PSO Scouting Report: LB Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma)

PSO’s original Scouting Reports strive to be uniquely valuable in evaluating a player’s future outlook by focusing on the four main subjects that summarize a player’s likelihood of succeeding at the next level including: natural Physical Tools, College Game Film, proven Production, and overall Risk that each individual player presents to a team drafting him. For a full breakdown of our Scouting Reports, click here.

Bio

Pos: LB

Hometown: Missouri City, TX

School: Oklahoma

Class: Junior

Age: 21

Height: 6’2″ | Weight: 241 lbs.

Hands: 9.5” | Arms: 32.75”

Bench: 21 reps | 40 Time: 4.52s

Facts to Know

2nd-Team All-American, 1st-Team All-Big 12 (2019)
Starter since 2017, never missed a single game (40 consecutive GP)
4.52s 40 yard dash time places him in the 96th percentile among LBs
22 coverage stops, tied for 1st in the nation

Physical Tools

Kenneth Murray still needs to improve his play recognition and playing routes behind him in zone coverage, but his range and explosiveness will be coveted by teams that regularly ask their linebackers to fire forward off the ball and rush the passer.pic.twitter.com/83sbQjdTNL
— Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) March 25, 2020

Pros

Unique speed for the position — capable of running with WRs
Explosive & powerful going downhill
Great closing speed & lateral agility
Prototypical size & athletic ability
Impressive upper body power
Great length for the position — nearly 33″ arms

Cons

Pulled hamstring running 40, did not get to finish workout

Grade: A

Game Film

Pros

Easily flows sideline-to-sideline
Playmaking force near the line of scrimmage
Often involved in the pass rush on 3rd downs
Fantastic flat, screen defender
Processing clearly clicked down the stretch in 2019

Cons

Gets caught with poor angles at times & occasional tunnel vision
Less comfortable/reactive in coverage, would much rather go forward than backward

Grade: B+

Production

Pros

3-year starter (42 starts in 42 games)
2nd-Team All-American, 1st-Team All-Big 12 (2019)
22 coverage stops (T-1st)
80.6 coverage grade
Bonafide playmaker around the LOS — 39.5 TFL, 8.5 sacks last 2 seasons

Cons

More missed tackles than desirable (11.4%)
Just a 68.6 PFF tackling grade in 2019
Not much ball production — only 6 PBUs, 0 INTs over 3 seasons

Grade: B+

Risk

Pros

Enjoys the mental challenge of playing MIKE linebacker
Ideal frame & athleticism to deliver punishment over the middle
Evident growth down the stretch in 2019
Full-time starter since his freshman season (2017)
No injury history — never missed a game in collegiate career (started all)

Cons

Inconsistent film — can look like a different player in different games
Not the most natural coverage LB but graded well
Transition from Big 12 to an NFL defense will be a challenge
Pulled hamstring running the 40 yard dash causes hesitation

Grade: B

Overall

An impressive athlete built like a prototypical LB, Kenneth Murray produced at an extremely high level manning the middle of Oklahoma’s defense for 3 years, but his immediate fit at the next level will likely be as a strong side LB rather than a true MLB.

While he’s not a liability in coverage, he’s at his best barreling downhill, blowing up blockers, and utilizing his unique combination of size, length, and speed to make plays on the boundary. As of now however, he simply is not comfortable enough dropping back into coverage to deploy at MLB in year 1. However, his presence will be felt in the run game and when rushing the passer.

Pro Comp: LB Rashaan Evans (Tennessee Titans)

Projected Round: Mid-late 1st round

Prime Destinations: NO, BAL, PHI

OVERALL Grade: B+