Former Alabama QB Jalen Hurts voted Big 12's Newcomer of the Year

The Oklahoma Sooners have made it to the College Football Playoff the past two years, losing to an SEC team in the semifinals both times.

This year, they’re once again one of the top teams in the country, and that has a lot to do with their new quarterback. After Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray won the Heisman Trophy and went on to be the No. 1 overall picks in their respective NFL Drafts, the Sooners landed Alabama graduate transfer Jalen Hurts this offseason.

He’ll be an impact player for Oklahoma, and he’s already drawing some recognition from media members. Ahead of Big 12 Media Days next week, media members voted Hurts the conference’s Newcomer of the Year:

The preseason All-Big 12 team is out.

Offensive Player of the Year: Sam Ehlinger
Defensive Player of the Year: Kenneth Murray
Newcomer of the Year: Jalen Hurts pic.twitter.com/lNGLPOVvMl

— Max Olson (@max_olson) July 9, 2019

Hurts will certainly be in the Heisman mix this year if he plays well in Lincoln Riley’s system, but the Sooners will face a tough test from rival Texas to win the conference title in 2019.

Whatever happens, a lot of eyes will be on Hurts and the Sooners this fall.