Interview: 2018 Cisco JUCO LB Sidney Murray Finally Settling in at a Natural Position

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Any sport asks a lot of the athletes from within especially from coaches trying to fill a winning roster. In an ideal world, most players on the gridiron would not be forced to play ironman football or lineup as an undersized anything just to help fill a roster spot. One player that has taken the high road with a team-first attitude, perhaps at his own expense, but is finally getting a chance to shine at a position he loves is Sidney Murray III.

Murray cut his teeth on the field in Richmond with Foster High School. The Falcons went 9-2 during Murray’s junior season and 10-3 in 2015. Playing against some of the top talent in the Lone Star State, Murray got down and dirty in the trenches lining up as a defensive tackle. The move by all accounts was successful, in addition to the Falcons being a playoff team, Murray was also a Blue/Grey All-American at the conclusion of his senior year. The now 6-2.5, 250 pound, defender also received scholarship offers as an undersized tackle signing with Alcorn State.

Deep in his heart, Murray wanted to try to get to the collegiate level as a linebacker. Before graduating from high school, Murray opted to go the junior college route heading to Cisco. As a true freshman, Murray made the move from tackle to end/outside linebacker coming up with 31 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, and 3.5 sacks in stats posted for eight games. Entering his sophomore season, Murray will finally get the opportunity to move back to inside linebacker, a position he has not played since his early days at the varsity level in high school but one college coaches have been waiting to see him play.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Murray going over his collegiate freshman season while receiving an update on his quickly expanding recruiting process.

Interview

Sidney, if you will, give me an overview of your high school career.

“My senior year was actually pretty good. I played well. I was undersized playing defensive tackle but I did that to help my team out. I was playing linebacker before the move. Schools were not feeling me playing tackle, recruiting fell off. I signed with Alcorn State my senior year but I had bigger dreams. I started looking for JUCOs and that is how I came to Cisco.”

How did everything end up with Alcorn State?

“I did not go there at all. Right before graduation I spoke with my head coach at Foster. I told Alcorn State that I would double-time, I could go there at the end of the semester, but I’m not going there.”

Have you talked to Alcorn State about that already?

“Yes, they know.”

How did your freshman season at Cisco go?

“Besides the losing part, I loved it. I love the coaches here. It was a good experience playing against D-I talent. There is great talent and good exposure here. This conference is where all the talent is at. If you can go against the guys in this conference and hold your own, you can play big time D-I ball. I loved it.”

What was the biggest difference for you from the high school level to the junior college level?

“Most definitely the size of the offensive linemen here. Every team we faced had big lineman. In high school I was stronger than most. I was beating guys with speed not strength this year. Playing defensive tackle I learned a lot of different schemes. Discipline and size of the players has made a huge difference from high school to junior college.”

Where all did you line up for Cisco this season?

“I played outside linebacker, defensive end, and defensive tackle.”

Of the three, which is your best position?

“I’d would say outside linebacker. I can stand up and see everything that is going on. I can use my speed to stop the run and covering guys. I’d say linebacker is my best.”

What areas of your game got better this season?

“Most definitely my speed and my mindset. I learned that you have to be disciplined. You have to take care of your keys to make a play. My hands improved a lot. I worked with Coach Hines a lot. He helped me get better with my hands. That was something I was not using yet. Leverage, every day we are on a shoot. We do shuffle drills to stay low.”

What will you work on over the off-season?

“Speed. I’m going back to middle linebacker next year. Footwork and speed.”

Do you remember your weight room max totals from the pre-season?

“Yes, sir. My bench was 375, squat 445, and power clean was 245.”

Which schools are showing interest in you but have not offered you yet?

“Bowling Green, Tulane, Louisville, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, and Houston Baptist.”

Which schools have offered you?

“I hold four offers from Coastal Carolina, Lamar, Alabama A&M, and Purdue.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“I only took one this season, that was to Prairie View for the Alcorn State game.”

Just to make sure, are you a qualifier?

“Yes, sir.”

How is everything going in the classroom this semester?

“I have an A and three B’s.”

Sidney, thanks for your time today and congrats on a successful freshman season of college football.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Cisco Buccaneers; No. 45 Sidney Murray III in action.