After being the first Sooners taken in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2014, Kenneth Murray could get another first for Oklahoma.
The linebacker ranks third on NFL Draft Media Analyst Lance Zierlein’s list of candidates for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Murray only trails No. 2 overall pick Chase Young out of Ohio State and LSU’s Patrick Queen.
Zierlien immediately cites Murray’s speed, which allowed him to track down 69 solo tackles in his final season at Oklahoma. He finished with 102 in total.
Zierlein mentions Murray has “the ability to move around the field like a big running back once he diagnoses the play.”
While the 6-foot-2, 240-pound linebacker has few flaws, there are areas he can improve.
“If he can improve his ability to leverage gaps and take on blocks, he could end up as this season’s DROY.” Zierlien wrote.
Last season, Murray was named a third-team AP All-American, a second-team AFCA All-American and a first-team All-Big 12 selection by Big 12 coaches and the Associated Press.