Aaron Murray
Aaron Murray (born November 10, 1990) is an American former professional football quarterback best known for his record-setting college career at the University of Georgia, where he established Southeastern Conference (SEC) records for career passing yards (13,166) and passing touchdowns (121) that still stand as of 2025.[1][2] Drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round (163rd overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft, Murray appeared in limited action during a brief NFL tenure marred by injuries, later playing in the Alliance of American Football (AAF) and XFL before transitioning to broadcasting as a college football analyst for ESPN.[3][4][5] Born in Tampa, Florida, Murray excelled as a high school quarterback at Plant High School, earning Parade All-America honors and receiving scholarship offers from 53 programs before committing to Georgia in 2009.[6] As a redshirt freshman in 2010, he earned Freshman All-America recognition and served as the Bulldogs' starting quarterback for all 13 games, leading Georgia to a 6-7 record while throwing for 3,049 yards and 24 touchdowns.[4] Over his four-year tenure from 2010 to 2013, Murray compiled a 36-18 record as the starter, guiding the team to three bowl appearances, including a 45-31 victory over Nebraska in the 2013 Capital One Bowl where he was named MVP after passing for 427 yards and five touchdowns.[4] His prolific passing attack made him a two-time All-SEC Second Team selection and the first quarterback in SEC history to achieve three consecutive 3,000-yard seasons (2011–2013).[7] Murray's professional career began promisingly but was hindered by a torn ACL suffered in practice shortly after the 2014 draft, delaying his debut until 2015.[8] He appeared in three games for the Chiefs that year, completing 6 of 13 passes for 44 yards, before being waived and spending time on practice squads with the Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, and Los Angeles Rams through 2017.[9] Seeking more opportunities, Murray signed with the Atlanta Legends of the AAF in 2019, where he started multiple games and threw for 1,048 yards, 3 touchdowns, and seven interceptions before the league folded after eight weeks.[10] He then joined the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL in 2020 as a backup, appearing in one game for 18 yards before the league suspended operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5][11] Since retiring from playing, Murray has built a successful media career, joining ESPN as a college football analyst in 2022, where he provides commentary primarily for SEC Network games alongside Dave Neal and Ashley ShahAhmadi.[4] In 2025, he expanded his role to include analysis of United Football League (UFL) broadcasts.[4] Additionally, he co-hosts the "Mac and Murray CFB" podcast and serves as president of The Players Lounge, a sports networking platform.[12] Murray's insights draw from his experience as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in SEC history, and he remains a prominent voice in college football coverage.[4]Early life and high school
Early life
Aaron Murray was born on November 10, 1990, in Tampa, Florida.[8] He grew up in a close-knit family with his parents, Dennis Murray, a civil engineer, and Lauren Murray, as well as an older brother, Josh, and a younger sister, Stephanie.[13][14] Raised in a household with a Jewish mother and a Catholic father, Murray's upbringing emphasized a blended faith that instilled values of resilience and strong family bonds.[14] His mother has credited this faith foundation for helping him navigate challenges throughout his life.[14] As a child in Tampa, Murray was exposed to football early on through family involvement and local youth leagues, where he developed a passion for the sport despite his mother's initial reservations; his father encouraged his pursuit after witnessing his enthusiasm, and his older brother Josh further influenced his interest by sharing his own experiences from peewee football, including Murray's Super Bowl victory at age 12.[14] During Murray's college years, his family faced significant adversity when his father was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in October 2012 and underwent successful surgery to remove his thyroid.[15] The diagnosis and recovery process strengthened family dynamics, with Murray and his brother traveling home to support their parents, highlighting the enduring emphasis on unity and perseverance in the household.[15]High school career
Aaron Murray attended H.B. Plant High School in Tampa, Florida, from 2005 to 2008, after transferring from Jesuit High School before his sophomore year, graduating early to enroll at the University of Georgia in January 2009.[6][16] As a sophomore in 2006, Murray was part of the Plant Panthers team that captured the Florida Class 4A state championship, the program's first title in over two decades.[17][18] He assumed the role of starting quarterback during his junior year in 2007, guiding the Panthers to the Class 4A state semifinals while earning Mr. Football honors in Florida and first-team all-state recognition.[6][19] In that season, Murray completed 201 of 329 passes for 4,013 yards and 51 touchdowns—a Florida single-season record at the time—while rushing for 932 yards and 12 scores on 93 carries.[6][20] As a senior in 2008, Murray broke his fibula in the season opener but returned after six weeks to lead Plant to a perfect 14-0 record and the Class 4A state championship, the program's second title in three years.[6][17] Despite the injury limiting him to eight games, he threw for 1,927 yards and 33 touchdowns with only four interceptions, adding 257 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.[6] Over his high school career, Murray accumulated 6,331 passing yards and 84 touchdown passes, establishing a Hillsborough County record for career touchdown passes by a quarterback.[6][21] His junior and senior seasons alone produced over 5,900 passing yards and 84 touchdowns, showcasing his accuracy, arm strength, and dual-threat ability under coach Robert Weiner.[6][19] Murray's performances earned him national recognition as a Parade All-American and U.S. Army All-American, along with SuperPrep All-America and All-Dixie honors.[6][22] Regarded as one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2009 class, he was ranked No. 3 nationally at his position by Scout.com and Rivals.com, No. 13 overall by ESPN, and received 53 scholarship offers from elite programs including Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Miami, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.[6] In April 2008, Murray committed to the University of Georgia over his hometown Florida Gators and other suitors, drawn by head coach Mark Richt's offensive system and family connections, including relatives living in Georgia.[23][6]College career
2009 season
Aaron Murray arrived at the University of Georgia in January 2009 as one of the nation's top quarterback recruits, but spent his true freshman season on the redshirt list to preserve a year of eligibility. As the third-string signal-caller behind senior starter Joe Cox and junior Logan Gray, Murray focused on acclimating to the college environment without seeing game action, a decision that allowed him to develop behind an experienced quarterback room.[24][25] Murray's time on the sideline emphasized personal growth, as he learned from the senior leadership on the team and began adapting to the intense physicality and speed of Southeastern Conference (SEC) football. His standout high school performance at Plant High School in Tampa, Florida—where he threw for over 10,000 career yards—helped facilitate a smoother transition to the Bulldogs' system.[6] The Georgia Bulldogs, led by Cox at quarterback, compiled an 8–5 overall record and a 4–4 mark in SEC play during the 2009 campaign. The team experienced setbacks in key rivalry games, falling 23–13 to Florida and 31–30 to Auburn, but closed the year with a 44–20 victory over Texas A&M in the Independence Bowl.[26]2010 season
In 2010, redshirt freshman Aaron Murray emerged as the full-time starting quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs, appearing in all 13 games and marking his debut start against Louisiana-Lafayette on September 4. In that season-opening 55-7 victory, Murray completed 17 of 26 passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown, providing an efficient introduction to college play.[27][28] Murray's statistical growth was evident throughout the season, where he completed 209 of 342 passes for 3,049 yards, achieving a 61.1% completion rate with 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Key highlights included a three-touchdown passing performance against Colorado on October 2, where he threw for 238 yards in a narrow 29-27 road loss, and a career-high 313 yards with three touchdowns against Florida on October 30, though three interceptions contributed to a 34-31 overtime defeat. Another standout effort came in a 31-24 loss to No. 12 Arkansas on September 18, with 253 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and a one-yard rushing score in a competitive matchup.[29][30][31] The Bulldogs finished the year with a 6-7 overall record and 3-5 mark in the SEC, including a dominant 55-7 upset win over No. 19 South Carolina on November 13, where Murray threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns. Notable setbacks featured losses to top-ranked opponents such as No. 1 Auburn (38-31 on November 13) and Florida, alongside a season-ending 42-17 defeat to Georgia Tech and a 10-6 Liberty Bowl loss to UCF.[32][27] Murray faced challenges adapting to offensive coordinator Mike Bobo's pro-style system as a young starter, particularly with turnovers that hampered momentum in several close games, such as the three interceptions against Florida that shifted field position and extended drives for the Gators. Despite these issues, his arm strength and decision-making showed promise, ranking him among the SEC's top freshmen in passing efficiency.[33][34]2011 season
In 2011, Aaron Murray emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the Southeastern Conference during his sophomore season with the Georgia Bulldogs, starting all 14 games and guiding the team to a 10-4 overall record. He completed 238 of 403 passes for 3,149 yards, achieving a 59.1% completion rate while throwing 35 touchdown passes—leading the SEC and setting a school single-season record—and 14 interceptions.[29][35] Murray delivered several standout performances that highlighted his development and contributed to Georgia's turnaround after an 0-2 start. Against No. 24 Auburn, he threw four touchdown passes on 14-of-18 passing for 224 yards in a dominant 45-7 victory, breaking Matthew Stafford's school record with his 27th touchdown pass of the season. In the rivalry game versus Florida, Murray accounted for two touchdown passes on 15-of-34 attempts for 169 yards, securing a narrow 24-20 win that helped spark a 10-game winning streak. He also showed poise in the season opener against No. 5 Boise State, completing 16 of 29 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns despite a 35-21 loss.[36][37][38] Georgia's postseason included a 42-10 loss to LSU in the SEC Championship Game, where Murray went 16-of-40 for 162 yards and one touchdown, and a 33-30 defeat to Michigan State in the Outback Bowl after three overtimes, in which he completed 25 of 39 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns.[39][40] Murray earned second-team All-SEC honors from both the Associated Press and the league's coaches for his breakout campaign, and he was included on the Davey O'Brien Award watch list.[41][42][43]2012 season
In 2012, Aaron Murray served as the starting quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs, leading the team through a successful campaign that showcased his development as a senior leader. He completed 249 of 386 passes for 3,893 yards, achieving a 64.5% completion rate, while throwing 36 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, stats that ranked him among the nation's top passers.[29] Murray's performance helped Georgia to a 12-2 overall record, including an 8-0 mark in Southeastern Conference play before the championship game.[44] Murray's early season form was particularly strong, as he started all 14 games and built momentum with efficient play. In the first seven games, he completed 138 of 200 passes for 1,822 yards, tossing 19 touchdowns against four interceptions, providing a solid foundation for the Bulldogs' high-powered offense.[45] Representative highlights included a 342-yard, two-touchdown effort against Florida Atlantic on September 15, where he also added two rushing scores in a 56-20 rout, and a precise 18-of-24 performance for 250 yards and two touchdowns versus Vanderbilt on September 22, contributing to a 48-3 domination. Another standout came against South Carolina on October 6, when Murray threw for 311 yards and two touchdowns despite two interceptions in a 35-7 loss that snapped Georgia's undefeated start.[45] The Bulldogs rebounded strongly after the South Carolina setback, winning their final six regular-season games to secure the SEC East title. Georgia advanced to the SEC Championship against Alabama on December 1, where Murray passed for 265 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a hard-fought 32-28 defeat that denied them a spot in the BCS National Championship Game.[46] The season concluded with a 45-31 victory over Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl on January 1, 2013, highlighted by Murray's bowl-record five touchdown passes for 427 yards, earning him MVP honors despite two interceptions.[47] Amid the on-field success, Murray faced significant personal challenges when his father, Denny Murray, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer shortly after the South Carolina game, undergoing surgery on October 8. The diagnosis and subsequent treatment added emotional strain during a pivotal stretch, but Murray drew strength from family support and teammates, maintaining focus on the team's goals. He later described the period as one of the toughest in his life, yet it reinforced his resilience, helping him lead Georgia to its first 12-win season since 2007.[48]2013 season
In 2013, Aaron Murray returned as Georgia's starting quarterback for his redshirt senior year.[24] He started all 11 games he appeared in, completing 225 of 347 passes for 3,075 yards, with 26 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, achieving a 64.8% completion rate.[29] Despite these efforts, the Bulldogs' offense was hampered by numerous injuries to key supporting players, including running back Todd Gurley's ankle sprain and later ACL tear, running back Keith Marshall's ACL injury, wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell's knee issues, and wide receiver Justin Scott-Wesley's knee surgery, which forced reliance on a depleted receiving corps and running game.[49][50] Murray's performance included several high-yardage games, such as 415 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 43-38 loss to No. 3 Auburn on November 16, and he threw for 4 touchdowns in a 59-17 win over Kentucky on November 23 before suffering a season-ending ACL tear in his left knee during the second quarter.[51] Earlier in the season, he broke significant Southeastern Conference (SEC) career records: surpassing David Greene's mark for passing yards (12,167) with a 24-yard completion to Chris Conley against Tennessee on October 5, reaching 12,184 yards, and eclipsing Danny Wuerffel's touchdown passes record (114) with a score to Michael Bennett against Appalachian State on November 9, finishing his career with 13,166 yards and 121 touchdowns.[52][53] These milestones cemented his status as Georgia's all-time leading passer, despite the team's 8-5 overall record (5-3 in SEC play), marked by losses to Clemson (35-38), Missouri (26-41), Vanderbilt (27-31), Auburn (38-43), and a 19-24 defeat to Nebraska in the Gator Bowl on January 1, 2014.[54] Murray, who had already earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Georgia in May 2012 with a 3.3 GPA after just 3.5 years, focused on rehabilitation from his second ACL injury while preparing for the 2014 NFL Draft.[55] His leadership helped guide the Bulldogs to bowl eligibility amid adversity, though the injuries contributed to a season that fell short of preseason expectations.[56]Statistics and awards
Murray compiled remarkable statistics during his four-year starting career as the quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs from 2010 to 2013, appearing in 52 games and leading the team to three bowl victories. His passing prowess was evident in his career totals of 921 completions out of 1,478 attempts for 13,166 yards, 121 touchdowns, and 41 interceptions, achieving a 62.3% completion rate. Additionally, Murray contributed on the ground with 286 rushing attempts for 396 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns.[29]| Season | Games | Completions | Attempts | Completion % | Passing Yards | Passing TDs | Interceptions | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 13 | 209 | 342 | 61.1 | 3,049 | 24 | 8 | 167 | 4 |
| 2011 | 14 | 238 | 403 | 59.1 | 3,149 | 35 | 14 | 111 | 2 |
| 2012 | 14 | 249 | 386 | 64.5 | 3,893 | 36 | 10 | -68 | 3 |
| 2013 | 11 | 225 | 347 | 64.8 | 3,075 | 26 | 9 | 186 | 7 |
| Career | 52 | 921 | 1,478 | 62.3 | 13,166 | 121 | 41 | 396 | 16 |