Tag: demarco murray

Demarco Murray: Giants’ Eric Gray a tremendous athlete, great leader

Demarco Murray sees New York Giants RB Eric Gray as a “tremendous athlete” and a “great leader” who is extremely coachable.

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The New York Giants believe they added a key contributor in the fifth round of this year’s NFL draft with Oklahoma running back Eric Gray.

Gray, who is compact at 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, began his collegiate career at Tennessee before transferring over to Oklahoma for his final two eligible seasons.

Gray emerged as a star as a senior last year, racking up 1,399 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. He was an All-Big 12 Second-Team selection.

One of Gray’s influences was his position coach at Oklahoma, DeMarco Murray. Yes, the same Demarco Murray who gave the Giants fits as a member of the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles.

Murray, a three-time Pro Bowl running back who once gained 1,845 yards in 2014, went back to his alma mater after his playing days to embark on a coaching career in 2020 after spending one season at the University of Arizona.

Since arriving back in Norman, Murray has developed several running backs who are now with NFL teams: Rhamondre Stevenson (New England), Kennedy Brooks (Philadelphia), and Gray.

“[Gray benefitted from] having a chance to come here and learn from a guy who’s been where he’s trying to get,” Murray said on the Giants Huddle Podcast. “Eric, since the first day I spoke with him, he’s always had a pro mentality. He’s always been very mature, always been an extremely hard work working kid with a great mindset. So for me, just trying to fine-tune some things here and there for him. But more importantly, just letting him know that, hey, man, you’re gonna be coached hard, you’re gonna be coached the right way.

“Eric’s been a great, great person to work with, a tremendous athlete for us, great leader for me. But also, a guy that I knew every day coming to this building, he was one guy I never had to worry about.”

The Giants have Saquon Barkley atop of their depth chart at running back at the moment but they hope they may have caught lightning in a bottle with Gray.

Murray believes they might have largely because of how coachable Gray is.

“Eric has always been a guy that he can see the field. As a coach, you always appreciate a guy that you can talk to in the classroom where you can tell him more detail and then he goes out there and does it that same second, that same way. And he’s always been a guy like that since he stepped on campus for me,” Murray said.

With Barkley still unsigned, Gray could see significant action at next week’s mandatory minicamp. But even if Saquon signs his tender and shows up, Gray is prepared to do what is needed to help the Giants win.

“I’ll do what it takes for the team. I’m a ‘we guy’ not a ‘me guy’ — I’ll do what it takes for the team,” he said.

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Pair of former Sooner RBs included in PFF’s top 32 in the NFL ahead of 2023

Rhamondre Stevenson and Joe Mixon were included in Pro Football Focus’ top 32 running backs in the NFL ahead of the 2023 season.

The Oklahoma Sooners have a long history of producing fantastic running backs. In recent years, [autotag]Joe Mixon[/autotag] and [autotag]Rhamondre Stevenson[/autotag] have taken up the mantle for Oklahoma at the NFL level after [autotag]Adrian Peterson[/autotag] and [autotag]DeMarco Murray[/autotag] passed the torch.

As Pro Football Focus goes through its position rankings, Stevenson and Mixon were included in the top 32 running backs in the NFL ahead of the 2023 season. Stevenson came in at No. 16, and Mixon came in at No. 22.

Stevenson has been very solid to start his NFL career. In each of the past two seasons, he has recorded an 80.0-plus rushing grade. And in both years, he averaged more than 4.7 yards per carry with more than 3.4 yards after contact. The arrow is pointing even higher for Stevenson into 2023 and beyond. — Trevon Sikkema, PFF

Stevenson earned his first 1,000-yard season in 2022, carrying the ball 210 times for 1,040 yards and five touchdowns. He also had 69 receptions for 421 yards and a touchdown, making him an invaluable part of the New England Patriots’ offense.

Mixon has a ton of production in his career. His 814 rushing yards, 16 explosive runs and 3.9 yards per carry average in 2022 were lower than what you would want to see from both a volume and efficiency standpoint, but he remains comfortable with a heavy workload. That includes the passing game, where he recorded a career-high 60 catches and 414 receiving yards in 2022. – Sikkema, PFF

Joe Mixon has been a steady contributor for the Cincinnati Bengals in his six seasons. He’s had three 1,000-yard seasons and has averaged 4.1 yards per carry. Mixon’s scored 50 touchdowns during his tenure with the Bengals.

Even though he had his lowest yardage total when playing at least 14 games since his rookie season, Mixon’s still an incredibly important part of the Bengals’ offensive attack. As Joe Burrow and the passing game have become the focal point, Cincinnati’s offense will allow Mixon to shine through the passing game.

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Jovantae Barnes lands inside College Sports Wire’s list of top 25 running backs in 2023

Jovantae Barnes among College Sports Wire’s top 25 running backs heading into the 2023 season.

[autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag] had a strong freshman season behind Eric Gray in 2022. Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk are in a prime position to take over the Sooners with Gray’s departure for the NFL.

Last season, Barnes carried the ball 116 times for 519 yards and five touchdowns. That performance has many expecting Barnes to be the lead ball carrier and heading toward a breakout season in 2023. With another year under DeMarco Murray and Jeff Lebby’s coaching on offense, it’s hard to imagine Barnes doesn’t surpass his numbers from his freshman season.

Last week Patrick Conn of College Sports Wire ranked Barnes No. 2 among Big 12 running backs ahead of the 2023 season. This week, Barnes just makes the cut on Conn’s list of the top 25 running backs in all of college football.

Barnes is looking to be the next Oklahoma running back that causes headaches for the defense. Last year Eric Gray led the team but with his departure, there is ample opportunity for Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk to show they are ready to carry the load for the Sooners. – Conn, College Sports Wire Regional Editor

He just barely got on the list at No. 25, and a lot of it is because of the potential he has in that Sooners’ offense. He needs to show more this year to stay on this list. If the Oklahoma Sooners can answer some of the questions along the offensive line, look for Barnes to have a breakout year for the Sooners.

No. 1 on the list is Blake Corum after he decided to come back for another season to try and lead Michigan to a national championship for one more year.

Corum opted to return for a fourth season at Michigan over the NFL. He and Bijan Robinson were the top two running backs in the country and with Corum coming back, he is easily RB1 going into 2023. His backup Donovan Edwards picked up the slack and then some in Corum’s absence following his injury. Edwards is another back that is easily among the top five in the Big Ten after rushing for 991 yards and five touchdowns. They might be the best duo in the country. – Conn, College Sports Wire Regional Editor.

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2025 four-star RB Deondrae Riden receives an offer from Oklahoma

2025 running back and four-star recruit Deondrae Riden receives an offer from Oklahoma. Riden has a ton of potential at the next level.

2025 running back and four-star recruit Deondrae Riden has received an offer from the Oklahoma Sooners. He stands at 5-foot-10 and weighs 195 pounds. Riden hails from Desoto, Texas.

He has 30 scholarship offers, with 27 of those offers coming from Power Five programs. Some of the notable offers include Alabama, Georgia, Miami (FL), Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, and USC outside of Oklahoma now.

When you watch Riden’s high school tape, he shows off a ton of speed. He displays good contact balance and has shown the ability to run with power.

Riden is consideed a four-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports and a top 230 player in the country across the board. Rivals has him ranked as the No. 4 running back in the class and he’s a top 40 player in the state of Texas.

DeMarco Murray is looking to build off the success Oklahoma’s already had in the 2025 cycle, picking up commitments from blue-chip Texas prospects Kevin Sperry and Gracen Harris. Murray’s had a lot of success in recent recruiting cycles and there’s no reason to suspect that will change moving forward.

Deondrae Riden’s Recruiting Profile

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Giants’ Eric Gray credits DeMarco Murray for personal, professional growth

Eric Gray has nothing but praise for long-time New York Giants rival DeMarco Murray, who he credits for molding him into the player he is.

Retired Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles running back DeMarco Murray was a long-time rival of the New York Giants. But life in the NFL has a way of circling back around and for everything Murray taketh from the Giants, he now giveth through fifth-round pick Eric Gray.

Gray transferred from Tennessee to Oklahoma in January of 2021 and then his career took off. He became an all-around talent and in 2022, set career marks with 1,366 rushing yards, 229 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns.

Now, Gray is with the Giants and will battle for the job to backup superstar Saquon Barkley. It’s something he feels he owes to Murray.

“DeMarco was a big important piece for me and kind of the reason I went to Oklahoma. I feel like him playing the game at a high level, he could teach me a lot about being a pro in this league, what it takes to be a pro, what I need to do to get better to get to this level,” Gray told reporters on Saturday.

Murray was an ace up the sleeve for Gray, who got to learn firsthand what it took to be a professional. Those lessons served him well.

“The most important thing I took from him is just being a pro every single day, no matter what’s going on,” Gray said. “Everybody has something going on, and you have to be on your P’s and Q’s every single day.

“DeMarco was the key to teaching me a lot about being successful in this league.”

Gray now needs to take what he learned from Murray and apply it to NFL life. The good news is he got a headstart in terms of film study, understanding coverages, and the overall mental aspect of the game.

“He knows about playing in the flow, playing in the heat of the battle, being out there and knowing fronts, knowing coverages. He taught me a lot about reading the defense before the play happens, reading it pre-snap to give you a feel on where the ball is going to hit or even protection maybe,” Gray said.

Gray is expected to play a significant role for the Giants in 2023, both on offense and special teams.

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Eric Gray on his way to the Big Apple after being selected by the New York Giants

Oklahoma’s Eric Gray is headed to the Big Apple after being selected by the New York Giants in the 2023 NFL draft.

After having two Sooners off the board on Friday night, Oklahoma finally sees their first Sooner off the board on Saturday as running back Eric Gray will head to the northeast and join the New York Giants.

Gray was taken in the fifth round with pick No. 172.

The New York Giants took a step forward this year behind first-year head coach Brian Daboll. Daboll earned his stripes helping transform Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense into a machine over the last few years.

He entered the facility light on playmakers, aside from former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley, one of the league’s most gifted athletes, has struggled with injuries since coming into the NFL. While he put together a relatively healthy year culminating in a Giants playoff berth, Eric Gray’s provides significant value to the Giants roster.

 

Gray offers insurance in the event of an injury or Barkley’s contract negotiations stall. New York gave their star running back the franchise tag, but the two sides have until mid-July to work out an extension. Otherwise they’ll do the dance again in the 2024 offseason.

Gray’s effortless-looking running style provided the catalyst for a breakout season in 2022.

He ran for 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 229 receiving yards on 33 catches. Gray was arguably Oklahoma’s best player on the offense. For his efforts, he earned first-team All-Big 12 recognition from PFF and was an All-Big 12 second-team selection by league coaches and the Associated Press.

Gray earned Academic All-Big 12 first-team honors while being one of three recipients of the program’s coveted Don Key Award (presented for excellence on and off the field).

Gray’s final season in Norman was a marked improvement from his first year where he struggled to establish himself behind running back Kennedy Brooks. The numbers and production weren’t there, but a full offseason working with running backs coach DeMarco Murray and more opportunities gave him the runway to take off. Now he’s taking his talents to the next level with the New York Giants.

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Predictions continue to favor Xavier Robinson to the Oklahoma Sooners

Another prediction comes in favoring the Oklahoma Sooners to land three-star running back Xavier Robinson.

[autotag]Xavier Robinson[/autotag] is a very talented three-star running back out of Oklahoma City. Rivals’ national recruiting analyst Nick Harris joined the fray predicting the Carl Albert product to land with the Oklahoma Sooners.

Robinson is scheduled to commit on May 10. He’s a homegrown Oklahoma kid, so it makes sense that the Sooners would’ve left a big impression.

DeMarco Murray is Robinson’s primary recruiter, with Venables playing a role too. With Murray, as involved with Robinson as he’s been, there’s little doubt that Robinson will play running back at the college level for the Sooners.

He’d be a massive running back at 6-foot-2 and 225 lbs., but his power would be on full display at that size. He’s a dynamic runner with big play ability due to his physicality and athleticism.

This would be a big get, and one Sooner fans should be very happy about when it happens.

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Four-star running back Taylor Tatum includes Oklahoma in his Top 7

The Sooners are still in the running for four-star running back Taylor Tatum, who included Oklahoma among his top 7.

Oklahoma has seen its offensive recruiting efforts get off to a splendid start for 2024. They’ve landed a commitment from four-star QB [autotag]Michael Hawkins[/autotag], four-star wide receiver [autotag]K.J. Daniels[/autotag], and three-star tackle [autotag]Isaiah Autry[/autotag].

The Sooners look to continue to add more offensive weapons for the future. Four-star wide receiver [autotag]Zion Kearney[/autotag] plans to announce his commitment on Wednesday, and the Sooners still remain out in front. Five-star WR [autotag]Bryant Wesco[/autotag] remains the priority offensive target for the Sooners.

For a team like Oklahoma, where the running game means so much, the Sooners have yet to land a commitment from a running back in the 2024 recruiting class.

One target [autotag]DeMarco Murray[/autotag] has on his radar is four-star [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag]. Tatum’s a talented and explosive running back out of Longview, Texas. He dropped a top-seven list after his visit to Columbus and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Tatum is one of the nation’s best backs, and it’s only fitting that his top seven would include some of the nation’s best. Oklahoma, Texas, Michigan, USC, Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas A&M, all remain possible landing spots.

 

Texas and Texas A&M have the home-state draw, while Oklahoma boasts a history of talented runners and an offensive coordinator who loves running the ball. The two schools to look out for right now would be the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines. The two Big 10 rivals, along with the Texas schools, feel like they have a bit of a lead on the Sooners, and Oklahoma will have some ground to make up.

Oklahoma does, however, have an official visit locked in with Tatum. He plans to visit on June 16. The time in Norman will afford Oklahoma the opportunity to put a dent into the standing the other schools have built with Tatum.

With so many schools still in the running, this recruitment seems far from over, and Oklahoma has a chance to make a substantial impression.

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Oklahoma running back target Xavier Robinson announces commitment date

One of several running backs the Oklahoma Sooners are in hot pursuit of, in-state product Xavier Robinson sets commitment date.

The dominos have been falling for the Oklahoma Sooners in the month of April. After Jeremiah Newcombe broke the ice in March, Oklahoma’s picked up four more commitments this month, the latest coming from four-star safety Jayden Hardy.

Well, the month of May has a chance to be strong as well as one of Oklahoma’s running back targets has locked down his decision date. Three-star in-state product [autotag]Xavier Robinson[/autotag] plans to announce his commitment on May 10.

Robinson, The Oklahoman’s 5A offensive player of the year, had an incredible junior season, rushing for 2,598 yards and 39 touchdowns to lead Carl Albert to the 5A state championship.

The Oklahoma Sooners have been the overwhelming favorite for some time after Robinson received his offer back on January 27. 247Sports and Rivals have each issued predictions favoring the Sooners.

He’s a physical player that is able to take on tacklers and win at the point of attack. Oklahoma’s in the running for several backs in the 2024 cycle, but Robinson looks like a priority target for DeMarco Murray and the Sooners.

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DeMarco Murray looking for a running back Sooners ‘can rely on every single day’

The Oklahoma Sooners have a talented group of runners, but who will emerge to be Oklahoma’s lead back in 2023?

The Oklahoma Sooners are in a familiar position at running back. They’re looking to find the guy that will replace last season’s leading rusher.

Two years ago, they were working to replace [autotag]Rhamondre Stevenson[/autotag]. Last spring, they were again looking for their lead running back after the departure of [autotag]Kennedy Brooks[/autotag].

They found answers each offseason. So there should be no concern. However, the question remains, who will be Oklahoma’s lead running back in 2023?

“I’m looking for a starter. That’s why we’re able to have the depth that we have here,” [autotag]DeMarco Murray[/autotag] said after Tuesday’s practice.

The Oklahoma Sooners have a depth chart as deep as it has been during Murray’s time in Norman. Though young, it’s four deep with blue-chip running backs [autotag]Marcus Major[/autotag], [autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag], [autotag]Gavin Sawchuck[/autotag], and [autotag]Daylan Smothers[/autotag]. Three-star runner [autotag]Kalib Hicks[/autotag] was probably one of the more underrated additions of the 2023 signing class after an incredible career at Denton Ryan.

The Sooners have talented running backs to work with. Barnes and Sawchuk entered the spring as the backs at the front of the line. The two had memorable Cheez-It Bowl performances, each rushing for over the 100-yard mark in the three-point loss to Florida State.

“Just speaking on those two guys (Barnes and Sawchuk), they’ve always had a terrific mindset,” Murray said about his returning running backs. “They’ve always had a great working habit. We’re fortunate to have them here. But we have to continue to learn and continue to grow and get stronger and get faster in all areas. I’m pleased with where they are now.”

With Major, Barnes, and Sawchuk, the Sooners have guys with some significant experience. It’s not in the same vein as Kennedy Brooks, who entered the 2021 season already with a pair of 1,000-yard seasons under his belt. At the same time, they have the experience they can build upon as Oklahoma looks for their next lead running back.

But what is Murray looking for at the running back position?

“Just a guy that you know can rely on every single day. A guy like Eric Gray, who was kind of our comfort blanket,” Murray shared on Tuesday. “No matter what happened out there, no matter what the situation was, two-minute, short-yardage, situation football, he was going to be there. He was going to get it done.”

The Sooners will deploy multiple running backs in Jeff Lebby’s up-tempo offense. Still, Oklahoma needs to find the guy they can role out there in every situation.

Gone are Eric Gray’s 246 touches. He’s going to make an NFL team happy as an incredible value selection in the middle rounds of the draft. So who will step up to replace that workload?

Barnes looks like the favorite to do so, but don’t count out the rest of the running back room as well. They’re a talented bunch that will be vying for snaps this spring and into fall camp.

“We’ve got a great group of backs who are competing for playing time and competing for that top spot. It’s been great to see and sit back and watch. They’ve got the right mindset, an extremely talented room but a close room. So for us, man, we’re as close as hell, but at the end of the day, we also compete when we step out on the field.”

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