Happy Monday, friends and fans!

On ESPN’s morning talk show ‘Get Up’, analysts Dan Orlovsky, Laura Rutledge and Marcus Spears discussed who among Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Joe Burrow they would choose to start an NFL franchise with. It’s an interesting topic considering all three are Heisman Trophy winners, and the former LSU Tiger appears destined to follow in the former Oklahoma Sooners’ footsteps by going No. 1 overall in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Two out of the three panelists went with the more unproven Burrow over Mayfield and Murray. The obvious caveat in this whole conversation is the fact that the two former Sooners have already shown what they can do in actual NFL games, while Burrow has yet to even suit up as a pro. That’s not to say he won’t live up to lofty the expectations Orlovsky has for him, but it’s still a projection at the end of the day.

Rutledge makes an interesting point about why she chose to go with Murray over the others. His elite mobility and athleticism mirrors how the game and the position is evolving, yet his arm isn’t a hinderance because of it. When it comes to starting a franchise around a QB, it’s easy to see why anybody would want someone like K1 at the helm.

The thing that excites me the most when it comes to any of these guys is the fact that as long as Mayfield remains with the Cleveland Browns and Burrow (presumably) stays with the Cincinnati Bengals, us fans will get to watch those two AFC North rivals go head-to-head on the field twice a season. If nothing else, that should help settle this debate.

Now onto this week’s Monday edition of Hot Links! Jalen Hurts continues to intrigue evaluators, you’ll need Barry Switzer’s permission first before getting hitched, Roger Goodell conducting the draft from his basement isn’t the weirdest thing to happen in 2020 and more!

OU Links

• Lincoln Riley smoked some ribs this Easter Sunday like he does to defenses on college football Saturdays. Boomer!

• Looks like some updates are coming for the iconic Sooner Schooner. Hopefully improvements are made to decrease the chances of rolling over or other accidents.

• NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. doesn’t expect Jalen Hurts to stay on the board beyond the second round, and one of the biggest reasons why a team could give him a chance is because of Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson’s unexpected ascension at the position over the last two seasons.
• Speaking of Hurts, Dan Orlovsky believes he could become a dynamic threat that’s difficult to contain at the next level under the right circumstances.

• The OU Daily caught up with softball veteran Nicole Mendes to gauge her thoughts on the canceled season, the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and more.
• In case you missed it, Lon Kruger and his staff have added a transfer in North Texas guard Umoja Gibson. Whether on not he’ll be eligible to play in 2020-21 will depend on the NCAA’s ability to pass its pending legislation regarding transfers.
• Barry Switzer is The King for a reason. Check out this set of rules for the team in 1983, courtesy of George Stoia’s dad. That marriage rule is classic, and look, there’s nothing about “championship hydration levels” here. Could be something, could be nothing.

• Speaking of Coach Switzer, it’s time to add a few new rules to his list!

Around the Sports World

• Former Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks QB Tarvaris Jackson, 36, died in a car crash on Sunday night in his home state of Alabama.
• NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is encouraging all league employees to devise training programs that would allow players and teams to return to practice while maintaining social distancing directives. A return date for the indefinitely suspended NBA season has yet to be determined.
• NASCAR has suspended driver Kyle Larson indefinitely after he was heard using a racial slur on a live mic during an iRacing event this past Easter Sunday.

• Over the weekend, former FAU DB Meiko Dotson announced his decision to play for the Florida State Seminoles as a graduate transfer this fall. In his final season with the Owls, Dotson’s nine interceptions tied for the nation’s lead.
• Since the coronavirus pandemic has temporarily moved nearly all in-person meetings and events to the virtual realm, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will announce this year’s first-round draft picks from his basement. Yes, you read that right. What else you got for us, 2020?

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