Quarterback Countdown- #8 Aaron Murray- Georgia

I’m a Bulldogs fan so this one hits close to home. Aaron Murray started for four years for my Bulldogs and while he managed to end his career with more yards than any other QB in SEC history he never seemed to be able to win the big game. Despite his inability to win when it counts Murray seemed to be pretty locked in to at least a 3^rd round pick but then he tore his ACL against Kentucky in November. The injury has thrown Murray’s draft-stock into a tailspin. Murray plans to be ready to throw at Georgia’s April 16^th pro day. A strong pro day is going to be essential if Murray wants to regain his former standing in the eyes of NFL scouts.

During his 4 year career Murray passed for 13,166 yards, 121 TDs, 41 INTs with a completion percentage of 62.3%. As a senior Murray threw for 3,075 yards, 26 TDs, 9 INTs and a completion percentage of 64.8%. Murray ranked 8^th in completion percentage out of my top ten QBs and 4^th in yards per completion. Murray ranked 9^th in completion percentage out of my top 10 QBs during the 2013 season but ranked 4^th in yards per completion. Those numbers are a reflection of Georgia’s offense pushing the ball down the field.

Strengths:

Arm Strength- Murray has above average arm strength and it shows on post routes and deep in routes. Murray has the arm strength to make the deep out and comeback throws that many NFL teams ask their QBs to make. See the video below.

Touch- Murray appears to have above average touch. He has the ability to drop passes in between zone coverage and has good control on deep balls. See the video below.

Footwork- Murray has consistent footwork and quickly gets his weight shifted before hitting the top of his drop.

Weaknesses:

Decision Making/Reading Coverage- Murray has a hard time reading coverage. He has an especially hard time identifying underneath coverage. He has a tendency to lock in on his receiver which DBs and LBs pick up on very quickly. He stares down his receiver, a DB or LB peels off his underneath coverage and gets an easy pick. It happens way too frequently. There are plenty of examples in the video below.

Release-Murray’s release is a bit loopy. The ball dips down below his elbow before coming returning to the position that it should be in before beginning to move forward. Murray is very coachable so I’m sure that it’s something that can be fixed at the next level. It will need to be addressed to reduce the chance of fumbles.

Overview:

Aaron Murray is going to make it in the NFL. I’m not sure if it will be as a starter or a backup but he’s going to make it. He’s a short pocket passer with above average arm strength, mobility and touch. Murray really has one thing that he needs to focus on improving and that’s his ability to read defenses. Murray really struggled with identifying coverage at the collegiate level and it gets a lot more difficult in the pros. He’ll need to sit for at least a year but when he learns how to use read defenses quickly and use his eyes he can definitely start in the league. The question is which teams think that they can coach him up and how long it will take. Aaron never lived up to his full potential at Georgia and I think he knows that. Over the next few months people will knock Murray for never winning big game, his height and the health of his knee. The bottom line is that the team that drafts him will be getting a player that competes on every play. At some point he’ll get a shot as a starter.

Draft Projection- 4^th round. Murray has too much ability to last any longer than the 4^th round unless teams are concerned about his knee. I could see a team taking him in the third if they fall in love with him.

That’s all for now. 

Thanks again to the guys at draftbreakdown.com for all the work you do compiling prospect video.

I’ll be back soon with QB #7.