ATHENS — Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray said Wednesday that he will huddle with his parents after the Capital One Bowl game on Jan. 1 to talk about the pros and cons of entering the NFL draft.
The redshirt junior is rated as a top-75 overall prospect by some draft analysts. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. views Murray as a “potential second-, third-round” pick.
Underclassmen have until Jan. 15 to declare for the NFL draft.
Murray said he didn’t know if Georgia losing in the Southeastern Conference title game to Alabama would make it more likely he will return.
“I don’t want to make any stupid decisions based on emotion,” he said. “It’s a tough decision. I need my parents. I need to write everything down. That’s the type of person I am.”
Murray is rated as the No. 74 overall prospect and No. 5 quarterback by former NFL scout Russ Lande of the National Football Post. He puts Murray behind only N.C. State’s Mike Glennon, Southern California’s Matt Barkley, Arkansas’ Tyler Wilson and West Virginia’s Geno Smith. NFLDraftScout.com lists Murray as the No. 55 overall prospect.
Kiper said he thinks Murray should return since he’s not a projected first-round pick.
“It’s a tough call,” he said. “It really boils down to where is he? He’s played a lot of football at Georgia, it seems like he’s been there forever. He’s an accurate passer. He’s won a lot of games. He didn’t win the big one. ... He’s thrown a lot of touchdown passes, made a lot of plays.”
Said tight end Arthur Lynch, Murray’s roommate: “If I were to guess, I could see him leaning towards staying. If we won and were in the national championship, maybe it would be a little different. He’s such a competitor I could see him wanting to come back and do more, but we honestly haven’t talked about it much because we have one more game to play.”
Kiper said Murray’s big-game “struggles” are the biggest thing working against him.
“Obviously against Alabama he didn’t get the win, but he was right there with them the whole way,” Kiper said. “And of course you think about the height, what’s he gonna measure out at: Is he gonna be 6 feet, a little over it, what’s his exact height going to be? He’s not going to be 6-2, 6-3.”
Murray had an answer.
“I am 6-1,” said the 210-pound Murray.
Ogletree, Jones to NFL?
Freshman outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins was talking about the “young defense” that Georgia will have next year, already counting on junior linebackers Alec Ogletree and Jarvis Jones to be gone.
Both are widely projected to be first-round NFL draft picks — ESPN’s Todd McShay has Jones going at No. 13 and Ogletree going at No. 17 in a mock draft — but haven’t announced they are leaving.
“If I was them, I’d be gone,” Jenkins said. “All that money, I’d be gone. I don’t know what they’re doing, but I think everybody knows. Everybody in their mind already knows that they don’t think they’re going to stay another year.”
Two Georgia juniors are planning on returning for their senior seasons.
Defensive end Garrison Smith said he “most definitely” will return for his senior season.
“I feel like I’ve got a lot more to give to the program and the university,” Smith said. “Getting my degree would be one of my big accomplishments in my life.”
Lynch submitted paperwork to get a grade from the NFL draft advisory committee but said he doesn’t want to leave Athens yet.
“Quite frankly, I don’t think I’m ready anyway,” Lynch said. “I think I need another year.”
All-star Bulldogs
The number of Georgia senior football players invited to take part in all-star games next month is in the double-digits.
Nose guard John Jenkins, safeties Bacarri Rambo and Shawn Williams and receiver Tavarres King were selected to play in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 26 in Mobile, Ala., on the NFL Network. The game is considered the most prestigious for NFL draft prospects.
“It is a big deal,” King said. “I’m blessed to have the opportunity to play in that game and showcase my talents and get my name out there.”
Cornerbacks Sanders Commings and Branden Smith were tabbed for the East-West Shrine Game to be played Jan. 19 in St. Petersburg, Fla., also on the NFL Network.
Outside linebacker Cornelius Washington and defensive end Abry Jones were invited to the Casino Del Sol College All-Star game Jan. 11 in Tucson, Ariz.
Linebacker Mike Gilliard and running back Richard Samuel were picked for the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Jan. 19 in Carson, Calif.
Linebacker Christian Robinson said he will play in the Raycom Bowl on Jan. 19 in Montgomery, Ala.
“I’m going to enjoy it and have fun one last time,” Robinson said.
Coaching interest tepid?
The coaching carousel continues to spin, but Georgia coach Mark Richt said he hasn’t been contacted by other coaches about his assistants.
“Not one bit,” Richt said. “Can you believe that? I think our coaches are worthy of that, and I think our coaches have been obviously courted, but no one has called me.”
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo was one of five finalists for the Broyles Award for nation’s top assistant. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has aspirations of becoming a head coach one day.
This and that
Defensive end Abry Jones, who missed the last six games of the regular season after undergoing ankle surgery, still could play in the Capital One Bowl. “I know his intention has been to rehab and get ready to play,” Richt said. “We’ve not counted him out by any means for this bowl.” Jones’ left foot was in a walking boot at the team banquet last Saturday. ... Nose guard John Jenkins was listed out of practice with a concussion. Jenkins took part in interviews in the early afternoon. ... Richt is among the coaches scheduled to speak at the American Football Coaches Association convention Jan. 6-9 in Nashville, Tenn.