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
Lee
December 12th, 2012
9:07 pm
Murray, don’t listen to Dungy.Choose wisdom over delayed weath.Cash in after your 4th year as a starter in college.
Rationale
December 12th, 2012
9:07 pm
At best, he is a mid round draft pick. If he comes back he will break and set records, but he will still be a mid round pick next year. Personally, If I was friend or family, I would advise him to go pro, while he is in the good physical condition he is in. Other than the Florida win this year, he has never shown any significant “presence” on the field.
Sun Devil Dave
December 12th, 2012
9:09 pm
As well he should. Maybe he can win the big one there!
83jacket
December 12th, 2012
9:10 pm
Murray will not improve his draft status by coming back for one more year. The negative on him is his height and he will not get any taller by playing another year in college. If he was 6 foot 4, he would absolutely be a 1st round pick. I don’t know what round he will be picked him but in my opinion he will not move up in the draft by staying another year.
NCDawg
December 12th, 2012
9:12 pm
I think Aaron is wise to say he will write it down and weigh the pros and cons. The real meat to this whole discussion is based on what the draft projection is. He will wait to have that done and once he gets that he can genuinely weigh his options.
For everybody writing off next year just remember that if he does return he will have a loaded offense at his disposal. This good be the best offense UGA has ever put on a football field. Auburn had a mediocre defense and won primarily because of their offense in 2010. The Dawgs defense will be young but I expect that they will improve quickly. I wouldn’t write off the season just yet.
Of course if Bobo gets a HC job elsewhere that will be a huge factor. Too many variables at this point.
NCDawg
December 12th, 2012
9:14 pm
damn.. good = could
VA
December 12th, 2012
9:15 pm
The risk of staying doesn’t out weigh the reward. The greater reward is winning a national championship and not breaking all sorts of passing records. Matt Barkley came back to chase a national championship, that didn’t work out well for him. To add insult to injury he gets injured. I suspect Richt will field a good team next season but I doubt it’ll be a national championship team even if Murray stays. That train left the Georgia Dome two weeks ago. Barkley final season probably lost him a few NFL GM’s. Murray’s showdown with Saban and Bama is doesn’t get any better for him. Leave UGA with the SECCG in your rearveiw mirror and be prepared to give your new employer the reason why you didn’t spike the ball on the final drive. Good luck in NFL young man.
Bali
December 12th, 2012
9:30 pm
Do any of you guys have any inside info of our other QB’s?? Mason, Lemay, Bauta, Welch? I’ve rarely seen them get any type of substantial playing time and was just wondering what the skinny was on these guys. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
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
9:43 pm
Bali……Mason is the next one to play so everybody says and after that it will be the Ramsey show. The other guys are practice squad QBs. Bauta is the next Fullback.
I'll be a FLOP
December 12th, 2012
9:44 pm
Hudson Mason = Joe T the 4th
I'll be a FLOP
December 12th, 2012
9:45 pm
Houston Mason = Joe T the 4th
I'll be a FLOP
December 12th, 2012
9:45 pm
Muston Hason = Joe T the 4th
trueblueeagle
December 12th, 2012
9:51 pm
Take the money and run!
just sayin
December 12th, 2012
10:06 pm
Murray is clearly the best quarterback in the SEC, behind Johnny Heisman..the Alabama nightmare. If he does come back, what about Hutson Mason? This Hutson kid is the real deal. What a nice inconvience for Bobo and Richt to have. IF Murray does come back he’ll probably set records that will stand for many, many years. The guy’s a class act and came within one play of winning a national championship.
Von Trapp
December 12th, 2012
10:09 pm
Take das millions and go forward young mans. To hell with das fair weathered dawg fans. Show das money and learn das game on their dime.
kauai dawg
December 12th, 2012
10:27 pm
After Lattimore injury no one should ever question if a player is eligable and he goes. I know Marcus wasn’t and now is and decided to go… but that changed my thinking. I thought loyalty to the team that gave you the opportunity.
Truth is his weaknesses will not change with another year. He will not grow any taller and he will only pile up stats. The Nebraska game will tell a lot. Will they be focused? We can’t afford not to be.
Bama was a GREAT game and I’m still not over it so I know they can’t be. Hopefully the cool brisk air will get them ready. 12-2 doesn’t sound as bad…. just beating Notre Dame again for the NC sounded better.
GO DAWGS!
kauai dawg
December 12th, 2012
10:30 pm
Lemay seems to be falling out of favor…. is he going to transfer? Even though his brother is on the way?
Delbert D.
December 12th, 2012
11:06 pm
It seems that the actual height of college quarterbacks is either correctly listed on the team’s roster, or for some mysterious reason it is a closely guarded secret. Is Aaron Murray 6′1″ ? Half an inch shorter? Oh, my!
Russell Wilson is 5′11″ by way of comparison, a rookie QB who is playing lights-out in the 2nd half of the season for the Seahawks.
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
11:14 pm
Notre Dame and the University of Alabama are taking their beef to a new level — TMZ has learned, the mayors of both college towns have made a friendly wager in honor of the BCS National Championship … and a whole lot of BBQ goodness is at stake.
If the Fighting Irish win — Tuscaloosa mayor Walt Maddox will send a heaping portion of coma-inducing grub from Dreamland Bar-B-Que to a rep for South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg.
Maddox has also agreed to donate money to South Bend Big Brothers Big Sisters.
But if ‘Bama wins — Buttigieg has agreed to send gourmet chocolates from the South Bend Chocolate Company … and will donate to the Tuscaloosa Tornado Recovery Fund.
Whiznot
December 12th, 2012
11:26 pm
Murray has been hampered throughout his career by Richt and Bobo’s reluctance to let him move out of the pocket. I hope he succeeds in the NFL but I don’t see him as a better QB than Kellen Moore who wasn’t drafted. Murray needs things to fall his way to have a good pro career. Hopefully he will not share David Greene’s fate of playing for an idiot like Mike Holmgren.
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)
December 12th, 2012
11:50 pm
@ Nomorerawdeal:
Stick a sock init you ungrateful dumba$$. You should be very proud of what AM has done for UGA and Dawg Nation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)
December 12th, 2012
11:55 pm
@ Time Out(11:14 pm post)
What in hell is wrong with you???
You actually posted a nice, sane, sanitary and interesting bit??????????
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hugh
December 12th, 2012
11:58 pm
Aaron Murray does not have what it takes to win championships at any level. After watching him ask the sidelines if he should spike the ball says it all. His psyche would not let him make a decision he knew needed to be made. He is a great kid, who wants to please, and in this instance he needed permission. Unfortunately, at that moment he needed to spike the ball and then ask for forgiveness. All the experience and film study will not give Murray what he needs to win championships. I liked him better when he was running for third downs without his coach’s permission.
Walk on
December 13th, 2012
12:02 am
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
6:35 pm
@David C…………….hahah…………..McCarron in the NFL. I think JPW was better than McCarron. The NFL isn’t really excited about Bama QB’s. Murray has done a lot more to impress the NFL than McCarron
111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
Now we ALL know why you are not a NFL Scout. That statement about Wilson and McCarron is so far off the from what real scouts are saying about McCarron.
Whiznot
December 13th, 2012
12:12 am
I think Murray should go now and give it a shot. God knows he owes nothing to Richt and Bobo who screwed up everything by trying to make Murray fit the Richt “system”. It was so stupid to insist that Murray be a siting duck in a flimsy pocket. The good coaches make the system fit the players not the other way around.
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 13th, 2012
12:19 am
Walk-on……every scout has a different opinion on each QB. They all can’t be right. Plenty like some of McCarrons size and arm but know what they get in the head. Can you name me a great Saban QB in the NFL?
Hilltopper
December 13th, 2012
12:30 am
If I’m a GM I would wonder about his production in big games. It is not too good. And in most of them he has looked like the deer in the headlights. Whether poor play calling or just poor playing he has not produced when most needed. This would bother me.
mjoo
December 13th, 2012
12:35 am
aaron need to head to the nfl—he can make millions—ga will be rebuilding next year and will lose 2-3 games.
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 13th, 2012
12:41 am
The term “system quarterback” has become overused, but in the case of McCarron, it actually applies. How?
McCarron is a flawless quarterback when it comes to mechanics, but rarely is he asked to put the team on his back and make plays. Thanks to an amazing offensive line, two game-breaking running backs and a stout defense, McCarron has to do little more than manage the game for the Crimson Tide.
Does that make him a bad quarterback? Not at all, but it does make him a tough quarterback to evaluate based on performance.
McCarron’s mechanics get a passing grade, but you don’t see the poise of Andrew Luck, the big-play ability of Robert Griffin III or even the outstanding athletic potential of Ryan Tannehill. McCarron looks and moves like an NFL quarterback, but he hasn’t made NFL quarterback plays yet.
The best course of action for McCarron would be returning to Alabama for his senior season, where he’ll have another season to develop under NFL-level coaches while continuing to build his resume as a leader and as a quarterback who can make plays outside the system.
Glory Between the Hedges
December 13th, 2012
12:47 am
First of all hutson mason will be just fine starting next season. He will actually be a better fit for our current offense. He wont try to do too much. Its not hard to hand it off to Gurley and Marshall. The guy is another David Greene type QB. Who knows, maybe Mason will be that big game QB.
colintrippkaepernickbooboo
December 13th, 2012
1:00 am
Murray returning for Natl Champ with all others…Lemay is gone for ignorance of system. Hutson is ready now!
Snoop Dawg
December 13th, 2012
1:00 am
This is nearly as funny as the report that Division 1 schools are considering Bobo for head coaching jobs.
These reports are being generated by their agents. Dingy is a personal friend of the Murray family. Aaron Murray’s dad is battling cancer.
Murray has shown great courage and technical skills on the field, but he is too short to succeed in the NFL. He is really just five eleven. He is a psych major, but cannot handle the pressure to win the big games. In other words, he chokes. Three interceptions against UF in the first half this year. We beat Florida in spite of Murray, not because of him. Other than that, he is Zero for Twelve against ranked teams.
Best for Murray to stick around another year to break a bunch of records to set himself up fir a great business career in Georgia.
Don’t count on any championships next year, though.
Any of the other UGA quarterbacks can get us at least as far as Murray has…
Notebook: Bulldogs still hoping former starting DE Abry Jones can return | UGA sports blog
December 13th, 2012
1:00 am
[...] Junior QB Aaron Murray ‘definitely going to think about’ NFL draft [...]
Snoop Dawg
December 13th, 2012
2:01 am
Here’s the difference between Georgia and Alabama:
On the same day that Murray says he’s thinking about leaving for NFL while heis prepping for the loser Capital One Bowl, AJ McCarron said that he will definitely return to Bamako for his senior year as he preps for his third NC game.
This is why Alabamais a champion while Georgia is a loser.
Teams take on the personalities of their coaches, don’t they?
32-28
December 13th, 2012
2:55 am
What does “a Saban quarterback” have to do with being a good NFL qb? Absolutely nothing. Winning is what counts.
Murray and McCarron will do very well in the NFL, But McCarron’s mom is much hotter.
Snoop Dawg
December 13th, 2012
3:59 am
It has everything to do with team loyalty instead of worrying about self and how you’re gonna look to the NFLscouts….
Like Ham on bread
December 13th, 2012
5:36 am
Well if he go’s fine he be haunted fact he choke vs alabama coach crys when reporter ask we not want it…and if do then he lie when said wants win a Natl championship at Georgia which means Nebraska will beat Ga so bad Mark Richt will Hold a press conference sayin we did are best after the 45-14 beatin….we just had bad breaks as Murray shows he can’t beat top 10 are Top 25 teams!
Like Ham on bread
December 13th, 2012
5:48 am
Cleveland has a new owner who wants win and if aaron Murray went to Browns he would lead them to 12-4 record in 2013 season if Owner is ready to lead..be better if atlanta falcons draft him replace Matty(melted ice) Ryan in years to come….
Fred ™
December 13th, 2012
5:57 am
Please go.
brad
December 13th, 2012
6:32 am
6′ 1″????? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! I have stood face to face with him and if he is 5′10″ he is wearing Tom Cruise risers shoes. He isn’t ANYWHERE near 5′11″!!!! he would be a PRO FLOP ala Tim Couch.
stew
December 13th, 2012
6:37 am
A John Parker WIlson clone. Great college player, clipboard holder for 3 years max on the practice squad.
The Plain Truth
December 13th, 2012
6:40 am
The plain truth about Murray is that compared with the really great UGA QBs like Fran Tarkenton, Murray is an insignificant blip. In the NFL, he’ ll be hopelessly outclassed, and after a very lackluster year, he’ll be relegated to a practice squad for a year or two, then quietly dropped. Fortunately for Murray, when this happens, he’s intelligent enough to get a real job and support himself and a family, unlike the 90% of his UGA teammates who will end up on welfare or work at menial jobs that don’ t require any intelligence.
Husker1
December 13th, 2012
6:48 am
Nebraska 38, Georgia 17
We (did) Run The East
December 13th, 2012
7:17 am
Comeback AM. 0-3 against SC is good, but 0-4 has a really nice ring to it! This will make you a UGA “legend”. Also will help you stock up on TP and eggs!
Billy Mumphries
December 13th, 2012
7:17 am
Yeah,the league needs another 5′11″quarterback.
Say Whut
December 13th, 2012
7:29 am
Aaron is getting more consistent, but needs one more year in college to be a future NFL QB. He is better than A. J. McCarron, who made third team AP All-America, which either Aaron or Tajh boyd should have made.
SuperB
December 13th, 2012
7:30 am
Didn’t South Carolina lose to Clemson and Florida?
SuperB
December 13th, 2012
7:32 am
Hey “Husker” what was the score against an unranked 8-5 Wisconsin team: 70-13? 70!
Would you like to bet on the game?
He Hate Gator
December 13th, 2012
7:42 am
From a selfish standpoint, I hope he stays as entering next season’s tough schedule with a frosh QB and almost all new starters on D doesn’t bode well….
AP
December 13th, 2012
7:48 am
This young man has had his good and bad moments on the field. Haven’t we all ! He is an outstanding individual who represents the University extremely well. Hope he comes back and shatters all kinds of records. Then he should be in the Heisman conversation all year! Aaron is a DGD. Support him in whatever his decision! Probably going to be a great head coach in 20 or so years!