Aaron Murray may be playing his final game for Georgia
Aaron Murray and Mark Richt have been together for three seasons. This may be it. (Brant Sanderlin)
ORLANDO – Before this season began, Aaron Murray set a plan for the next two years — not for football, but for a doctorate program in industrial-organizational psychology. Call it an academic and career game plan.
“It’s a pretty big field nowadays,” Murray said in August. “A lot of companies are hiring I-O psychologists.”
Aaron Murray plays a football game Tuesday. There is a very good chance it will be his final football game for Georgia.
This is pure conjecture on my part. It is based on the fact that Murray, as much as he loves college football, has other things going on in his life. He has other things he wants to try. He’s a different kid.
“You mean mature?” Murray said, smiling.
“No,” I responded. (He laughed. Know your audience.)
I presented my theory to Murray, that Georgia’s game against Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl would be the end of this chapter in his life. I asked him if my read on him, his mindset and aspirations was correct. He responded without actually answering.
“I definitely have other things [I want to do],” he said. “My whole life, my mom has talked to us about setting goals and thinking about what we want to do in our life. So I’m a very goal-driven person. But I can’t predict the future. I can only live day by day.”
So are you going into this game with the thought that it could be your final game at Georgia?
“No. It’s just another game. I prepare hard for all of them.”
Never try to out-think a psychology major.
Murray is the first quarterback in SEC history to have three straight 3,000-yard passing seasons. In the last two years, he has thrown 66 touchdowns against 22 interceptions, won two SEC East titles and went 21-6. Four weeks ago against Alabama, he and the Bulldogs came within one tipped pass of going to the BCS championship game instead of the Capital One Bowl.
His biggest problems have come in the postseason, with two SEC title losses (to LSU and Alabama) and two bowl game losses (to Central Florida as a freshman and Michigan State last season). If Murray decides to come back, it will be because conference and national championships have eluded him.
I’m just not sure that’s going to do it.
Could he improve his NFL draft stock by coming back? Probably. He battled some consistency problems this season, as evidenced by his completion percentages against South Carolina (35.5), Florida (50) and Alabama (54.5), and his five interceptions in those three games. But this also is considered a weak draft class for quarterbacks. Sometimes an extra season leads NFL scouts to find more flaws. There’s also the potential for injury.
But the potential for improving his draft stock — and right now he’s projected as high as a late first-rounder but more likely second or third round – may not be a big deal for Murray He already has his career blueprint: college football, NFL, I/O psychology.
Save the absence of a conference title and playing for a national championship, Murray has experienced as much as any college football quarterback can expect. He stepped in with Georgia at the bottom, going 6-7, losing to Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl in 2010, and then starting 0-2 in 2011. He was there for the program’s turnaround (21-4 since).
With Georgia losing so many players on defense, it’s debatable how strong the Dogs’ chance will be next season.
Murray recently said the loss to Alabama was causing him sleepless nights. On Saturday, he provided this update: “It’s out of my mind now. But I’ll always have memories of it. That game will be replayed on TV for many years.”
He joked that when he’s in retirement, “Maybe by then I’ll figure out a way to tell everybody we actually won the game.”
The next game hasn’t had the same buildup. It won’t have the same ramifications. But a win likely would leave the Dogs as a top-five ranked team and finally allow Murray to end the season with a victory.
“I have yet to win a bowl game, so this is my opportunity to hopefully finally win one and send the seniors off,” he said.
And possibly himself.
By Jeff Schultz
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259 comments Add your comment
Flying Tigers
December 30th, 2012
7:17 pm
I am sure Murray is a great kid, but he and Richt just missed what was their best opportunity to get to the BIG game, and I beleive that Richt blew it. Murray needs to stay, unless he truly has the confidence he can make the NFL. However look at the games you mentioned that he did not fair so well, they were all good teams and not all of the what the matter U games that have littered uga’s schedule the past two years…hell any decent or a little better than average team should have won all those games. Make no mistake uga has talent, but with all they are losing and with the schedule getting tougher, if Murray can make the cash take it and run. Even after saying that I beleive he would be better served with another year, but if I was him I certainly would not expect playing for a NC. You still have trouble with the old ball coach and even though you have won 2 in a row Florida they are getting better quickly and then you have some semblance of a schedule this year…and Alabama will be tough to deal with if you made it to the SEC championship game…nor Richt blew it plain and simple and I don’t care what a great man he is, he has wasted more talent than the Japanese wasted soldiers. Good coach when he has nothing but top 5 recruiting classes, but still not a big time or big game coach. Take the monsy and run the more I think about it. IMHO.
Selling Points
December 30th, 2012
7:41 pm
Going Going Gone! That is what Aaron Murray should do! Why? He can set records at UGA with his passing, he can win some games, he can stay around with a potent offense, however, a defense that is going to be depleted( do not believe the biased UGA red colored glasses faithful) will put a ton of pressure on the offense to win games, a schedule with up to 5 losses is on the agenda, the stupid fans who throw eggs and toilet paper at Murray’s house will not be moving, his roommates will be gone to the NFL, the same coaching staff will be at UGA next season, and the SEC/BCSCG right runs through Baton Rouge, Tuscaloosa.
Leave now and look back with money and your health, return for the reunions and smile.
Brent
December 30th, 2012
7:46 pm
No way he’s an NFL-quality quarterback at this point.
Herman from Mineral Bluff
December 30th, 2012
7:55 pm
The last 10 years, the BCSCG highway has run thru Baton Rouge, Tuscaloosa, or Gainsville 8 times…there ain’t even an off-ramp to get to Athens….and there never will be!
Paul in NH
December 30th, 2012
8:18 pm
Festus
December 30th, 2012
4:48 pm
Look at what happened to Marcus Latimore. The SC running back would have been a high draft choice. Now he won’t even be drafted. Take the money and run.
———
Marcus Lattimore just finished his 3rd year out of HS – meaning he only just became eligible for the draft.
Jarvis Jones gives Muschamp nightmares
December 30th, 2012
8:24 pm
Sorry I’m not convinced it is inevitable that Aaron is leaving. If he goes, I wish him the best but he may want to stay one more year in college. He’s unlikely to be a first-round draft pick. Best of luck to him if he goes, but I think there’s a really good chance he will return. He’s not going to get close to the money Jarvis and Ogletree will get.
Jarvis Jones gives Muschamp nightmares
December 30th, 2012
8:36 pm
Paul, I think he meant he would have been a higher draft pick at the end of the season without the injury.
Herman from Mineral Bluff
December 30th, 2012
8:38 pm
He won’t be a first round draft choice if he stays another ten years…Kellen Moore is a much better qb and he didn’t even get drafted…
kingdaddy
December 30th, 2012
8:40 pm
I’m afraid that we may lose Hutson Mason if Murray stays. I don’t think LeMay will hang around either and its a real shame you can’t play all the kids. Hate for any of them to transfer but who knew that Arron Murray was such a tough kid. He takes a licking but keeps on ticking back there. The kid is really tough as nails. I would to see what Mason’s got next year behind an improved and deeper Oline. We are lucky to have AM, but will it be worth the risk of losing Mason to have Murry back one more year???
Jarvis Jones gives Muschamp nightmares
December 30th, 2012
8:43 pm
I hope the dawgs can slow down the Nebraska ground game. They aren’t going to stop it, but if they contain Martinez and Burkead, Martinez will be forced to throw and we can send our pass rushers after him. I just don’t think the Huskers will be able to stop our offense. I say Georgia 38 Nebraska 24. Hopefully Tech wins their bowl game as well, because I can’t stand Lane Kiffin.
DDPO
December 30th, 2012
8:45 pm
Destin Dawg… Give it a break. Saban has won the same number of NATIONAL Championships at Bama as Richt has won SEC Titles. (In less than half of the time)
If Bama wins, Saban will have won 4 NATIONAL Championships.
Write us again when Richt wins a single NC. Or even makes it to a NC.
Mark Richt is a younger version of John Cooper
December 30th, 2012
9:00 pm
How will you disney dawgs spin it if Nebraska opens up a can on the dawgs? SECCG hangover? not excited about going back to Florida for a NY day bowl game? PMS? What will it be?…better start working on the excuses now…
Delusional Georgia hater
December 30th, 2012
9:04 pm
OMG, I’m so excited. Another Georgia blog, which means I can get on here and obsess to the blog world about how much I hate Georgia… because everyone needs to know!!
) If only I had social skills or a job or a girlfriend who weighed less than 200. But to make up for that, I’ll try to convince all the Georgia fans that their quarterback and program are terrible. Because that makes sense. Hehehehe I should get a life instead of sitting on the AJC trying to stir the pot.
Delusional Georgia hater
December 30th, 2012
9:07 pm
I think I’ll record the Nebraska game and hope Georgia wins. If they do, my whole weekend will be ruined. Gee, I wishhhh I could get a life but when Georgia loses, that’s the best part of my life. If only my team didn’t lose to Georgia, then I could brag on them instead of bashing the dogs. Oh well, time to make ridiculously dumb remarks to Georgia fans to anger them so I’ll get some satisfaction.
)))
Delusional Georgia hater
December 30th, 2012
9:10 pm
Hehehehehe, time to stir the pot. Maybe if my daddy was nicer to me and my momma had hugged me or I hadn’t been rejected by that girl in prom, I wouldn’t be so negative and feel the need to post anti-Georgia stuff all over the AJC. But since I’m a dork with no life, I’ve got to have some way to interact with people!
Old Dog Class of 80
December 30th, 2012
9:12 pm
I guess if Murray leaves for the NFL, we can play that back-up QB that we have been letting play on a regular basis to get in real-time experience. Oh, that’s right, the Coach left Murray in all the time to pad his stats.
Are we going to have a Joe Cox year next year?
Delusional Georgia hater
December 30th, 2012
9:13 pm
Since my team lost to Georgia, I will cling to the teams that beat Georgia and ignore the fact that my team sucks. Where are my buddies, GTBob, SSI and Goldenrod at??
RGB
December 30th, 2012
9:13 pm
““It’s [the loss to Bama] out of my mind now. But I’ll always have memories of it.”
Huh?
Snoop Dawg
December 30th, 2012
9:28 pm
Snoop doesn’t see Murray as a first day draft choice. He is short and tends to choke whenever the pressure is on him.
Why would an NFL team waste a good draft choice with that?
Even Flutie wasn’t tall enough to succeed in the NFL…
He will be back. It is in his best interest to set some long term NCAA records…
Trandall19705
December 30th, 2012
9:31 pm
Not even close Jeff. He stays!!
Delusional Georgia hater
December 30th, 2012
9:32 pm
Where are my fellow Georgia hatersss at? When are we going to go clubbing together and talk about our obsessive hate for Georgia??!?
Tony
December 30th, 2012
9:35 pm
I really hope he comes back. Our offense will be loaded if he returns. The defense will take a step back overall, at least the pass defense. I just hope the early enrollees and young guys like Tray Matthews and Johnathan Taylor can step in and play well alongside Ramik Wilson, Jordan Jenkins, Swann and Herrera.
Ghost
December 30th, 2012
9:36 pm
KingDaddy, Unless Mason wants to transfer to a FCS program he will be at Georgia.He red shirted to get a year between he and Murray since Murray took his redshirt as a freshman.Mason knew the deal coming when he decided to come to Georgia. Hutson will be a redshirt Junior, if he transfers to D 1 program he would have to sit a year, (if Murray stays) he may as well stay back up Murray and start his senior year at Georgia and play for the school and coaches he wants to play for.
chuck
December 30th, 2012
9:36 pm
He will stay because if he does, he can get his Masters before going to the NFL. It makes more sense to finish that degree and then give the NFL a shot and not have to come back to UGA for another year of school.
Return to Glory
December 30th, 2012
10:00 pm
Wish him well but I don’t see him ever starting in the NFL, maybe he will prove me wrong.
big bama boy
December 30th, 2012
10:04 pm
Who is fooling who? This kid is coming back next year and hoping to be a first rounder. Where else can you make millions for standing on the side lines?
Jon Koncak
December 30th, 2012
10:15 pm
Aron Murphy is a DGD. I’m sorry some of us tp’d your house when your dad was sick.
zeke
December 30th, 2012
10:26 pm
Yep! He is gone! He is still having nightmares about Clowney, and, will not want to face him again!!!!
luangtom
December 30th, 2012
10:32 pm
I am sure the world in GA will not end if Murray decides either way. He needs to do what is best for Aaron Murray. And, he has to have a team to play with and they haffta stay outta the headlines and outta jail. So, his playing a last game in January may not be a bad decision.
Selling Points
December 30th, 2012
10:43 pm
It just sounds like a deal was struck with Mason to redshirt and Murray would be leaving. Maybe way off, but Mason looked like a sure fire transfer candidate up until the deal was struck for the Redshirt. From the outside looking in it looks like Murray is gone and the UGA faithful will lay their hearts on Mason to be the player many many UGA fans believe he is( however, The smart ones realize if he was better than Murray he would have beat him out for the starting job).
Selling Points
December 30th, 2012
10:51 pm
Destin Dawg
December 30th, 2012
2:44 pm
Richt is 2 for 3 vs. Saban in the SEC… Saban going pro after the bowl game.
_______________________________________________________
2 – 4, is the correct stat.
Furman Bisher
December 30th, 2012
11:03 pm
Yes it is me here from the after-world to inform you of what will happen. Even from heaven I have contacts. Murray is telling close friends that he will be back. Seriously, all joking aside. He will be back. Bank on it. As always, a good reporter doesn’t divulge his sources but he will be back.
Pulpwood Smith
December 30th, 2012
11:12 pm
I agree with Furman, God rest his soul. Murray will be back. My son goes to UGA and knows Murray and his inner circle. They are all saying he plans to return. Time will tell but I’d bet on him returning.
Alphare
December 30th, 2012
11:41 pm
Murray padded his stats in the past years with inferior competition. Murray should turn pro while his stats are still shining.
UGA will face some tougher competition next year, his stats will surely suffer, and his value will surely decline next year if he stays. This is just me being realistic.
Artie
December 30th, 2012
11:45 pm
Only if he’s giving up football. Murray is not going to have a career in the NFL. Too inconsistent and not much up-side. Can’t win the BIG ones either.
Tide Rising
December 30th, 2012
11:50 pm
Destin Dawg
December 30th, 2012
2:44 pm
“Richt is 2 for 3 vs. Saban in the SEC… Saban going pro after the bowl game”
Destin Dawg,
I guess you remain unemcumbered by mere facts. Saban is 2 for 3 against Richt in seccg games. He is also 2 for 3 against Richt while at Alabama with his only loss being his inaugural year rebuilding a 7-6 football team.
Tide Rising
December 30th, 2012
11:55 pm
Smart thing to do would be to go pro. Not much of a chance of UGA winning the east again. Carolina will be good again and Florida looks to be really good. With 9 or 10 starters being lost on defense for the dawgs UGA probably finishes 3rd in the division next year. They won’t have much of a chance for a division title let alone a conference championship. And I won’t even mention the possibility of a bcs national championship. Georgia is not national championship caliber material.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 31st, 2012
12:00 am
Who will be harder to replace? Aaron Murray at Georgia or Nick Saban at Bama. The odds are better that Murray stays at UGA than Saban stays at Bama. There are just too many NFL head coaching jobs that will be open in 2013.Nick can take his pick and if Bama were to rout Notre Dame his value will never be higher.
my take
December 31st, 2012
12:30 am
I’d be willing to bet a fair amount of money that he’ll be back. He seems like he loves playing college ball and loves college life in general.
He’ll also be getting all of his o-linemen back and most of his wide receivers. The offense could be pretty good next year.
Ga Blogger to Tony..
December 31st, 2012
12:38 am
Tony you are comparing kellen Moore and Aaron Murray,
Laughable
Try comparing the teams they played first
Sec vs WAC…..or whatever conference Boise is in….
I will go out on a limb and say if Moore played USC, lsu, bama, Florida, GT, tenn., auburn Every yr…etc that his numbers would be much different
Ga Blogger to Tide rising
December 31st, 2012
12:43 am
Richt has won 2
Saban 4
One win at bama one win in dome, UGA beat him while he was at lsu and at bama coaching
Rebuilding or not game is played
One more play and the these two guys are 3-3 vs one another. But Saban wins that battle no doubt. But don’t think head two guys are as far off as you might think
Robards
December 31st, 2012
1:15 am
Sorry Jeff, looks maybe like your Dawgs will have to start over next year. Even worse–against a real schedule. Good luck, though.
Dooley's DumbAzzes
December 31st, 2012
2:07 am
A retarded blind mute could “earn” a degree from UGA.
Mike Dog
December 31st, 2012
3:23 am
If Aaron Murray goes pro he will end up just like David Greene a back up who’s time in the NFL will be short. But if he stays he will get his head bashed in as the Dogs will be severely depleted next year. Tougher schedule = at least 3 losses
RedandBlackDAWG
December 31st, 2012
5:34 am
Dr. Heimlich
December 30th, 2012
2:51 pm
To answer your question about why UGA plays tech. each year, the answer is simple. It is mandated in the State Senate, mostly by Tech. graduates who are members there.
I am sure Tech. would rather it not be a scheduled game each year. The odds get worse every year, for a Tech. win.
Buzz2011
December 31st, 2012
5:50 am
He’s gone!! Dog fans should be happy as
he wasn;t much of a quarterback and
particularly against winning teams,
Go Jackets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We (did) Run The East
December 31st, 2012
7:21 am
AM coming back so he can go 0-4 versus SC He-he-hee, never thought I would see that UGA is SC’s whipping boy.
Buckeye
December 31st, 2012
7:22 am
Murray, having been Murray in big games Murray will be cryin’ and a humpin’ for years to come.
Buckeye
December 31st, 2012
7:23 am
Clipboard, meet Murray holding a clipboard in the NFL Murray.
Buckeye
December 31st, 2012
7:43 am
Greg McElroy won the SEC! SEC! and the NC and he’s still a clipboard ( albeit concussed) guy. Murray hasn’t won squat.