Steubenville grad Najee Murray wraps up career at Kent State with an All-Mid-American Conference first team honor
KENT — Even though the Kent State football team didn’t place first in the Mid-American Conference standings, Najee Murray made his mark at the top of the league as he wrapped up his senior season.
Earlier this week, Murray was selected to the 2016 All-MAC first team, along with teammate Terence Waugh.
“I was shocked,” said Murray, a 2012 Steubenville High School graduate. “It was such an honor. I was surprised, but I knew that my hard work would pay off. I don’t need an award or anything like to prove what I already know about myself.”
Murray, a defensive back, ranked seventh in the nation in passes defended. He had a hand in five turnovers with two interceptions, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown. Murray’s pass coverage helped the Golden Flashes rank No. 1 in the MAC in pass efficiency defense. He also totaled 47 tackles and 4.0 tackles for loss.
“I’d like to really thank the coaches for the effort because they didn’t just prepare myself for games, they had to get the whole team motivated to go out and battle with each other,” Murray said. “It was an honor to go out the way I did. I had so many different experiences in my college career.”
After helping Big Red win 29 games when he was on the high school team, Murray was named the Division III Eastern District Defensive Player of the Year and was a Division III All-Ohio Defensive Co-Player of the Year. He earned a scholarship to continue his academic and athletic careers at Ohio State.
He transferred to Kent State in 2013 and cracked the starting lineup for the past three years.
The Golden Flashes went 3-9 this past season with wins over Monmouth, Buffalo and Central Michigan.
“Our record didn’t show it,” Murray said. “There were four games that we only lost by four games or less (against North Carolina A&T, Akron, Miami and Ohio). This team worked really well together. We never gave up or quit. That had a great deal to do with my success because everybody came prepared as if we were better than a 3-9 team. So, if the next person out there on the field is doing their job, they expect the guy next to them to be doing his job, too. That’s all I could do.”
Murray’s accomplishment’s this season even go beyond the MAC. He garnered national attention for his lockdown defense.
When lined up in the slot, Murray allowed a 29.2 passer rating into his coverage. That was the best mark in all of college football.
“Coming into my role, I was just trying to do what was best for the team,” Murray said. “I saw that stat and it was shocking, too. My job, at the end of the day, is to do whatever the team needs from me. If that is shutting down a receiver or even trying to get the team excited to play, I’m there to do whatever is needed.”
He took his leadership role seriously as a senior. Although he felt he was a leader since he set foot on the field at Dix Stadium. While at Kent State, Murray was inspirational and motivational.
“You start to see the young guys following your lead more and more as the season goes on,” Murray said. “You’re a prime example of what you want the team to stand for. It was more just trying to rally guys and keep them going. No matter who you are, on whatever team, you’re going to face adversity. It’s all about how you bounce back.”
Two games this season stood out most for Murray. His five pass breakups against Buffalo keyed a 44-20 victory. Then, he recovered a fumble for a 47-yard touchdown against nationally ranked Western Michigan. The Golden Flashes had an early lead on the now-MAC champion Broncos as Murray’s scoop-and-score came on the first play of the game. Western Michigan’s Jarvion Franklin took a pitch from the quarterback and turned up for a five-yard gain when he was upended by Kent State’s Juantez McRae.
Franklin coughed up the ball, right in front of Murray.
“Words couldn’t even explain that,” Murray said. “It was my first collegiate touchdown ever. It happened on the first play and it got us excited. My teammate who knocked it out did a great job getting to the spot and making the play. He did the hard part. I just had to pick up the football and make sure nobody caught me.”
The Broncos would eventually catch the Golden Flashes, though Kent gave the undefeated squad all it could handle in a 37-21 defeat.
“Western Michigan definitely has our true respect,” Murray said. “They came out and capitalized on all of our weaknesses, and that’s what they did to every team they played each week. It’s a hard task going up against them. We tried to give them our all. We definitely knew that we were going to their all.
“Overall, they are a solid team from top to bottom and they should be able to make some noise on a bigger level. I wish them the very best in their bowl game.”
Kent State won’t be playing football anymore this year. Murray, however, hopes he will be able to suit up professionally in the near future.
“I’m still looking to play football,” he said. “Whatever God has in store for me, I’m good with. I’m going to continue to chase my dreams as much as I can. I want to accomplish a lot of things in my career and in my life.”
On Dec. 17, he will walk across the stage at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center to receive his Bachelor’s degree in public health. Murray also studied a minor in business.
“That’s what it comes down to,” Murray said. “You go to college to get a degree. If you can play football professionally, that’s a bonus.
“By getting all the way through, you set yourself up for a better future. You learn and try to take advantage of all the opportunities that college has to offer.
“You have to balance all kinds of different things and you have to stay focused. School is always going to be a priority. If you treat school like you’re on the football field, everything could be easier for you because you’re creating a positive mentality for yourself. Football is a grind and school is a grind.”
No matter where Murray goes, he’ll never forget where he came from.
He closely followed the current Big Red football team on its run to the state championship game.
He was pulling for his alma mater all season, and will do so for the rest of his life.
“I’ve always loved Big Red,” Murray said. “There’s just something about it that stays with you forever. The tradition has always been great and I’m blessed to have been a small part of it.
“The Steubenville foundation made me who I am. I’ve reached out to some of the coaches and I always talk to them before games. I talk to a few of the players, but a lot of them are younger. They grew up when I was away at school. I’m proud of them.”
The Steubenville community should be proud of Murray, too.
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