“Everyone sees the field in a different way and you have to find that,” Oklahoma center Chris Murray echoed to media on Wednesday.
Over the last year, Murray saw the gridiron through a different lens and gained a newfound appreciation for the game he loves through time apart. Amidst a global pandemic, the UCLA transfer missed four games in 2020 after arriving in Norman before gaining his eligibility from the NCAA and played in five games at right guard (64 snaps) in a reserve role.
While waiting on his waiver and the back and forth series of events that ensued, Murray relied on his faith in God to overcome the obstacle.
“All the stuff that was happening, I just had to put my trust in God. I was really, I would say at some points never discouraged, but just that wonder. That if, this, so, what? And I just had to stop that. Really just tell myself to be prepared for when that opportunity does come. That is what I just kept telling myself. I’m a born-again Christian and I just make sure that I just didn’t change from what I was doing. I felt in situations like that people might alter from the path that they are on and maybe do different things that they don’t usually do. I just had to make sure that I was staying true to script. A long couple of months but you stay down for the come-up. That’s on God. You stay down for the come-up.” (Chris Murray on challenges of last year).
Murray never complained, kept his head down, and went to work. He used his setback as a comeback for the 2021 season. The time away from football watching on the sideline provided an outlet for him to become familiar with Oklahoma’s offense and garnering knowledge on Big 12 defensive tendencies. His mental and physical preparation during those challenging months will likely translate onto the field this upcoming season and spark the willpower to become elite.
With the departure of Creed Humphrey to April’s NFL draft, Murray will have an increased leadership role in Bill Bedenbaugh’s offensive line in 2021 at center.
” Chris to me is a really good guard but I do think his best position is center,” Bill Bedenbaugh confirmed to reporters. ” But now, it’s just the mental aspect. We ask our centers to do so much stuff. They are the leader obviously of the offensive line but the offense. They got to get everybody going in the right direction, so it’s mostly just studying things and getting to really understand the offense and getting to understand what the defense is doing.”
Murray will set the tone and become the centerpiece of OU’s front five, protecting Spencer Rattler and creating rush lanes. The middleman’s role is critical. Before each play, he will have to call out protections communicating with his linemates on which defenders to pick up. He ensures skill players make the celebrated plays. Whether it be recognizing/picking up a blitz or pulling on a screen or counter in protection shifts, Murray is up for the task.
” I just feel natural at center…You have to have mental calmness. Being able to be calm when everything is flying around; Slow everything down and calm everybody but also be able to bring that intensity back up. I feel like last year many times I could have been more vocal … my role was just helping when I could and this year has been a big thing for me.”
Given his circumstances, Murray has not been allowed to tap into his full potential yet for the Sooners, but he will be unleashed this upcoming season. The waiting is over and the grind begins now with every snap of the ball. For Murray, his attitude and perspective are leveraging him for stardom. Not just against interior defensive tackles, but in life.
” Patience is a virtue. That’s on God. I’m glad I was patient because it is going to pay off. I know it is … nowhere where I need to be but not where I started too. “