Up to the challenge
Plant junior Aaron Murray ready to play.
By JOE SMITH
Published August 29, 2007
TAMPA - Plant junior Aaron Murray was a tackler - even as a toddler. As soon as Murray could walk, he would wrap up relatives in the house, trying to pull them to the floor.
The toughest takedown? His father, Dennis, who played professional baseball in the Blue Jays organization.
"Aaron was an animal," joked brother Josh, 23, a shortstop with the Charlotte County Red Fish independent league. "He's always been competitive - nothing has ever got in his way."
Murray never felt he had to live up to his father or brother, a former second-round pick in the Major League Baseball draft.
Instead, Murray forged his own way, whether that was leaving Josh's legacy at Jesuit and focusing on football or embracing his admittedly "goofy" personality; the Harry Potter fan is, as coach Bob Weiner says, "one happy guy."
So it comes as no surprise that the Panthers' much-hyped, first-year starting quarterback isn't worried about becoming the next Robert Marve, Florida's Mr. Football who led Plant to the 2006 state championship.
After all, as legendary Chamberlain coach Billy Turner said, "There may never be another Robert Marve."
Murray doesn't care about legacies; he cares about wins. And he shows no fear about his first meaningful snap coming Friday night in arguably the biggest game of the year against nationally ranked Armwood.
"I can't wait," Murray said, with, no surprise, a wide-eyed grin. "It's the kind of game you dream about playing in. You want to play the best, no matter when it is."
Murray picked less-than-perfect conditions for his preseason debut.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound junior slushed through Wharton's spongy turf, soaked from Friday's rainstorm.
Many in attendance wondered if Murray were the real deal. He may have starred at summer seven-on-sevens and elite quarterback camps. But could Murray, who received scholarship offers from USF and Oregon State before even taking a significant snap, take a hit?
Turns out, it was Murray - a quarterback with a linebacker's mentality - handing out hits, leaving Wharton defenders in his wake.
Murray's seven-touchdown performance (five passing, two rushing), had Wildcats assistants tossing down their headsets and exclaiming, "Oh, my God!"
Not bad for a quarterback 10 months removed from surgery on his throwing shoulder.
Murray "is more of a runner than Marve," Wharton linebacker Joshua Powell said. "He's got great vision, arm strength. He'll make you miss, keep the play alive and make something happen."
Murray may need Marve-like improvisational ability Friday against the Hawks' highly touted defensive line. With Wharton's young defensive front putting pressure on the quarterback, Armwood ends Sergio Joyner and Ryne Giddins are likely licking their chops.
As unfair as Marve comparisons may be, Derek Winter is as good a judge as any. The Plant star senior receiver said Murray and Marve may have personalities as different as night and day, but they have similar arm strength and speed.
Weiner added one more: work ethic. When Murray transferred from Jesuit after his sophomore year, he would get up at 5 a.m. each morning and drive from his Lutz home to the Plant fieldhouse.
Some days he didn't return until 9 or 10 at night. Marve said Murray was so dedicated, "Coaches had to kick out of the locker room."
"He's definitely not a type of guy who cares about the spotlight," Marve said. "He cares about the team. He's a heck of a leader and I expect great things from him."
Before a recent practice, Murray stepped into Weiner's cramped office, adorned with photos of Marve & Co. from last year's state title run.
Murray scanned the room. He smiled.
"Hopefully," he said. "I'll put up some pictures of my own."
Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com or at (813) 226-3353.