The RSP Blog’s Top 20 RB Prospects (2006-2011) Part I
... 13. Demarco Murray, Oklahoma – When Murray burst onto the college football scene as a freshman it appeared as if he might succeed Adrian Peterson as the next great OU tailback. He was a dynamic, game-breaking runner with excellent skills as a special teams returner. But the injuries piled up and his trajectory toward stardom seemed to tail off. However, I think those injuries actually helped Murray become a more disciplined runner between the tackles and develop a more decisive and determined style that most runners of his physical ability have to address during their first couple of years in the pros. LeSean McCoy, Jamaal Charles, and C.J. Spiller are three runners that encountered an initial adjustment period in the pros because they were used to successfully bouncing runs outside and reversing field in college football and these choices were failing them in the NFL.
2011 RSP Quote: Murray has all the tools to be a starting NFL runner. He has the burst and speed to get the corner or hit a hole and wreak havoc in the second and third level of a defense. He can string together moves in the open field, but he has learned how to judge when it attempt a cutback and when to lower the pads and push the defense backwards. His pad level is often very good and it routinely helps him get yards after contact. He’s a highly versatile player that pass protects and catches the ball like an NFL third down back. He rarely misses assignments and he delivers a good pop as a stand up blocker. OU trusts Murray as a receiver enough to split him wide and throw him the ball on routes longer than 10 yards and he usually catches the football without a problem. If he can stay healthy, Murray can be a Tiki Barber like player with more power.
Murray’s 25-carry, 253-yard debut as a starter isn’t the type of production anyone should count on him sustaining, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he overtakes Felix Jones as lead back heading into 2012, if not by the end of 2011. He’s not as flashy as Jones, but few players are. Then again, Murray is just as versatile and his work had more consistent substance. What I admired most was the fact that Murray frequently played and played well when he wasn’t 100 percent. That’s a sign of back capable of becoming a productive NFL feature back. Frank Gore, Ray Rice, and Maurice Jones-Drew are all backs that demonstrated this skill that Murray shares with them. What impressed me the most was that when OU needed a play or a series of plays at an important part of the game, it was Murray they leaned on – healthy or hurt – and Murray frequently came through.
@ this
This kid is special but I'll say if any team in the NFL can screw it up (meaning don't split a lot of carries) it's the Cowboys.
