Tag: Aaron Murray

Former Georgia great Aaron Murray gives outlook on UGA QBs

Murray talks Carson Beck, future Georgia QBs

Although Georgia has to replace two-time national championship winner Stetson Bennett, the Bulldogs’ quarterback room looks to be in good hands for seasons to come.

Fourth-year signal caller Carson Beck is the obvious choice to start this fall. The former four-star prospect backed-up Bennett last season and performed well when called upon.

Former Georgia quarterback and the SEC’s all-time leading passer, Aaron Murray, gave his take on Beck’s game on Monday at ESP’s Big Ball Fore All golf tournament.

“I’ve loved his game for the past few years,” Murray said. “Big kid, great arm, can make the throws. More athletic than people are most likely anticipating going into the season.”

Beck completed 26 of 35 passes for 310 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in mop-up duties in 2022.

Murray says that Beck’s supporting cast has what it takes to make the transition an easy one.

“(Beck) has got probably the best depth of receivers that Georgia has had in quite some time. You’ve got incredible tight ends, you’ve got a really good offensive line and you’ve got a great stable of running backs.”

Georgia also has former five-star quarterback Brock Vandagriff, a redshirt sophomore, and former four-star Gunner Stockton, who enters his redshirt freshman season.

The future is bright for the Bulldogs at quarterback beyond the room as it stands. Dylan Raiola, the nations’ top prospect, and four-star recruit Ryan Puglisi are both committed to Georgia in the 2024 recruiting class.

“The more, the merrier, man,” Murray said. “You can’t have enough quarterbacks, especially in this age when a guy tomorrow can pick up and hit the transfer portal. You have to be able to stockpile that position, you know, create competition.”

We will get our first look at the Bulldogs’ new offense ran by new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo on Sept. 2 in Athens as Georgia takes on the University of Tennessee at Martin to kickoff the 2023 season.

 

Aaron Murray reveals his dad warned him to stay away from Aaron Hernandez during high school recruiting trip

Aaron Murray revealed that his dad actually warned him to stay away from Aaron Hernandez during a high school recruiting trip to Florida

Aaron Murray signed with Georgia as a five-star quarterback in the class of 2009. Murray, out of Plant High School in Tampa, Florida, chose the Bulldogs over the Gators in April of 2008.

Murray posted a clip from his podcast “SNAPS” on Tuesday detailing a significant experience during his senior year of high school when he went to Gainesville to visit the University of Florida.

Murray and his father arrived in Gainesville, about 90 minutes north of their home in Tampa. Immediately catching Murray’s attention were standout Florida players such as quarterback Tim Tebow and linebacker Brandon Spikes.

 

And then out walked tight end Aaron Hernandez…

“I remember my dad looking at me,” Murray said, remembering the moment they spotted Hernandez.

“He still reminds me to this day of this, saying ‘I don’t know who that kid really is, but if you commit to Florida I don’t think you should hangout with him.'”

Obviously, Murray’s father’s cautionary statement held some pretty significant weight. Hernandez, a former star tight end for Florida, went on to have a promising career in the NFL with the New England Patriots. That is until he became entangled in criminal activities that included murder.

“It was just the way he (Hernandez) was interacting with coaches and players. Just that kind of look in his eyes. I remember my dad literally looking at me, saying ‘I’m being dead-ass serious here, Aaron. If you commit to Florida, I don’t think you should get anywhere near that kid.

Stay close to Tim, stay far from Aaron.'”

Sometimes parents have that sixth sense when it comes to sniffing out trouble.

ESPN ranks top 75 QBs of the 2000s and includes three Georgia players

Three Dawgs made the list. I think it should have been four. And I think Stetson is not getting enough respect.

The quarterback position in college football holds immense significance, and the University of Georgia has possessed its share of talented signal-callers.

Recently, ESPN unveiled its ranking of the top 75 college football quarterbacks of the 2000s, presenting an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of several Georgia players who made the list.

Notably, the rankings included Stetson Bennett, Aaron Murray and David Greene, while leaving off former No. 1 overall pick Matthew Stafford.

The order for Georgia quarterbacks is:

37. Stetson Bennett

43. Aaron Murray

69. David Greene

On Bennett, ESPN wrote:

He won the starting job in 2020 and 2021 only because others got injured, but damned if he didn’t make the most of his opportunities. In 2021-22, he produced the second-best Total QBR, completed 67% of his passes and, oh yeah, won a pair of national titles. In four career CFP games, he threw for 1,239 yards and 12 TDs. Not bad for a former walk-on.

But is No. 37 too low? I definitely think so. In my mind, and maybe I’m biased, Bennett is a top-10 quarterback. Maybe he was not as electric as a Lamar Jackson or a Burrow, but the dude won two national titles.

Regarding Murray, ESPN wrote:

Murray resurrected the Mark Richt era in Athens, leading the Dawgs to within seconds of the BCS Championship game in 2012 and not only finishing with the most passing yards in the history of the SEC, but finishing nearly 1,000 yards ahead of second-place Drew Lock and nearly 2,000 yards ahead of third-place David Greene.

Murray holds nearly all of the Georgia and SEC passing records. Throughout his four season as the Georgia starter, he led the team to a 36-18 record. But for Murray, it was all about his outstanding numbers. In his career, he had 921 completions on 1,478 attempts (62.3%) for 13,166 yards, and 121 touchdowns, all of which are Georgia records.

And lastly, ESPN had this to say of Greene:

The starter for Mark Richt’s first four years in Athens, Greene produced consistent numbers and finished his career with a then-record 42 wins, topping Peyton Manning’s record.

Greene started all four of his seasons at UGA and had a 42-10 record (80.77 win %) throughout his entire career. He put up amazing stats, including 849/1440 (59%), 11,528 passing yards, 72 touchdowns and 32 interceptions.

The top five are:

  1. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
  2. Cam Newton, Auburn
  3. Vince Young, Texas
  4. Tim Tebow, Florida
  5. Joe Burrow, LSU

Aaron Murray reacts to Georgia landing 5-star QB Dylan Raiola

Former UGA quarterback Aaron Murray is excited that Georgia landed a commitment from 5-star Dylan Raiola

The Georgia Bulldogs are primed to secure the top recruiting class in the country after adding a commitment from five-star quarterback and top-ranked recruit Dylan Raiola.

Former Georgia star quarterback Aaron Murray is excited that the Dawgs landed Raiola. Georgia won back-to-back national championships with walk-on quarterback Stetson Bennett. Imagine what the Bulldogs could do with five-star quarterback Raiola.

Will Dylan Raiola be the first five-star quarterback to sign with Georgia since Justin Fields? Syndication: Arizona Republic

Aaron Murray is also optimistic about Georgia’s projected starting quarterback Carson Beck entering the 2023 college football season. Murray is confident Beck has the talent to enter the 2024 NFL draft.

Overall, Georgia could have a potential 2024 quarterback room of Brock Vandagriff, Beck, Gunner Stockton and Raiola. This assumes Beck does not enter the 2024 draft. We agree with Murray that this room would be too crowded and at least one player would likely want out.

For now, Georgia fans should simply enjoy gaining a commitment from an elite recruit such as Raiola. There are not many quarterbacks with skills like his.

Murray reacted to Raiola’s commitment via social media:

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Aaron Murray ranks top-five greatest Georgia QBs of all-time

Aaron Murray ranks Georgia’s top-five quarterbacks of all-time

Stetson Bennett may not be the best player in the history of Georgia football – that title still belongs to Herschel Walker. But after winning his second College Football Playoff national championship, Bennett leaves UGA as the greatest quarterback to ever don the red and black in the program’s storied history.

Former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray, who holds nearly every UGA and SEC passing record, has been a fan of Bennett’s since Day 1. Murray, who is the co-owner of The Players’ Lounge – a digital collaborative space for college fan bases – recently tweeted his top-five Georgia quarterbacks of all time and showed Bennett plenty of love.

Aaron Murray’s top-five quarterbacks in the history of Georgia football:

‘UGA Football Live with J.C. Shelton’: Championship preview with Aaron Murray

Aaron Murray joins the show to breakdown the championship!

Host J.C. Shelton is joined by Georgia quarterback great Aaron Murray to breakdown the national championship! 

Your friends at UGA Football Live and UGA Wire present your one-stop-shop podcast for all things Georgia football: “UGA Football Live with J.C. Shelton.”

Streaming on Youtube as a part of The Pulse Sports Network or wherever you get your podcasts.

Stats, analysis and interviews with some Georgia greats. We are here every week throughout the 2022 season with everything you need to be prepared for the Bulldogs’ matchups.

Listen here, on Spotify:

Listen here, on Apple Podcasts

Also on the show:

  • Injury updates on Darnell Washington, Chaz Chambliss, Warren McClendon among others. 

Make sure to subscribe, rate and review! And check out one of our latest interviews with former Georgia offensive lineman Chris Burnette!

ESPN CFB analyst Aaron Murray updates top-ten rankings after Week 11

ESPN’s @AaronMurray11 updates new top-ten

Former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray, now a college football analyst with ESPN, provided his personal rankings of the top 10 teams following Week 11.

Week 11 proved another exciting weekend of college football. The top contenders — Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio State, TCU and Michigan — took care of business. The Horned Frogs showed the nation they’re here to stay by going into Austin and beating Texas, 17-10.

LSU and Georgia clinched spots in the SEC championship on Dec. 3. The biggest news of the day, though, came when Washington took down Oregon in a thrilling game, killing the Ducks’ playoff dreams. The Huskies improve to 8-2.

Murray’s rankings, plus each team’s national title odds (courtesy of BetMGM), following Week 11:

ESPN CFB analyst Aaron Murray reveals new top-ten after eventful Week 10

ESPN’s @AaronMurray11 reveals new top-ten after a crazy Week 10

Just when we thought college football peaked in Week 7, we witnessed an incredible Week 10 on Saturday.

The headliner of the day was No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 1 Tennessee (CFP rankings). But that’s not the game people outside of Athens and Knoxville will be talking about this week after the Bulldogs dominated in a 27-13 win. The highlight of the day was LSU’s 32-31 overtime victory over Alabama. But we cannot forget Notre Dame’s absolute beat down of the Clemson Tigers, who the committee had ranked ahead of Michigan at No. 4.

Former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray, now a college football analyst with ESPN, provided me with his personal rankings of the top 10 teams following Week 10. Murray is showing love to the undefeateds in his new rankings.

Murray’s rankings, plus each team’s national title odds (courtesy of BetMGM), following Week 10:

Former SEC QB, current ESPN analyst gives take on Clemson’s QB situation

Earlier this week, a former SEC signal-caller and current ESPN analyst gave his take on Clemson’s quarterback situation. Aaron Murray, the former Georgia quarterback who joined ESPN’s analyst roster this season, doesn’t think the Tigers have a …

Earlier this week, a former SEC signal-caller and current ESPN analyst gave his take on Clemson’s quarterback situation.

Aaron Murray, the former Georgia quarterback who joined ESPN’s analyst roster this season, doesn’t think the Tigers have a quarterback controversy despite the fact that starter DJ Uiagalelei was benched for true freshman Cade Klubnik in last week’s 27-21 win over Syracuse.

“When it comes to quarterback controversies at Clemson … DJ U got benched (last) weekend for Klubnik,” Murray said on SNAPS With Aaron and T-Bob. “I don’t think there is a quarterback controversy. I don’t see Dabo making a change during the off week, and all of a sudden Klubnik’s going to be the quarterback versus Notre Dame.”

Prior to turning the ball over three times against Syracuse, including two interceptions and a fumble that was returned for a touchdown, Uiagalelei had thrown for 12 touchdowns with only one pick in the Tigers’ previous four games.

“DJ U has played, I would say, well this year,” Murray said. “You take away this past weekend’s game versus a very good Syracuse defense, he’s had 12 touchdowns to one interception, and that’s versus Wake Forest, that’s versus NC State, that’s versus BC, that’s versus Florida State.”

After the Syracuse game, Dabo Swinney backed Uiagalelei, saying he’s still Clemson’s starter despite a rough day that ended with him on the sideline for much of the second half.

“Sometimes Steph Curry goes 2-for-25. Your best players sometimes can have a bad day,” Swinney said. “He just got out of rhythm and made some bad plays, and we just needed a change. … DJ’s our quarterback. There ain’t no question about that. That’s our guy. That’s our leader. You can write that right now. DJ’s our guy. Now, he’s got to play better, and he will. But how about Cade Klubnik coming in and leading these guys.”

While Murray seems to agree with Swinney saying Uiagalelei is still the Tigers’ QB1, he does have one problem with what Clemson’s head coach had to say after the game.

“The only issue I have right now, which is quite hilarious actually – Dabo’s comments after the game comparing DJ U to Steph Curry, where it’s like oh, even Steph Curry has an off night and you’ve got to put him on the bench for a little bit,” Murray said. “Let’s not compare DJ U to the greatest 3-point shooter of all time.”

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

ESPN CFB analyst Aaron Murray reveals top-10 after wild Week 7

ESPN’s @aaronmurray11 reveals new top-ten after an incredible Week 7

Is there anything better than college football? Week 7 lived up to the hype, with great game after great game all day. Here’s a quick recap:

In one of the best games you’ll ever see, Tennessee took down Alabama in a 52-49 thriller. In a top-10 battle, Michigan ran all over Penn State en route to a 41-17 win. Ohio State had the week off, Georgia took care of business against Vanderbilt, Clemson took down FSU despite a late push from the Seminoles and Ole Miss beat Auburn 48-34. In double overtime, TCU beat Oklahoma State, 43-40, ending the Cowboys’ undefeated season. And to close the night, Utah earned a huge win over USC, 43-42.

Former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray, now a college football analyst with ESPN, provided me with his personal rankings of the top 10 teams following Week 7.

Murray’s rankings, plus each team’s national title odds (courtesy of BetMGM), following Week 7: