to Win Oklahoma QB Job

Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley isn't ready to name a starting quarterback, leaving open the possibility that Austin Kendall could overtake Kyler Murray for the starting gig.

"Kyler is not the quarterback yet," Riley noted, per Eric Bailey of the Tulsa World. "There is a really good competition going on right now. Kyler is going to have to fight like crazy to win this job."

Bailey shared more of Riley's thoughts on the quarterback competition:

Replacing Baker Mayfield—the top pick in the 2018 NFL draft and last year's Heisman Trophy winner—is no small task. Murray is a superb athlete, though, to the point that he was the No. 9 overall pick in this year's MLB draft by the Oakland Athletics.

As a part of his Athletics contract, he's set to play for the Sooners this year, and he came into this offseason as the projected starter. It would be surprising if Murray didn't start or carve out a significant role for the team this year.

After all, if he's relegated to the bench, he could call it quits on his football career early. With a $5 million contract in place with the Athletics, Murray's professional sporting future is secure.

But Riley is keeping open the possibility that Kendall could win the starting gig. That could be lip service to keep Murray motivated, or the two quarterbacks could be even, or close to even, in the coach's eyes.

Either way, Oklahoma's quarterback situation remains the biggest story in the Big 12 heading into the upcoming season.