Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray ‘definitely going to think about’ NFL draft
Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray said Tuesday he is still "haunted" by thoughts of what could have been at the end of the SEC Championship game against Alabama. But he insists he's not spending much time thining about the NFL draft. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
ATHENS — Georgia’s Aaron Murray refuses to get into a detailed discussion about his plans after this season. “All I’m thinking about right now is Nebraska and the Capital One Bowl,” he says in various different ways. But the Bulldogs’ record-setting quarterback did allow that the prospect of entering the NFL draft after this, his redshirt junior, season is a very real and serious consideration for him.
“I’m definitely going to think about it and pray about it and sit down with my family (to discuss it),” Murray said during Georgia’s Capital One Bowl Media Day Wednesday afternoon at the Bulldogs’ football complex. “But that’s not going to be probably until after the bowl game. I’ll sit down with my family then and really think about it. I have yet to write down anything. I like to write things down and to the pro-con thing and talk to my parents about it. I don’t want to do that until the bowl game. I just want to focus on Nebraska until that’s over. Then we can sit back and relax and discuss.”
There are many out there who will scoff at the notion. They’ll say Murray — listed at 6 foot-1 — isn’t tall enough to excel in the pro game. They’ll say he won’t get selected early enough in the 2013 NFL draft to make it worth his while. They’ll say he’ll want to come back and finish off the few career passing records he doesn’t already own.
But then there are others who vehemently believe Murray not only will make it as a pro but even project him as a “franchise player.” That was the determination of former Super Bowl coach and current NFL television analyst Tony Dungy, who recently sung Murray’s praises to a national audience on the Dan Patrick Show.
“I think if Aaron comes out, he’s a franchise quarterback,” Dungy said when Patrick pinned him down on the subject. “You get a chance to draft a guy and put him in place. And the Chiefs have some play-makers. . . .”
Patrick interrupted Dungy mid-sentence to have him clarify that he thought Murray is “a franchise quarterback.”
“I do,” he said, “because I know him.”
Dungy’s son, Eric Dungy, played with Murray and Plant High in Tampa. Eric Dungy now is a sophomore wide receiver at Oregon.
“So I know the type of worker he is,” Dungy said. “He’d pick my son up in the mornings and go throw, really early Saturday or Sunday mornings. He’s been that way his whole life, just like Peyton.”
Again, Patrick pressed Dungy.
“So you’d take him over Matt Barkley?”
“I’d take Aaron Murray,” Dungy said.
“Geno Smith?”
“I’d take Aaron Murray,” Dungy reiterated.
So who would he take if he had the No. 1 overall pick, Patrick finally asked.
“I would take Aaron Murray,” Dungy said without hesitation.
All of which is NOT to say Murray will be taken anywhere that high. Likely not. But, as they say, it takes the infatuation of only one team to make it happen.
And besides, for Murray, it’s not all about draft position.
He has already had a tremendously productive career at Georgia. A three-year starter, Murray is the SEC’s leading active player in total offensive yards (9,618, 10th in SEC history), completions (660), TD responsibility (99, fifth in SEC history), TD passes (89, which is tied for second SEC history) and passing yards (9,399). Currently, Murray leads the nation in pass efficiency at 177.2 and he was named honorable Mention All-SEC this past week.
But he has also nearly exhausted his options academically. At the end of spring semester he will be well on his way to completing requirements for a masters degree in industrial psychology. He could pursue a doctorate, perhaps, or just piddle around with his final thesis. And, of course, Georgia will be loaded on offense, so championship and record pursuits could be enticing.
Murray, again, doesn’t want to speculate too deeply at this point.
“I’m waiting to break down the pros and cons,” he said. “It’s a tough decision and I need my parents and to write everything down. That’s just the type of person I am. I don’t want to just think of things on the top of my head. I want to write things down and think about it and go from there.”
For what it’s worth, Chris Conley and some of Murray’s other teammates think he’s coming back. But Murray promises to keep them in the dark for as long as possible as well.
“Maybe I can milk a couple of dinners out of this,” Murray quipped. “They know I’m not going to talk about it or make any decisions, so they’re not going to bother me about it. But I think the whole dinner thing may work in my favor. I’m going to have to tell the offensive line, ‘Hey, it’s your turn to take me out for ice cream.”
But when talk turns to things like his much debated height — “I AM 6-1,” he insists — or draft analysts such as ESPN’s Mel Kiper say he should “go back,” Murray’s competitive nature kicks in.
“You know, he’s not the one drafting,” Murray said of Kiper’s assessment. “But I don’t really listen to all that stuff. That’s something way down the line that I’ll think about.”
MORE ON GEORGIA FOOTBALL
- Notebook: Bulldogs hoping DE Abry Jones gets back for bowl
- Bradley: Georgia deserved better than Capital One Bowl
- Georgia prepares for total rebuild job on defense
- Junior OLB Jarvis Jones named permanent captain of 2012 team
- Mark Richt, Bo Pelini discuss Georgia-Nebraska matchup in Capital One Bowl
- Mike Bobo getting ‘long overdue consideration’ for coaching jobs
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203 comments Add your comment
hit a single
December 12th, 2012
6:44 pm
Good to see a well groomed young man with class get some attention. Good kid that has taken alot of heat and learned from it. You can tell he has the repect of his teammates and that says alot in these days with all this ME stuff and not much TEAM anymore. I wish him luck in whatever way he decides to go. Would love to have him back or would love to see him go to the NFL.
Jamal
December 12th, 2012
6:44 pm
Hey Hutson……….should have taken those “other” offers out of Lassiter.
Tampa Gator
December 12th, 2012
6:45 pm
I hope Murray stays at Georgia. I enjoy watching him play, and he helps make the Florida game more interesting to watch. He is an outstanding college QB, but I am not so sure about his NFL prospects. It depends a lot on the team that drafts him, most likely, ala Wilson at Seatle this year. He is barely…if…..6 feet tall as well….and he has had an outstanding rookie season int he NFL I think Murray is very much like him in skill sets.
By the way…..if you have not heard….Marcus Robinson from Fort Valley, Ga, I believe….just decommitted from Clemson and will now becoem a WR at Florida. Robinson, Fullwood, Bailey, Thompson, and Hawkins (also from Georgia) make up a great year of recruiting WRs to the Gators. Muschamp is flat out getting the job done down in Gainesville.
Don'tsufferfools
December 12th, 2012
6:46 pm
I hope Murray reads the idiots on these blogs so he will be sure of his decision. Lots of wisdom here.
Cannon Ball Butler
December 12th, 2012
6:59 pm
Hey,David C and Steve,JOHNNY FOOTBALL MANZIEL will be back for Texas AM.Do you think that Bama can beat him next year?Probably NOT!
Moobs Johnson
December 12th, 2012
7:12 pm
He had at least a million tipped passes this year, think the NFL scouts don’t notice that? 5th round pick at best so he should just stay and rewrite the record books. He has a better chance of being a coach in the NFL in a few years than being a QB in the league.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 12th, 2012
7:15 pm
Why wouldnt’ he want to leave? It’s not like the guy is going to play for a national title anytime soon.
Rick James
December 12th, 2012
7:20 pm
@DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
Why wouldnt’ he want to leave? It’s not like the guy is going to play for a national title anytime soon.
———————————————————————————————————————————-
Maybe he wants to stay because he enjoys pounding Tech so much..
hit a single
December 12th, 2012
7:26 pm
Donnan of a new era – I hate to tell you but he just played for one.
Strat Cat Dawg
December 12th, 2012
7:26 pm
The trolls obviously are more knowledgable of football than Super Bowl winner Tony Dungy, right?
dawglova
December 12th, 2012
7:30 pm
I don’t think he’s coming back for what its worth (not much). Another year won’t make him 6 ‘3. But everyone saying good riddance and thinking Mason being successful is a given I think you are mistaken. I think Mason may well be a fine QB but there is a reason he didn’t start ahead of Murray. And remember he essentially be a freshman that knows the offense very well. He has NEVER had significant playing time. This is big boy football…not practice or scout team.
haha
December 12th, 2012
7:40 pm
you mean dream. murray is not an nfl qb.
JB
December 12th, 2012
7:42 pm
That was nice of Dungy, and he knows Murray. He may be talking with his heart. If he was still coaching and wanted Murray as the teams #1 pick, I think he would be over ruled. Murray has some up side, but some downside…and a number 1 pick brings 20 mil+ guarantee money, so Murray would be a risk.Murray will be a 3rd-4th rounder who will end up learning a teams system and be on the practice/development squad…..And I like Murray and want him back in Athens……
JB
December 12th, 2012
7:47 pm
dawglova……..not exactly true about Mason beating out Murray. That’s not how Richt handles QB’s. There is no open competing once a starter has been established. Richt goes with game experience over practice play. If Murray was a total flop, then yes….But he wasn’t. If Murray leaves and Mason is the guy and Brice Ramsey comes in ( Ramsey enrolling in Jan) and out plays him this spring and in fall camp….won’t matter…Mason is the guy….you can take that to the bank.
Game Changer
December 12th, 2012
7:48 pm
Do not want to watch another year of A Murray at UGA.
Jesup87
December 12th, 2012
7:50 pm
It’smason’sturn
ProCon
December 12th, 2012
7:51 pm
Pro – Break passing records, experienced offense, possible heiseman
Con – Defense is all Pro now, have to play LSU, Clemson, South Carolina, Florida, will have to who I can win the big games.
No reason why UGA can't be back in SEC Championship Game '13
December 12th, 2012
7:52 pm
Offense, if Murray returns, will be stout. A control offense, which would take pressure of a young defense with new names would alleviate loses from ‘12 team.
Defense, admittedly, has holes to fill for ‘13 campaign. However, the ‘12 Defense didn’t start to play ’til 2nd half of season and it gave up chunks of yards to some SEC foes.
Keys: Signing of Rueben Foster and Montavious Adams, alongside the other 2013 class signees, would replenish talent gap quickly. Foster and Adams will contribute early and often, as will Tray Matthews.
Final analysis: Aaron, if you want the SEC records and another shot at BCS/SEC title, then do it. Take out Lloyd’s policy (insurance for 1 year). Otherwise, say hello to Cleveland or Kansas City (who’d want to be drafted by those cities).
JB
December 12th, 2012
7:53 pm
Game Changer…… He was a little better vs Bama, but you are correct that Murray never had the “it” factor….. Green had it for us. McCarron has it for Bama. Stafford really didn’t have it really, just a pure NFL arm from day 1 that you couldn’t ignore.
hmm
December 12th, 2012
7:56 pm
If Murray leaves then all the Mason lovers should have no excuse if he messes up. All HM will have to do is manage the game by handing off to Gurshall and throw in the vicinity of all these experienced receivers.
Return to Glory
December 12th, 2012
8:02 pm
Hope he comes back, I wish him well either way, but I don’t think he will be an NFL starter.
JB
December 12th, 2012
8:03 pm
Aaron Rodgers could enroll in Athens next year…..And Mason would start. You only have to look at Richt’s “passed over” young playing career to understand that.
ProVsCon
December 12th, 2012
8:08 pm
Pro – leave for NFL millions, or stay and possibly play for SEC and NT, also will not listen to coaches and spike the ball this time!
Con – leave and get drafted by Browns or Chiefs, stay and get clobbered again because OL can’t block
ProVsCon
December 12th, 2012
8:09 pm
Or leave for NFL and make millions while getting clobbered with Browns or Chiefs.
JB
December 12th, 2012
8:10 pm
I think the OL at Georgia will be the best in 4-5 years. Not great, but really better. They will be a year older, stronger and more experienced.
JB
December 12th, 2012
8:11 pm
The OL for next year I mean
baddawg
December 12th, 2012
8:12 pm
Our OL had been the laughing stock of the SEC for about 5 or 6 years now. Just because they are a year older and experienced doesn’t mean diddly. Remember a few years ago we were supposed to have one of the best OL in the country and they were terrible.
JB
December 12th, 2012
8:14 pm
Yea i do, but this line coming back held there own against Bama
Dawgdad (The Original)
December 12th, 2012
8:15 pm
Franchise Player? More likely another John Parker Wilson.
WestOfAthens
December 12th, 2012
8:20 pm
Either way, a loaded offense.
Hutson Mason is an exceptional alternative.
HBTD
JB
December 12th, 2012
8:26 pm
True about either way…..And with a much improved OL returning ( over past recent years) and a duo of SEC quality RB’s for a change, Mason’s job will be a lot easier.
hmm
December 12th, 2012
8:29 pm
I think our OL and DL are too fat and slow! I know TG likes them that way but come on they can’t even move with all that blubber on them!
bubba4dawgs
December 12th, 2012
8:32 pm
C’mon back, Aaron! Next year can be golden for you including money in the bank for that real big payday at the end of the season. My goodness, you’ll get enough signing bonus to more than pay for the meager pay you’ll get if you go now. Besides, this is the most fun you’ll have for a long long time. The NFL is all business….totally different than college.
hmm
December 12th, 2012
8:34 pm
Murray needs to talk to Tebow. Bet Tebow would tell him to stay! Bet Tebow wishes he could have stayed in college forever!
George
December 12th, 2012
8:36 pm
Hope he go’s pro. ROLL TIDE!
Hank
December 12th, 2012
8:39 pm
Hope to see a rematch in next years SEC game. Love to see Alabama beat them dawgs.
Put in Timeout by Ken Sugiura,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 12th, 2012
8:40 pm
So IF Saban goes to the Browns would he want MURRAY as his QB?
Mark
December 12th, 2012
8:42 pm
Would have been fun to see Georgia lose to Notre Dame.
jack
December 12th, 2012
8:42 pm
Interesting alternative draft rankings. Ogletree #13, Jones #46, Murray #74, Rambo #108
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFPS-Top-200-Draft-Prospects-5904.html?sct=hp_t2_a7
Put in Timeout by Ken Sugiura,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 12th, 2012
8:42 pm
hmm
December 12th, 2012
8:34 pm
Murray needs to talk to Tebow. Bet Tebow would tell him to stay! Bet Tebow wishes he could have stayed in college forever!
=============================
That is FUNNY. Tebow KNEW there was nothing left for him in college and he did make a bunch of Cash signing.
dawglova
December 12th, 2012
8:45 pm
JB you are insane if you think that if Mason was better he wouldn’t start ahead of Murray. You have no clue how Rich handles anything. You aren’t in the locker room. Give an example…please. And don’t say Shockley because Greene was all time winning qb and set records himself..much like Murray. I love all the contradictions to statements made on this blog. Let me guess, you are one of the “insiders” that post on UGA blogs. I’m sure he has loyalty to upperclassmen as he should. But by your lame ass logic how come Joe T III lost out to Stafford (freshman)by the second game of the season. You are an idiot. Take that to the bank
Jay
December 12th, 2012
8:50 pm
I’m about to watch the Bama,Georgia game again. Love the ending!!!
JustMe
December 12th, 2012
8:54 pm
Just go already.
DawgFan
December 12th, 2012
8:56 pm
Go Pro….and let Mason have his shot already! The poor kid deserves his chance after having to sit and watch Murray the last few years.
hahaha
December 12th, 2012
8:56 pm
Enjoy it while you can you bama inbreds. When Saban is gone your program will be the next Auburn or UT
GaRead
December 12th, 2012
8:57 pm
Maybe the NFL can teach you to think on your own, make your own decisions…..like spiking the ball.
Recruiter
December 12th, 2012
8:58 pm
If Murray stays, then if I was Mason, I’d be out of there so fast!
hahahaha
December 12th, 2012
9:01 pm
To all you Mason lovers. I bet he loses the job to Lemay or Bauta next year if Murray leaves!
hahaha
December 12th, 2012
9:04 pm
If Mason left he has to good of an arm to go to Tech. To play for tech you have to know how to pitch the ball not throw it.
Discount DoubleDawg
December 12th, 2012
9:07 pm
It is really tough to compare Greene and Murray. Greene only needed to score 21-24 points to win a game. Much more is put on the shoulders of Murray. If we don’t score 35-42 per game we lose an extra 2-3 games per year. I think Greene was great but I am not sure if I believe he is a better college QB than Murray. Record wise yes (but less was expected of him and his defense and special teams played better). Stat wise, Murray seems better to me. I think Murray has a shot in the NFL (and I hope he does well) but I would be more surprised if does well and has a long career.