Murray bypasses NFL draft to stay at UGA (updated w/ Richt reaction)
Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray ended the speculation Sunday night about whether he’s staying in school or going to the NFL. He’s staying, Murray announced via Twitter.
“Blessed to be the QB for the Dawgs, not ready to leave just yet,” Murray tweeted to his 64,000-plus followers. “Time to get back to work & help lead this team to a championship.”
Murray could not be immediately reached for further comment, and UGA made no official announcement of his decision. (UPDATE: Georgia coach Mark Richt reacted to Murray’s decision in a statement Monday morning: “I’m certainly pleased that after weighing his options Aaron has decided to remain at Georgia for his senior year. His leadership and productivity have been tremendous during what has been an outstanding career. This is great for Aaron and great for Georgia.”)
A three-year starter for the Bulldogs, Murray had been weighing whether to return for his final season of college eligibility or to enter the 2013 NFL draft.
He said previously that the NFL’s underclassmen advisory committee informed him he likely would be a second or third-round pick if he entered the draft.
Murray graduated from UGA last spring with a degree in psychology, and he enrolled in a graduate program in industrial-organizational psychology in the fall.
He is the first quarterback in SEC history to pass for more than 3,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. This past season, he passed for 3,893 yards and 36 touchdowns. In Georgia’s Capital One Bowl victory over Nebraska, he passed for 427 yards and five touchdowns. He leads the nation in pass efficiency rating for the 2012 season, just ahead of Alabama’s AJ McCarron, who plays in the BCS title game Monday night.
Murray has led Georgia to back-to-back SEC Eastern Division titles, although the Bulldogs lost in the SEC Championship game both times.
Murray’s return is a boon for the 2013 Georgia team, which expects to return all but two starters – receivers Tavarres King and Marlon Brown – from an offense that averaged 37.8 points per game.
– Tim Tucker, AJC
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513 comments Add your comment
Big K.
January 6th, 2013
9:57 pm
GO BACK TO YOUR TRAILER PARK
ALL of these Myopic Midget Monkey Brains with THEIR MANCRUSH on Scrub Murray…Go back to your Trailer Park and watch Reality TV, Jerry Springer, and “Pro WRASTLING, why don’t you!!!!
RoJo
January 6th, 2013
10:00 pm
Will Murray finish with the NCAA record for…
MOST CAREER INTERCEPTIONS?
It’s possible, Murray’s leady at 32 interceptions, with a mere repeat if 2011’s 14 int’s, he could finish with an impressive..
46 CAREER INTERCEPTIONS!!
td
January 6th, 2013
10:01 pm
Big K.
January 6th, 2013
9:53 pm
You are a special K prick and clearly not now or have ever been a DAWG fan. Go away Gnat you are just jealous that we will beat your team at least one more year now.
Tide/Dawg
January 6th, 2013
10:02 pm
I’m not unhappy that Murray is coming back. I’m a little disappointed for Mason and I think he will transfer to a Div. 2 school. He’s a talent and deserves to play. I’m not so sure AM is staying because of loyalty, I think it’s because he wasn’t rated as high in the draft as he thought he might be. AM is intelligent and a talent with a good arm. He’s intelligent enough to know that even if he comes back and doesn’t have a great year he will still be in the same position in the draft next year that he is now. The only problem is injury could cost him millions, but unlike a lot of jocks, he has an education to fall back on if that happens.
Are these people who wanted AM gone the same ones praising his decision,…. if that is his decision? I think I would make sure that tweet is actually from Murray.
Red Neckerson…Not bad!!! I like it!!
RoJo
January 6th, 2013
10:03 pm
Murray’s 3 career best games, as passing efficiency were against
POWERHOUSES like
NEW MEXICO STATE
FLORIDA ATLANTIC
GEORGIA TECH
Where will Murray have his next big game?
Timus
January 6th, 2013
10:08 pm
Good choice!!! He’d been a 2nd rounder for sure. I think he started hitting his stride at the end of this season. If he picks up where he left off he’ll have a pretty good year and will be a 1st round pick in 2014.
Big K.
January 6th, 2013
10:08 pm
I HAVE BEEN A UGA FAN SINCE 1975 BOYS….I LOVE THE DAWGS……I CAN NOT WRAP MY HEAD AROUND THIS BLIND TRUST IN SCRUB MURRAY…
HE’S LIKE THAT “BEAUTIFUL GIRL” WHO CHEATS ON YOU….SO DISAPPOINTING…NOT WORTH YOUR TIME REALLY?
RoJo
January 6th, 2013
10:10 pm
I’m sure Murray thought the defense, by losing starters like
OGLETREE
JENKINS
JONES
WILLIAMS
COMMINGS
ROBINSON
ABRY
Rambo
BRANDEN
GEATHERS
Will be SOOO much better…..
davedawg
January 6th, 2013
10:10 pm
Ya’ll need to remember when AM first came to Athens. Who did he look like? Johnny Football. Running all over the field, scoring TDs, first downs, just didn’t know how to hook slide. Who put the brakes on all that? Bobo? Ya think? All those stats is BS. According to Rojo, UGA ( I’m not goning to say “we” cause I didn’t suit up) had no chance of winning the CapitolOne Bowl because AM had never won a bowl game. Dumazz. AM is a fine young man and he has busted his azz for this team. I’d bet Rojo and Bigk were the ones throwing eggs after the SC game.
Rick James
January 6th, 2013
10:10 pm
@RoJo
Murray’s 3 career best games, as passing efficiency were against
POWERHOUSES like
NEW MEXICO STATE
FLORIDA ATLANTIC
GEORGIA TECH
Where will Murray have his next big game?
————————————————————
Murray is the only quarterback in SEC history to pass for over 3,000 yards three seans in a row and is second all in touchdown passes.I guess all that was done against these three schools right? Reality check Tech fan,Georgia will be up by 35 at haltime next season at Bobby Dodd. Get over it.
Rick James
January 6th, 2013
10:12 pm
Seems like this news has really upset some Tech fans..
UGA Alummy
January 6th, 2013
10:13 pm
He’s a loser. Just like Richt. Losers. Yeah, they beat insects and go to a crumby bowl. So what?
DAWG82
January 6th, 2013
10:15 pm
ROJO and BIG K
were married in Maine earlier this year.
congrats
RoJo
January 6th, 2013
10:15 pm
Murray improves so much each year against ranked teams.
As a freshman, averaged 237 passing yards per game
As a freshman, averaged 231 passing yards per game
As a freshman, averaged 237 passing yards per game
Murray made it ALL THE WAY BACK to his FRESHMAN SEASON NUMBERS as a Junior, what a QB!!!
Dienlafin
January 6th, 2013
10:15 pm
Sandlapper, why do you think it’s going to be a great game? Murray has NEVER beaten South Carolina!
RoJo
January 6th, 2013
10:18 pm
Stafford & Cox’s 12-16 sacks allowed per season is record Murray is shattering.
Murray allowed 25 sacks in 2010, 33 in 2011, and 27 in 2012. 85 sacks s far, add in another 30 and Murray endeds up allowing 115 sacks in only 4 seasons.
Another Georgia record.
My, he’s so mobile. And has such great pocket awareness.
Not.
GTDog
January 6th, 2013
10:21 pm
Of course it’s upset some folks Rick. Supporters of other teams, no doubt. The funny thing about these blogs is you can get on your rival’s site and talk smack, while pretending to be a fan.
The sad part is some of us get taken in by it, and reply…which all a troll wants in the first place, right?
Murray is an outstanding QB, as evidenced by the remarks from opposing coaches and players, analysts and others who know the game. He’s sitting at #1 in the collegiate rankings for QB Efficiency, and is in the midst of rewriting the UGA and SEC record books.
Let ‘em whine Rick, just consider it a compliment. People don’t troll unless they’re envious.
Big K.
January 6th, 2013
10:23 pm
RoJo
January 6th, 2013
10:18 pm
DITTO!!!!
DO NOT ARGUE WITH THESE MYOPIC MIDGET MONKEY BRAINS…
RoJo
January 6th, 2013
10:23 pm
Zach Mettenberger vs Alabama 69% completions, 289 yards, 0 interceptions
Aaron Murray vs Alabama———54% completions, 248 yards, 1 interception
Jamal
January 6th, 2013
10:23 pm
Mason is transfering out.
Big K.
January 6th, 2013
10:26 pm
HOW MANY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES HAVE SCRUB MURRAY APPEARED IN?????
SAME NUMBER AS ME…….ZERO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU BUNCH OF LOSERS!!!!
daddo
January 6th, 2013
10:29 pm
Not true GT DOG, Murray is not Number One in QB efficiency. U are entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts.
RoJo
January 6th, 2013
10:29 pm
Passing efficiency….
Murray is #1 in the nation (against UNRANKED teams)
Murray is #44 in the nation (against RANKED teams)
Jerry Glanville
January 6th, 2013
10:30 pm
Aaron Murray is a good lookin’ Quarterback, however, he ought to be sellin’ insurance………….
davedawg
January 6th, 2013
10:31 pm
IDIOTS BLOG IN ALL CAPS!!!!
RoJo
January 6th, 2013
10:33 pm
Murray against ranked teams is…
#90 in nation in accuracy
AltamahaDawg
January 6th, 2013
10:34 pm
1975? hmm.
That was the year huh?
Texas Dawg
January 6th, 2013
10:36 pm
Wow Murray coming back is great news. I can’t believe some of the these people posting. He just set record for first QB ever to throw for 3000 yards three years in a row in SEC and people are still complain. He also threw 5 TD’s against one of the best pass defenses in the nation and people are still complaining. We will be good next year. Can’t wait.
RoJo
January 6th, 2013
10:41 pm
Hopefully
Murray will practice
SPIKING THE FOOTBALL
At the end of SEC Championships….
SC Dawg
January 6th, 2013
10:41 pm
Can’t wait to see him next year. And for those that wanted to see him leave ealy….Murray has thrown for 3000+ yds each season he has played in and destroyed the #1 pass D in the NCAA. Hunson Mason went 27-47 57.4% 356 Yards 3 TD’s O INT’s in his first two year and none of those came against a good team or was a start vs anyone of those teams he went against. So Murray is the better QB going against Clemson and SC but if he messes up two times then put Mason in to see if he has what it takes.
South Ga Dawg
January 6th, 2013
10:41 pm
WTG AM! EXCITED for you! Thanks for your leadership.
RoJo
January 6th, 2013
10:43 pm
Hutson Mason has had a higher passer rating in every game where he’s played in than Murray.
Moron Dawg Fan
January 6th, 2013
10:44 pm
yeehaw! Me and Lulu are going to start making our plans for the BSC championship game next year! I can just feel it, we’re going to be a lock for #1.
Big K.
January 6th, 2013
10:47 pm
I hope the Mason kid gets an opportunity to start…I think he is a much better leader….
Voyager Dawg
January 6th, 2013
10:48 pm
DGD! Looking forward to seeing this young man destroy the record books next year! Top rate young man, top rate representative for the university, top rate quarterback. Go Dawgs!
Rick James
January 6th, 2013
10:50 pm
@GTDog
Thanks for smacking USC…And start a pettion to hire Ken Wisenhunt
Moist Dawg
January 6th, 2013
10:51 pm
No surprise here. Moist called this over a week ago. Maybe now you will stop calling me crazy and trust my sources.
Good move by Murray. He will be glad he stayed when he drinks from the fountain of glory next season.
tom
January 6th, 2013
10:53 pm
noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ty Baker
January 6th, 2013
10:54 pm
I think all UGA fans, including myself, are able to breathe a little easier knowing Murray had decided to stay. He may not have been the greatest quarterback in BIG games but he showed us he can take beat a top-ranked team in the regular, also being the most hated team of UGA, and can take on a defending national title team in the SEC Championship and only falling short by 5 yards. I believe Murray knows he is capable of winning the big ones and made the right decision by staying with UGA having unfinished business to take care of. Watch out UGA fans we still have a chance for not only taking over the SEC title but also having the ability to get back to another opportunity of playing in the national title game next year. Go dawgs!!
Bobo Fan
January 6th, 2013
11:05 pm
Maybe Bobo gets a head coaches’ job and can make Murray his offensive co-ordinator
Bucknfl
January 6th, 2013
11:09 pm
Murray haters are idiots.
Bobo Fan
January 6th, 2013
11:12 pm
Murray is a great person and a very good QB. But I think Mason has earned the position by biding his time and by not transferring. The dogs have other good QBs also in line and are ready. Murray will not get as many snaps and will split time with Mason and that will cause him to drop alot further in the draft next year.
Buzz-off
January 6th, 2013
11:12 pm
Dawg82 @10:15
Wrong…..they were married in the GT chapel….not Maine!!!
Skokie Dog
January 6th, 2013
11:14 pm
I’m sure that Steve Spurrier couldn’t be happier with this news. USC will surely win its fourth consecutive game versus the ‘Dogs next autumn.
fishawk
January 6th, 2013
11:15 pm
He’s a really good QB. Not pro material and he knows it. Good move on his part. Stay and try to win a championship. Career is over after college. Best of luck.
daddo
January 6th, 2013
11:17 pm
What is the UGA record for throwing interceptions and Pic Sixes?
True Bulldog
January 6th, 2013
11:29 pm
NOOOOOOOOOO!! Lets be honest. Will never win a big game with aaron murray. I wanna see hudson mason. Murray is just like Quincy Carter. I wanna win a national championship. Anything else is unacceptable. Lets rebuild!!!
Fair n Balanced
January 6th, 2013
11:43 pm
GA should be good next year. D was a question this year. Nothing different next. I say we have as godd a chance next year as we did this year.
ROLL DAWGS!
January 6th, 2013
11:55 pm
Aaron Murray is a GREAT DAWG! Georgia will have a GREAT offence next year because of him coming back. All of you talking about Hudson Mason are nuts. He can’t hold a candle to Aaron Murray! He was a walk on at Georgia. I don’t remember anyone wanting him then! Don’t worry Hudson Mason will get plenty of scrub time next year. Maybe with that experience he can beat out the guy coming in this year that is so good! Any way, all of you talking about Hudson Mason need to shut it until he does something! What does he have, 1 passing TD in three years! AARON MURRY IS THE MAN! LOOKING FOR ANOTHER 3000 PLUS PASSING YARDAGE YEAR OUT OF AARON MURRAY NEXT YEAR! GO DAWGS!
BigGAdawg
January 7th, 2013
12:01 am
I am a little surprised to hear this but it is a pleasant surprise. Returning almost all of the starting offense is a great thing. The defense is not rebuilding they are just reloading. It will be another great year–hopefully just slightly greater.
When Murray is done he will own all the significant NCAA QB records.
DGD!!!
WOOF!!!