With his senior season becoming a possible non-starter, or significantly shortened at best, St. Mary’s-Stockton senior cornerback Nick Murray made the most of the showcase events he attended since last season in hopes of landing a college scholarship.
All in all, Murray attended six showcases but it wasn’t until his sixth and final performance that he finally won an individual honor after being named the Defensive Backs MVP at the National Preps Collegiate Showcase in late November at Vacaville Christian High.
“I don’t know if it surprises me since I was honorable mention at the other showcases. That showed me I was close to winning the award but I wasn’t quite there yet,” Murray said. “So after those showcases I got back in the lab and really honed my skills.”
“The Vacaville camp was a chance to show my offseason progression,” continued Murray. “To win the award just showed me where I was at with my peers and was a crowning moment for me.”
One of the coaches that was impressed with Murray, and who got to see him at multiple National Preps events is Trent Herzog, the National Preps College Football Scout for Northern California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, and the head coach at St. Vincent de Paul.
“Murray has great technique and fundamentals, and is a fierce competitor with a huge heart that plays every play like it’s his last,” Herzog said. “He’s a leader and very respected by his coaches and teammates.”
The National Preps Showcase may have been a crowning moment for Murray, but an even bigger moment came a little more than three weeks after the camp when he inked his name on Signing Day to a letter of intent to the University of San Diego. Murray had six other offers, but he decided San Diego was the best fit.
“The relationship with the coaches made San Diego feel real special,” Murray said. “I was also able to see the school during the summer and it just felt right when I stepped on the campus. It felt like home. I’m looking forward to getting to San Diego and being able to compete for playing time from when I first get on campus.”
Despite being 5-11 and a half and weighing 170 pounds, and playing cornerback, Murray was second on the Rams in tackles last season with 88, plus he had an interception and blocked two field goals. On offense, Murray only had nine pass receptions but took three of them for touchdowns.
Murray is obviously a top-notch defender, but he likes being well-rounded and hopes to show that aspect of his game if we have a season.
“I love playing receiver at St. Mary’s,” Murray remarked. “To be able to help my team on both sides of the ball including special teams made me feel like a big part of the team. So yes, I do plan on starting both ways if the season happens.”
Before he goes off to San Diego the St. Mary’s faithful are hoping to see Murray and his teammates get in some games this season.
“My teammates and I have been working endlessly multiple days a week and on our own time with our fingers crossed for a season,” Murray said. “Our chemistry improved tremendously and our hard work and dedication shows we can do some damage this year.”
“My goal as well as my team’s goals is to have a winning season and win the section championship,” continued Murray.
We first encountered Murray at the St. Mary’s girls basketball games when his older sister, Naje’ Murray, who is currently at Texas Tech, was a big star for the Rams.
My how things have changed in the four years since Naje’ graduated. Nick has matured into a thoughtful, well-spoken young man with ambitions and goals that go beyond football.
“I plan on majoring in business with a minor in real estate,” Murray said. “The business department is second to none at San Diego and I believe I can do a lot with those two degrees.”
Murray has already lost almost half of his senior year of high school in the physical classroom with his friends and classmates, and the possibility of no season is very real, yet Nick remains positive.
“The trials and tribulations I’ve gone through this year just made me a stronger person, and I am blessed to be in the position I’m in. I can't wait to get started at the University of San Diego. Go Toreros.”
