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University Of Oklahoma's Mayfield, Westbrook Headed To New York As Heisman Finalists

University of Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates a touchdown pass to wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) during the second half of the Red River Rivalry game in Dallas Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016. Oklahoma won 45-40.
LM Otero
/
AP
University of Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates a touchdown pass to wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) during the second half of the Red River Rivalry game in Dallas Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016. Oklahoma won 45-40.

Two University of Oklahoma football players will be in New York City this weekend as finalists for one of their sport's most prestigious awards.

The trust that oversees the Heisman Trophy announced Monday evening quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Dede Westbrook are both finalists for the award.

Westbrook set OU's single-season record for touchdown catches with 16 this year, and his nearly 1,500 receiving yards in 2016 are the second-most in school history in a single year.

"Me being a Heisman finalist was never part of the plan,” Westbrook told SoonerSports.com. “I just wanted to come and play football, and I guess whenever you're showcasing your talent at the best university in the country, that comes with it."

Westbrook and Mayfield are the sixth and seventh Heisman finalists under head coach Bob Stoops. Quarterback Jason White won the award in 2003, and quarterback Sam Bradford received the trophy in 2008.

Mayfield said both he and Westbrook grew up in Central Texas hoping to play for OU one day.

"When I was a little kid, you play NCAA on the Xbox or the PlayStation, and you play the Heisman campaign run, and you dream about being there one day in actual real life. And to be here now is such an honor, and so special to me,” Mayfield said.

It's the second time OU has sent two players to the Heisman ceremony in New York City. Freshman running back Adrian Peterson finished second and senior quarterback Jason White finished third in 2004 behind University of Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart.

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Brian Hardzinski is from Flower Mound, Texas and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. He began his career at KGOU as a student intern, joining KGOU full time in 2009 as Operations and Public Service Announcement Director. He began regularly hosting Morning Edition in 2014, and became the station's first Digital News Editor in 2015-16. Brian’s work at KGOU has been honored by Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI), the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters, the Oklahoma Associated Press Broadcasters, and local and regional chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists. Brian enjoys competing in triathlons, distance running, playing tennis, and entertaining his rambunctious Boston Terrier, Bucky.
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