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PLAYER OVERVIEW
University of Minnesota was rarely discussed for having one of the top cornerback tandems in the country, but the Gophers belong in the discussion with the talented senior duo of Eric Murray and Briean Boddy-Calhoun and Murray, a three-year starter with a school-best 24 pass breakups during that time.
Murray wasted little time in getting onto the field, logging snaps in all 13 games as a true freshman, albeit mostly on special teams. He emerged as a starter as a true sophomore in 2013 and never looked back, recording 187 tackles, 24 pass breakups, five forced fumbles, two interceptions and two blocked kicks over his career, earning All-Big-Ten accolades after each of his starting seasons.
Perhaps because he doesn't possess the glitzy interception numbers, Murray hasn't often been touted as a top cornerback prospect. His steady tape, however, argues otherwise. It was Murray and not his more heralded teammate Boddy-Calhoun, for example, who was given the Carl Eller Award in 2015 as the team's best overall defender, as well as being named the Gophers' best defensive back of the year.
STRENGTHS: While perhaps lacking top ballskills, Murray, who lines up as the boundary corner, is very well-rounded with good size, speed and physicality for the position. He possesses a well-built, NFL-ready frame with good size, broad shoulders, length and muscular development. Plays with a pro's mentality, showing confidence in coverage as well as in run support. Murray is well-versed in press, off and zone coverages, showing off his versatility as a reliable run defender and blitzer. He seems to enjoy the physicality of the game, lowering his shoulder and bringing his hips to deliver forceful hits to ball-carriers. Murray shows the time he's spent in the film room, diagnosing routes and quickly reacting to pick plays and quick screens. Doesn't panic when the ball is in the air, snaking his hand between those of the would-be receiver to rip the ball free. Voted a team captain in 2015 and was highly touted by the coaching staff and his teammates for his commitment on and off the field.
WEAKNESSES: More physical than flashy as an NFL prospect and may lack ideal top-end speed. Inconsistent hand placement when lined up in press, extending an arm to "guide" the receiver throughout much of the route and drew his share of holding penalties... Accelerates fluidly for a corner of his size but tops out quickly and could be vulnerable to verticals in the NFL. Is such an aggressive tackler that he'll fail to break down effectively, at times, ducking his head to deliver a blow and whiffing entirely.
IN OUR VIEW: With only two career interceptions, Murray doesn't receive much attention on a national level, but he is a playmaker in other ways, breaking up passes and forcing fumbles (including a team-leading three in 2015) over the past three seasons and is lauded by Minnesota coaches for his work ethic and competitive drive on and off the field, also excelling on special teams.
--Rob Rang (@robrang) (2/16/16)
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