Catch him if you can Fast and powerful, Murray could be a star for Sooners Murray could be a star for Sooners
By John Helsley
Published: April 7, 2007
NORMAN — Oklahoma offensive tackle Trent Williams might need excusing for his limited Sooner historical perspective.
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Still a relative newcomer, the sophomore-to-be Williams wasn't even born when the likes of Steve Owens, Joe Washington or even Billy Sims were rambling running backs in crimson and cream.
And yet, Williams did help clear the way for Adrian Peterson, the school's No. 3 all-time rusher, a year ago. And what he's seen so far from freshman DeMarco Murray — and Williams is not alone here — he sure likes.
Murray, the star of Oklahoma's two major scrimmages, can punctuate an already impressive spring today in the annual Red-White game, set for 1 p.m. on Owen Field.
"DeMarco's really exciting to watch,” Williams said. "I compare him to Reggie Bush a lot with his agility. And he has a lot of power, too. He can be a downhill back when he needs to. He brings a lot of versatility.
"It's something OU hasn't seen, yet.”
Whoa, big fella. Truth is, OU has seen some special things from its running backs over the years. Billy Vessels, Owens and Sims made Heisman Trophy runs from that most prominent Sooner spot, and even more starred as Sooners and in the NFL.
Also seen: more than a few spring flashes, guys who dazzled in March and April only to flame out in their bids to become a factor in the fall.
Not that anybody thinks Murray might be something of a spring fling.
If anything, the thought might lean to Murray forcing his way through a crowd at running back to emerge as a go-to guy in offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson's attack.
At 6-foot, 191 pounds, Murray is fast and elusive. His receiving skills come so natural that he's threatening to steal snaps from wideouts in the slot, where he can take a short pass and parlay his playmaking skills.
"I love to make plays,” Murray said, "put on a couple of moves.”
In the Sooners' two scrimmages, he's rushed for 224 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries.
"A special player,” Bob Stoops called him.
Special enough to be OU's next big thing, next fall?
Could be. But he's running in stout company, with proven producers Allen Patrick and Chris Brown back from their fine fill-in jobs when Peterson was injured for seven games. Another freshman, Mossis Madu, offers excitement, too.
"A lot of positive competition,” Murray said.
And there's some question of whether Murray is ready to be an every-down back.
Still, considering the frustrations of an injury that limited him last fall, Murray's just happy to be part of the mix.
"Last year, I had a nagging toe injury that lasted the whole year. I had to sit out and watch,” Murray said. "This year, I'm back healthy and good as can be.”
Tantalizingly good.
"I love to see a young guy come out here and make big yardage,” Patrick said. "That tells you something big when a young guy can come in against a Division I defense and just rip down the field.”
Murray's injury, a turf toe, robbed him of his greatest assets — speed and cutting ability — and delayed his introduction of those skills to his teammates and coaches.
"It was very, very, very bad for me,” Murray said. "I was having a hard time. I talked to some other players, a couple of my close friends and they said, ‘Just keep getting treatment. Keep getting better.'
"After playing four years of high school and never missing a game, to sit out a whole year was hard. But I got through it and I got myself better.”
Now he's got his chance. And making the most of it.
Cale Gundy, OU's running backs coach who recruited Murray, knew what he had in the player he pulled out of Las Vegas as the No. 2-rated all-purpose back in the country by Rivals.com.
Yet, he wanted to see Murray in crimson.
"I've known him for three years, and I've known what he's capable of doing,” Gundy said. "It was just, was he going to be able to make that transition from playing high school ball in Vegas to coming here and playing Big 12 football?
"He's a competitor, he's got a lot of talent and he's still improving every day. But I'm glad he's on my side.”
Murray is aware of the buzz surrounding his spring success. But he said he also recognizes areas he can improve, pass blocking among them.
"I'm not too worried about all the hype,” Murray said. "I'm just going to keep coming out to practice, work hard and show the coaches what I can do.
"I'm getting a fair shot. Overall, I think I'm doing pretty good. But I don't think I've proven anything yet.”
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Fan information
•When: 1 p.m.
•Where: Owen Field
•Admission: $10; OU students with a valid student ID and children ages 5 and under will be admitted free.
•Fan information: Gates open at 11:30 a.m. Fans can enter through gates 1, 5, 7 and 12. It is recommended that fans have tickets in hand for the game or arrive early to avoid lines. Seating is available throughout the lower bowl of the stadium, but access ramps on the west side are limited because of construction.
Most campus parking lots around the stadium will be available free of charge.
Public restrooms and concessions will only be available on the east side of the stadium.
The Switzer Center will be open to the public approximately one hour before the scrimmage and will close approximately 30 minutes after the scrimmage.
Cameras are not permitted during scrimmages. Other prohibited items are the same as game days, including alcoholic beverages, baby strollers, backpacks and purses larger than 10 inches by 10 inches, and umbrellas.
•Live blog: Go to NewsOK.com today to read a blog from the Red-White game. Find out which players emerged and who looks good going into the fall.
Go to NewsOK.com, keyword: Sooners.
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