The Daily OrangeRecruit | Onondaga's Murray makes headlines as tailback, scout lists as linebacker
By Michael Bonner
Posted: 10/17/07, 11:55 PM EST Section: Sports
When watching Latavius Murray play football, it seems he may have been born to play running back. Last year, Murray rushed for more than 2,000 yards and found the end zone 32 times. Through only six games this season, the Tae Train - as his teammates nicknamed him - has yet to be derailed, racking up 1,433 yards and in 20 scores.
So it's hard to believe that many college coaches are salivating for a chance to have him play linebacker at their school. That's right, linebacker.
When he's not running the ball on offense, Murray finds time on the defensive side of the ball for Onondaga (N.Y.) High School. For the last two seasons, he's been carving up opposing defenses and finding the end zone as well as, if not better than anyone in New York. But Murray is 6-foot-4 and may still be growing, which makes some people think he's too tall for the running back position.
"I think he would have no problem running the ball, but I think a lot of coaches are a little nervous about his size," Onondaga head coach Jason Ryan said. "He's a big target to hit."
Murray is being recruited by Boston College, Central Florida, Maryland, Connecticut and Syracuse. Wearing Orange, though, might be a long shot as Murray said his heart is torn between BC and Central Florida right now.
Not surprisingly, Murray wants to play his natural position of running back in college, which could give the upper hand to the Golden Knights, who want him to play offense next year.
"I'd like to play running back," Murray said. "Just because that's what I'm used to and that's how I made a name for myself."
People may recognize him as a running back around Central New York, but around the country, experts consider him a linebacker. Both Scout.com and Rivals.com have him listed as a three-star linebacker prospect.
"I certainly think he can play running back, but I think he projects better as a linebacker," East Coast Scout.com analyst Matt Alkire said. "Once he hits a college weight room, he could be a real presence. Maryland was recruiting him (to play) the same position as (former Terrapin and current San Diego Charger) Shawne Merriman."
Murray said some schools like Boston College told him not to pay attention to how scouts rate him or what position fits him better. He said it doesn't really affect him that some experts say he's a linebacker, but it's hard sometimes to understand why they say it.
"I just feel that if I was having the success that I'm having on defense then list me as a linebacker," Murray said. "But since I'm having the success I'm having as a running back, I feel that's what I should be listed as. I just feel my position is running back, and I also do play defense, but that's not why people know me."
The switch to linebacker is not a deal breaker for any school in Murray's future, but he said he wouldn't mind some credit for what he has done on the offensive end as a half back.
Murray already plays defense, so it wouldn't be as if he had no experience, should he play linebacker in college. Murray also said he can take what he has learned on offense to defense.
Regardless, it seems Murray has something special about him that cannot be taught, not only on the offensive side of the ball but on defense as well.
"He has a natural nose for the ball," Ryan said. "Wherever the ball is, that's where he is. He sees counters, things like that. He's a great player."
To play football for any Division I school, players need some natural ability, on offense or defense. His outstanding high school numbers don't lie. Murray may play linebacker at the next level, but he wouldn't be the first running back from Onondaga High School to have success after being criticized because of his size.
Murray's close friend and Onondaga graduate, Mike Hart, was once a three-star prospect said to be too small to play for Michigan in the Big Ten. Currently, Hart is viewed by many as one of the best Wolverine running backs of all time.
Being smaller in size as a tailback is one of the few positions in football where it is an advantage because the player has a lower center of gravity. Murray could still be growing, but he reiterated that even though linebacker may be in his future, the running back position is what got people's attention.
"Of course I feel (I've had more success on offense)," Murray said. "When they put it in the paper, you don't hear about how many tackles I had."
More verbal commitments for SU?
This week SU head coach Greg Robinson hinted that the Orange may have received one or two verbal commitments. Due to NCAA regulations, Robinson cannot comment on prospects.
Matt Alkire of Scout.com said he didn't hear or know of any verbal agreements regarding Syracuse. Jarren Brown, a two-star running back from Charles Herbert Flowers (Md.) High School, made an official visit to the Hill last weekend. Due to the timing, Brown may have been one of the commits, but Alkire spoke with Brown's mother who hadn't heard anything about a verbal commitment.
Michael Kay, Brown's teammate and a prospect that has already given Syracuse a verbal commitment, also said he did not hear anything regarding Brown and the Orange.
Another name that has been thrown around is DeAndre Preaster of Thomas R. Proctor High School in Utica, N.Y. Preaster has said in the past that he would like to play for Syracuse. SU is also the only school that has officially made an offer to the wide receiver, according to Scout.com.
Preaster and his coach Jerry Fiorini could not be reached for comment.
So it's hard to believe that many college coaches are salivating for a chance to have him play linebacker at their school. That's right, linebacker.
When he's not running the ball on offense, Murray finds time on the defensive side of the ball for Onondaga (N.Y.) High School. For the last two seasons, he's been carving up opposing defenses and finding the end zone as well as, if not better than anyone in New York. But Murray is 6-foot-4 and may still be growing, which makes some people think he's too tall for the running back position.
"I think he would have no problem running the ball, but I think a lot of coaches are a little nervous about his size," Onondaga head coach Jason Ryan said. "He's a big target to hit."
Murray is being recruited by Boston College, Central Florida, Maryland, Connecticut and Syracuse. Wearing Orange, though, might be a long shot as Murray said his heart is torn between BC and Central Florida right now.
Not surprisingly, Murray wants to play his natural position of running back in college, which could give the upper hand to the Golden Knights, who want him to play offense next year.
"I'd like to play running back," Murray said. "Just because that's what I'm used to and that's how I made a name for myself."
People may recognize him as a running back around Central New York, but around the country, experts consider him a linebacker. Both Scout.com and Rivals.com have him listed as a three-star linebacker prospect.
"I certainly think he can play running back, but I think he projects better as a linebacker," East Coast Scout.com analyst Matt Alkire said. "Once he hits a college weight room, he could be a real presence. Maryland was recruiting him (to play) the same position as (former Terrapin and current San Diego Charger) Shawne Merriman."
Murray said some schools like Boston College told him not to pay attention to how scouts rate him or what position fits him better. He said it doesn't really affect him that some experts say he's a linebacker, but it's hard sometimes to understand why they say it.
"I just feel that if I was having the success that I'm having on defense then list me as a linebacker," Murray said. "But since I'm having the success I'm having as a running back, I feel that's what I should be listed as. I just feel my position is running back, and I also do play defense, but that's not why people know me."
The switch to linebacker is not a deal breaker for any school in Murray's future, but he said he wouldn't mind some credit for what he has done on the offensive end as a half back.
Murray already plays defense, so it wouldn't be as if he had no experience, should he play linebacker in college. Murray also said he can take what he has learned on offense to defense.
Regardless, it seems Murray has something special about him that cannot be taught, not only on the offensive side of the ball but on defense as well.
"He has a natural nose for the ball," Ryan said. "Wherever the ball is, that's where he is. He sees counters, things like that. He's a great player."
To play football for any Division I school, players need some natural ability, on offense or defense. His outstanding high school numbers don't lie. Murray may play linebacker at the next level, but he wouldn't be the first running back from Onondaga High School to have success after being criticized because of his size.
Murray's close friend and Onondaga graduate, Mike Hart, was once a three-star prospect said to be too small to play for Michigan in the Big Ten. Currently, Hart is viewed by many as one of the best Wolverine running backs of all time.
Being smaller in size as a tailback is one of the few positions in football where it is an advantage because the player has a lower center of gravity. Murray could still be growing, but he reiterated that even though linebacker may be in his future, the running back position is what got people's attention.
"Of course I feel (I've had more success on offense)," Murray said. "When they put it in the paper, you don't hear about how many tackles I had."
More verbal commitments for SU?
This week SU head coach Greg Robinson hinted that the Orange may have received one or two verbal commitments. Due to NCAA regulations, Robinson cannot comment on prospects.
Matt Alkire of Scout.com said he didn't hear or know of any verbal agreements regarding Syracuse. Jarren Brown, a two-star running back from Charles Herbert Flowers (Md.) High School, made an official visit to the Hill last weekend. Due to the timing, Brown may have been one of the commits, but Alkire spoke with Brown's mother who hadn't heard anything about a verbal commitment.
Michael Kay, Brown's teammate and a prospect that has already given Syracuse a verbal commitment, also said he did not hear anything regarding Brown and the Orange.
Another name that has been thrown around is DeAndre Preaster of Thomas R. Proctor High School in Utica, N.Y. Preaster has said in the past that he would like to play for Syracuse. SU is also the only school that has officially made an offer to the wide receiver, according to Scout.com.
Preaster and his coach Jerry Fiorini could not be reached for comment.
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