Veteran Durham ‘just can’t wait to see’ what Aaron Murray does
MACON — Kris Durham started his Georgia football career with Matthew Stafford and will end it with Aaron Murray.
Durham graduated early from high school and enrolled at UGA in January 2006, along with the fellow freshman Stafford. Fast forward to June 2010. Stafford is a multi-millionaire NFL quarterback, and Durham is the grizzled veteran of the Bulldogs.
The wide receiver from Calhoun received his bachelor’s degree last month. “That was probably one of the highlights of my life, getting that degree,” he said. This week he began graduate school, starting work toward a master’s degree in education. He wants to teach and coach. But first, he has one season of football eligibility remaining because he was redshirted last fall while rehabbing from shoulder surgery.
Durham represented UGA’s offense at the “Pigskin Preview” event at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in Macon on Tuesday, and the fifth-year senior exuded enthusiasm each time someone mentioned Murray, the redshirt freshman quarterback.
“Aaron is a special guy,” Durham said. “He’s very, very intelligent. He’s going to bring a new energy. I’m excited to see what he does. He’s a fiery competitor. I just can’t wait to see what he does.
“He gets in there and studies and knows what he’s supposed to do. And he’s a great leader. I mean, you don’t usually see that in a freshman, but he’s definitely taken his leadership role as the quarterback of the team.”
Given the attrition at the position –- Zach Mettenberger’s dismissal and Logan Gray’s quasi-move to wide receiver –- the Bulldogs are banking on Murray. Coach Mark Richt mentioned Tuesday that spending this summer with the responsibilities of being the No. 1 quarterback should allow Murray a smoother transition than the true freshman Stafford was afforded in 2006.
“Along the way, there are going to be bumps in the road, [but] hopefully we can minimize those,” Richt said. “The fact [Murray] is surrounded by a lot of veteran players on offense should help.
“If he doesn’t try to be a hero and he just manages the game well and does the things we’re asking him to do and minimizes any play that starts out poorly and respects the football –- if he does those things, I think we’ll be fine,” Richt said. “If we can get him started on the right foot and gaining some confidence, we’ll let him grow in increments. But the worst thing we could do is just throw so much on him that he’s drowning. You don’t want to set him back.”
Murray, as you know, has never thrown a pass in a collegiate game. But with starters returning at the other 10 positions on offense, Durham envisions Murray leading a balanced unit.
“I feel like the run game is going to open up the pass game, and the pass game is going to open up the run game,” Durham said. “But it all starts with the offensive line. Since we have such a veteran offensive line, I feel like they’re going to be our rock. . . . We can’t do anything without them. Whatever we do, the offensive line is going to be the key.”
Durham, who at 22 is three years older than his quarterback, says the Bulldogs are fueled by last season’s 8-5 record, their worst under Richt.
“You work and build a foundation and start all over again,” Durham said. “You start from scratch. That’s what we’ve tried to do this offseason.”
For more on the Bulldogs: www.twitter.com/ajcuga
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180 comments Add your comment
debo
June 9th, 2010
1:34 pm
Oh and Murray is exactly 1 inch TALLER than last years Super Bowl MVP…you guys don’t know jack do ya?
Uncle Bus
June 9th, 2010
1:36 pm
Georgia’s offensive formations, like a spread, could keep defenses from putting 8 in the box. Just spread everybody out and run the ball like Florida does.
steve
June 9th, 2010
1:47 pm
http://andreu.blogs.gatorsports.com/10454/signee-van-enrolls-at-marshall/?tc=ar
bitter SEC FANS
June 9th, 2010
1:48 pm
damn that kid is good, pass run, check his grades? good, damn cant catch him throws great lots to worry about!!! help!!
Lunchtime links: Dogs eager to see Murray | Hog Country Online
June 9th, 2010
1:51 pm
[...] Georgia senior receiver Kris Durham says redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Murray will bring a new energy to the Bulldogs’ offense. [...]
bitter alabamma fans
June 9th, 2010
1:53 pm
lets see, bad body smell!!bad hair!!ugly women!!no teeth!!cant speak full sentence’s carry rebel flag upside down!! brag about finishing the 3rd grade!! still use the word coon!! low life’s—- go dawgs
RDR
June 9th, 2010
2:20 pm
Dawgs are way under the radar screen this year………………………………….so were the 1980 dawgs.
Adonisdaking
June 9th, 2010
2:40 pm
For All Those 8 In The Box Fools Out There Talking Lip…Murray EXCELS In Mid Range Throws Can U Say TE’s…….CMR Has Already Said We Will Be Using A More 2 TE SET…U Thought Orson Charles Was Something Last Year….Watch This Year and Also Remember A.Murray and O.Charles Already Played In HS So The Connection Is There!…GO DAWGS!…Also Aron White #81 6′4 245lb The Former Number #1 TE….Man Its Going To Be A Good Year For UGA…W.Ealey Will Get Over 1000yds This Year Also…
Attitude could be the
June 9th, 2010
2:43 pm
Positive attitude could be THE factor in 2010. Nuff said.
Go Dogs.
npgator
June 9th, 2010
3:19 pm
Another 8-5 season.
Nachos
June 9th, 2010
3:46 pm
8-5 in 2010….. Liberty Bowl here we come !!!!
Flo-Ri-Duh!
June 9th, 2010
3:53 pm
Yes, Murray is a freshman but not a true freshman like Stafford was. He knows the play book and has the talent. He also has the o-line and RB’s to carry the load.
tim
June 9th, 2010
4:23 pm
hey uncle bus….before the puppies “run the spread like FL does” then you ladies will have to recruit a bit better and get some speed and quickness like Florida does because you girls just don’t have the players to play with Florida
Coach Ray Goff
June 9th, 2010
4:28 pm
“We’re gonna lather that sucker up and keep giving it to him”. And if any time is left we will also play some football.
The Hobnail Boot
June 9th, 2010
4:31 pm
Is it me or does Murray have a great looking tight butt? I sure would like to be his “special receiver” if you know what I mean.
Dr. Dave
June 9th, 2010
4:53 pm
To the Good Doctor and Rumblin’ Wreck: for you idiots to predict how Aaron Murray will do this season based upon one spring game is completely asinine. That is like saying Jason Heyward would hit 162 home runs this year because he hit one in his first game. Murray was not rated the #3 high school QB in the country for nothing. He will have 10 returning starters on offense around him. That being said, as a freshman in the SEC, he will be challenged every week. We should not ask too much of him, a hopefully he will maintain his composure until he becomes more comfortable.
harold
June 9th, 2010
4:55 pm
GEORGIA UNLIKE ALABAMA AND FLORIDA IS A DREAM TEAM—-A VISION. MEYER AND SABAN LIVE IT.ALABAMA & FLORIDA HAVE CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL. GEORGIA IS AVERAGE AT BEST. 4-4 LAST YEAR. 20-12 IN THE SEC LAST 4 YEARS. DAWGS GO 6-6 THIS YEAR!
Murray > Brantley
June 9th, 2010
6:55 pm
Murray will light up the SEC and the Dawgs will win the SEC east—count on it!
The Good Doctor
June 9th, 2010
8:35 pm
Actually, Phil Steele doesn’t even rank Murray in his top 60 QB’s. I know the Georgia folks are excited, but there’s simply no grounds for the excitement when it comes to QB. Freshman QB’s and SEC defenses are a mismatch.
The Good Doctor
June 9th, 2010
8:42 pm
Alabama & Florida’s QB units made Steele’s top 35, Alabama #28, Florida #32, Georgia didn’t make the list. Not seeing what the coaches see in Murray this year but the experts don’t see QB as being a strength in 2010.
Bud Wooten
June 9th, 2010
8:59 pm
If Aaron Murray can hand the ball off he will be fine. The O-line needs to stay healthy and the Dawgs will get back to the old days “running back u”. We will run the ball and pass on playaction. It will be a long day in Jax for those tree hugging crybags. GAYTERS. Remember the sec championship. JUST RUN BABY!
Tree
June 9th, 2010
10:10 pm
Cool Stuff from Phil Steel’s Magazine:
1- UGA had 4th toughest schedule in nation in 2009
2- UGA has #44 toughest schedule in 2010
3- SC #2 toughest schedule in NCAA, mISS sT #4, LSU #10, bAMA #15, fLORIDA #18, Aub #19 in 2010
4- UGA ranked #2 nationally on Going Up chart, # of jumps down on strength of schedule
5- Says UGA’s offense will score 38 pts a game, defense give up 23 a game, +15 scoring margin
6- Says UGA’s offense will run for 225 yards a game, pass for 255 yards a game
7- Says AJ & Ealey could put up big Heisman like stats
8- Ranks UGA’s offense Nationally: #5 RB’s, #2 WR, #1 O-Line,
9- Ranks UGA’s Special Teams Nationally #5
10 Ranks DL #33, LB’s #11 nationally
11 Ranks UGA #3 Suprise Team (could win it all) because of schedule, OL, RB’s, WR’s, + Florida’s massive loss of talent (took #1 biggest loss to NFL draft)
RED DOG 77
June 10th, 2010
1:45 am
Aaron Murray is an extremely bright young man with just enough fire in his belly to possibly be the greatest QB since David Green. The only thing that worries me about Murray, he may be so good, that Christian LeMay might start getting second thoughts at mid-season, say when we await Tenn’s visit to Athens and we are sitting with a 5-0 record. But even if LeMay does get “cold” feet, by then all the big time recruits he will have brought with him will be so high on UGA that the “Dream Team ” will be solidly intact. Just my opinion, But I bet I’m right ! GO DOGS !! SIC’ ‘EM WOOF……..WOOF…..WOOF……..WOOF !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jay
June 10th, 2010
8:18 am
Don’t worry about Lemay. He’s not afraid of competition. When Lemay scouted the Georgia QB’s, Mett was the only 1 that concerned him. Lemay will get playing time.
Jay
June 10th, 2010
8:24 am
Lemay said unless Murray wins the Heisman or Bobo or Richt get fired, he’s coming. Murray won’t win a Heisman, no freshman QB ever wins the Heisman. And with improvement in turnovers & talented offense & special teams & improved defense, UGA will improve in wins to 9+, so Bobo and Richt will keep jobs.
Lemay Rules
June 10th, 2010
9:54 pm
Lemay will be the starter from Day 1—mark it down! He’s the total package—with Lemay, the Dawgs will win the SEC more than once.
Tampadawg48
June 14th, 2010
2:39 am
have been a dawg all my life born in atlanta but raised in tampa. went to a neighboring high school that of the one arron and orson attended. i cant help but think this is a prophecy !! also the fact that our tailbacks r #3 and #4 should be a prophecy to all dawg fans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Herschel is back baby!!!!!!!!! sickem dawgs
Tampadawg48
June 14th, 2010
3:09 am
also i have friends that coach high school ball in the area who have coached against him they all agree he can lead us to the promise land
ryan
June 14th, 2010
2:10 pm
http://edgeteamsports.com/
uga fan
June 14th, 2010
11:44 pm
i’m sick and tired about reading and hearing how georgia is better and recruit so much better than tech. can’t we just try to be the best dawg in the S.E.C. and i’m not talking about ole miss. I mean start playing like were not scared of florida and start showing up to play and beat them gators. year in and year out. gett serious and beat florida .coach will keep his job. then sec. championships and national championships will follow. it all starts with beating florida . .best in the state. and second to the gators is going to get richt out of athens by 2012. and I do not want to see that. go dawgs I do beleive in you.