When DeMarco Murray arrived at Oklahoma in 2006, he came with great accolades. Murray enters the 2010 season as part of the three-headed monster prognosticator Phil Steele believes will lead the Sooners to the top spot in the nation.
Click here for my spotlight on Ryan Broyles
Click here for my spotlight on Landry Jones
When Murray left high school, he was highly recruited. ESPN.com ranked him the No. 1 running back and the No. 6 overall player in the nation. He also was a SuperPrep All-American, Student Sports All-American and Sports Illustrated All-American.
When Murray arrived, Adrian Peterson was the man in Norman causing Murray to redshirt his first year at Oklahoma. Murray was also unable to win the starting job in his freshman year, backing up Allan Patrick. Despite his backup role, Murray outscored Patrick and led the Sooners in touchdowns with 13.
In Murray’s sophomore season, he found himself sharing the load with starter Chris Brown. In the Sooners record setting offensive attack, Murray and Brown combined for 34 touchdowns on the ground while Murray added four more through the air.
The Sooners had a letdown in 2009 but Murray continued to do nothing but score touchdowns, running for eight and catching four more. Heading into his senior year, Murray has scored 37 touchdowns over his three-year career. In 2010, he will finally get the chance to carry the load for the first time since he signed with OU.
Along with his teammates, Murray surged in the last two games of the season. In the regular season finale against Oklahoma State, Murray ran for 72 yards and scored two touchdowns.
"It was a big rival,” Murray said following that game. “I think we played together for the first time as a team. Special teams, defensively, and offensively, we were one unit. I thought it was a great victory today for us."
The 2010 Sooners need Murray to step it up this year. Landry Jones has a year of experience under his belt and Ryan Broyles presents him with an electrifying target. With that kind of passing game, there is no reason to believe Murray won’t find the space he needs to continue putting points on the board.
DeMarco Murray (7, Running Back)
2006 - Redshirt
2007 - 764 yds / 13 TD / 14 rec / 60 yds / 2 TD
2008 - 1002 yds / 14 TD / 31 rec / 395 yds
2009 - 705 yds / 8 TD / 41 rec / 522 yds / 4 TD
The Oklahoma Sooners begin their season September 4 against Utah State.
Make sure you check out other recent Sooners news articles:
Blake Griffin used to try to woo LeBron James to Los Angeles
Oklahoma head coach Jeff Capel leads the U.S. to a gold medal
Learn when you can meet the Oklahoma Sooners football team
Who is more valuable: Bob Stoops or Mack Brown?
Will the Oklahoma-Texas game be moved to December?
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