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University of Minnesota Athletics
Murray Named All-Pro By Pro Football Focus
1/17/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Former Minnesota defensive back and Kansas City Chiefs rookie Eric Murray was recently named to the Pro Football Focus All-Pro team (view entire team here). Murray was the lone "Special Teamer" recognized by Pro Football Focus.
Pro Football Focus described Murray's rookie season as, "The term 'special teams ace' gets thrown around a lot, but we're looking to grade more than simply a tally of special teams tackles. Eric Murray was a key part of the Chiefs' kickoff, kick return, punt coverage, and punt return units. He routinely made impressive blocks in the return game, and was often found beating blockers to force returners to change direction."
Murray played in all 16 regular season games for the Chiefs and played against Pittsburgh in the NFL playoffs. He tallied nine tackles on the year, which included a significant tackle on kickoff against Pittsburgh when the Chiefs trailed Pittsburgh 18-16 late in the fourth quarter. Murray also recovered one fumble this season.
Murray, who never missed a practice or game during his four-year career at Minnesota, played in all 52 games and started 39 of them at corner. The lockdown defender, who was seldom tested by opposing quarterbacks, made 192 career tackles, which included 142 solo stops. Murray also registered 7.0 career tackles-for-loss, 24 pass breakups, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two blocks.
The 5-11, 199-pounder from Milwaukee, Wis., made 66 tackles as a senior, which included 47 solo tackles. Murray, who was a captain during his last season, notched one interception and paced the team with seven pass breakups. He also recorded three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Murray was named All-Big Ten Third Team as a senior by both conference coaches and media.
Murray was taken by the Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft with the 106th overall pick. He was the first Gopher to be selected by the Chiefs since linebacker Bruce Holmes was tabbed by the Chiefs in the 12th round (325th pick) of the 1987 draft.
