*Our LB grades can and will change as more information comes in from Pro Day workouts, leaked Wonderlic test results, etc. We will update ratings as new info becomes available.
This scouting report is pretty simple – Kenneth Murray is an inside linebacker with no real flaws and is arguably one of the best linebacker prospects of the past few years.
Murray can do it all. I just had to stop the tape sessions early and call it – it was the same guy playing every game. He just moves so well for an interior linebacker – he can backpedal into coverage, or hold his ground waiting to read the play and pounce, and/or when he sees the play he goes from 0-to-60 in a blink and is making the play.
The guy is always moving, never flat-footed or wildly guessing…he just reads situations and chases the ball effectively, very effectively. Sometimes he reads the play pre-snap and when he decides to fly forward, he’s usually (a) right about what he saw, (b) in the backfield in the blink of an eye.
I watched him against LSU, Baylor, Texas…same guy, rarely/never fazed. I will say that Joe Burrow got the best of him in a lot of mind games…it was the first/only time I saw Murray more on the defensive instead a bunch instead of on the offensive – another gold star for Burrow’s abilities.
Murray is not making highlights by how hard he hits people…he hits them just fine, but his game is about speed and being in the right place at the right time and making the proper play. He doesn’t overcommit or try to make the highlight reels or wildly celebrate everything he does…he just happens…he does his job, he’s a force.
Murray is one of the better linebacker prospects I’ve watched in years…but then add in he’s, perhaps, the best team leader of any prospect in this draft – and you have gold. A guy who was voted captain at Oklahoma when he was a sophomore.
I don’t know if ‘A+’ or ‘A’ or ‘B+’ is the right grade for Murray, I just know he’s not going to bust and he’s not going to be a locker room issue. He may be the least likely to bust prospect in the draft. He’s the kind of player coaches and teammates love.
Kenneth Murray, Through the Lens of Our ILB Scouting Algorithm:
Typically had his best games/statistical outputs in the biggest games, against the best opponents. He ended the season/his career facing Baylor twice, TCU, Oklahoma State and LSU (CFB playoffs) and averaged 8.0 tackles, 1.9 TFLs, and 0.30 sacks per game…all ahead of his seasonal per game pace.
155 total tackles in 2018…leading the Big 12 and #2 in the NCAA that season.
#2 (2019) and #3 (2018) in solo tackles in the Big 12.
2020 NFL Combine Data…
6’2.4”/241, 9.5” hands, 32 ¾” arms
4.52 40-time (2nd-fastest LB prospect at Combine by .01)
21 bench press, 38” vertical (3rd best LB at Combine), 10’9” broad (best LB at Combine)
The Historical ILB Prospects to Whom Kenneth Murray Most Compares Within Our System:
A much better Roquan Smith. Not as athletic as Ryan Shazier. Not as powerful as Patrick Willis. A little bit of all of them.
|
ILB Score |
Last |
First |
Yr |
College |
H |
H |
W |
|
Tackle, Strngth Metric |
Speed, Agility Metric |
|
9.617 |
Murray |
Kenneth |
2020 |
Oklahoma |
6 |
2.4 |
241 |
|
8.72 |
12.19 |
|
7.560 |
Smith |
Roquan |
2018 |
Georgia |
6 |
0.7 |
236 |
|
8.52 |
9.47 |
|
14.519 |
Willis |
Patrick |
2007 |
Ole Miss |
6 |
1.1 |
242 |
|
12.16 |
11.41 |
|
13.100 |
Shazier |
Ryan |
2014 |
Ohio State |
6 |
1.1 |
237 |
|
11.19 |
13.62 |
|
7.842 |
Young |
Kenny |
2018 |
UCLA |
6 |
1.0 |
236 |
|
9.01 |
7.61 |
*A score of 8.00+ is where we see a stronger correlation of LBs going on to become NFL good/great/elite. A score of 10.00+ is more rarefied air in our system, and indicates a greater probability of becoming an NFL elite LB.
All of the LB ratings are based on a 0–10 scale, but a player can score negative, or above a 10.0 in certain instances.
Tackle-Strength Metrics = A combination of several physical and performance measurements. An attempt to classify the LB prospect's ability to stop the run, as well as to gauge how physical the player is, and the likelihood of higher tackle counts in the NFL. All based on profiles of LBs historically.
Speed-Agility Metrics = A combination of several speed, agility, and size measurements...as well as game performance data to profile a LB for speed/agility based on LBs historically. A unique measuring system to look for LBs that profile for quickness, pass-coverage ability, and general ability to cover more ground.
2020 NFL Draft Outlook:
Murray tends to track as a #16-30 pick in mock drafts, but he’s better than Devin Bush (the Steelers traded into the top 10 for) and Devin White (#5 to TB) from last year’s draft – so, why isn’t he a top 10 prospect? I think he sneaks into the top 10-15. I think Carolina will try and trade back for him, as one potential landing spot.
NFL Outlook:
Murray should be a very good pro player, on the field, for a long time. Possibly ‘great’, possible just ‘very good’. He isn’t going to bust on a team, and he should start Week 1 of 2020 and for many years to come. Plus, he’s going to be a captain and a leader…and there’s a draft value for that skill as well.
3/16/2020
