Scout Report – Kenneth Murray

• Position: Inside Linebacker – Hybrid (Mike, Off-ball, Adjuster)
• College: Oklahoma Sooners
• Gridiron Guy Position Rank: 4 of N/A (8 currently)

Age: 21 | Height: 6’2 | Weight: 243 lbs
NFL Size Comparison: Nigel Bradham

LB at a Glance: Hybrid LB with solid tackling mechanics and good intuition to be a run stopper, but is lacking as a pass rusher and limited in zone responsibilities.

RESUME:

• 100+ tackle season for the 2nd consecutive year
• 5th most total tackles in the Big XII (102)
• 2nd most solo tackles in the Big XII (69)
• 4th most Tackles for loss in the Big XII (17)
• Best Game: v. Houston (W 49-31)
  • 13 tackles (7 solo, 6 assists) | 0.5 sack | 1 pass def
• Worst Game: v. South Dakota (W 70-14)
  • 4 tackles (1 solo, 3 assists)
• First team All-Big 12 (2019)
• Second-team All-Big 12 (2018)
• Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year (2017)

Strengths:

• Sharp Awareness of the field and players on the field make finding the potential threat easier
• Quick, sharp jab steps keep him moving him toward the play without giving up balance or placement
• Intuitive ability to read QB’s eyes to flow to where the intended receiver may be
• Strong grip when tackling, unlikely to slide off once hands are around you
• Excellent use of angles to catch up or cut off ball carriers to the outside
• Excellent lateral movement from set position to play to flow
• Positions himself with the flow of depth to routes on coverage, giving himself advantageous positioning to play underneath on zone schemes
• Athletic enough to be a danger as a spy
  Within NFL size average for ILB at 6’2 243lbs 
• Quick to diagnose plays and attack
• Disciplined eyes keeps track of the backfield and can read through fakes pretty quickly
• Effective man coverage for RBs and most TEs
• Ideal experience as a 3-year starter
• Matured sense of patience to not over play his position until he knows for sure where to attack
• Instinctive feel for where to position himself to cut off runners or compromise the intended hole
• Solid angle tackler can be reliable when on in a face-up position
• Does not show a dip in productivity as drives drag on
• Aggressive playstyle that does not shy away from impact
• Solid tackling fundamentals with a strong jabstep, firm wrap up, and a clean shoulder pop with the drive
• Intelligent play to diagnose before committing, also shows to have solid preparation for offensive tendencies before the game
• Ability to break on the ball once it is in the air makes him a threat on inside zone
• Average tackling rate at 74% makes him a fairly reliable threat to bring ball carrier down
• Can make tackles with extension to increase his effective range as a defender
• Strong initial burst to close the gap between him and a runner in front of him
• High usage rate and production as a central figure in Oklahoma’s defense
• No durability issues to speak of

Weaknesses:

• Lacks the agility to change direction quickly, especially problematic when runners cut to the sideline
• Lacks the moves to shed blockers when targeted
• Extremely poor pass rusher, lacks the speed to out position from the edge and the power to push through from the interior
• Does not use hands when shedding block, face up block almost completely take him out of play
• Instinctively reactive player
• Lacks balance on longer movements, running with shoulders instead of hips make for an easy juke victim
• Lackluster initial burst off the snap, especially if blitzing
• Shows little pop when meeting blockers head on
• Not an ideal defender on the outside edge, as he has on multiple occasions given up contain
• Poor timing to properly jump the snap, has on occasion telegraphed assignment to QB on cadence
• Poor zone awareness on the exterior of the box, does not keep track of receivers
• Has little mobility when in congestion, can be outmaneuvered by shifty RBs
• Keeps a solid base when tackling, feet are spread enough to maintain mobility to shake off any would-be jukes or cuts
• Does not possess impressive play speed, very quick RBs can leave him behind when the hit the next level
• Underwhelming Pursuit speed, if the ball carrier gets behind him, he probably will not make a play
• Lackluster ability to track the runner when asked to contain the edge
• Over extends on containment assignments more often than you would like
• Lackluster hit power on tackling makes tackles less dominant than they can be
• Allows himself to be out positioned on the block
• Disappointing top speed for a hybrid LB

Bold Predictions:

• Draft Placement: 1st – 2nd Round
• Ceiling: NFL Starter
• Floor: Sub package