Murray's recruitment picks up

Plant junior quarterback Aaron Murray may have a bye Friday night, but he's been pretty busy on the recruiting scene.

Murray, one of the nation's leading passers (1,302 yards in four games), picked up an offer this week from Wake Forest, to go along with ones from USF, Boston College, Ole Miss and Oregon State.

Murray said he'll attend the sold-out USF-West Virginia game Friday night. He'll join five other Plant teammates -- receiver Derek Winter, running back Lovell Jackson, WR Cornelius Gallon and linemen Rhonne Sanderson and Tyler Evans.

Winter, one of the state's top receivers, and Jackson also have offers from USF. Jackson recently picked one up from Wake Forest as well.

The Bulls are also hosting chunks of players from Middleton, Lakewood and River Ridge.

Murray, when talking about his recruitment, laughed after being asked about Boston College's extra quasi-recruiter -- Plant coach Bob Weiner, who is a BC alumnus.

"When he saw the letter," Murray said. "He just had a huge smile on his face."

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Times photo of Plant quarterback Aaron Murray.

Comments

[Fed Up]

As a Plant parent, even I am tired of hearing about just one player. This is the third year in a row that all focus is on one player. Do you guys know how many juniors in the Tampa Bay area have offers? Some with far more than Murray (but not here because he is all our coach can talk about)! This is just getting ridiculous. Coach we have other players who are contributing to our wins!

[STampa]

"Coach we have other players who are contributing to our wins"
DUHHHHH! Name a player in the last 3 years that Coach Weiner HASN'T taken care of when it comes to recruiting? Name a player who's been a big contributor to this football team that DIDN'T get some type of publicity in the papers. That is a bunch of south Tampa horsehockey coming from some parent with an agenda for their own son--get off your high horse and support the program genuinely! The fact is, Weiner doesn't control nor ask what should and shouldn't be put in the paper. The fact is, Murray has CLEARLY distinguished himself thanks to his teammates (who will get their due just like every last player did last year in the papers) in the STATISTICAL DEPARTMENT (well over 1300 yards in 4 games). The fact is, the more scouts Murray draws in for being the football player he is, the more exposure OTHER players will get. Now drink your latte, sit back, and support the program like a true fan.
And I challenge you to answer back on what I asked of you got plenty of ammo waiting.

[had enough]

I have three words for you: McCarthy, Marve, Murray. Clearly we have a problem with favorites! There are other players on this team too! I just hope that someone notices them. Every time coach talks to the papers it seems every quote is about just one player and this is not the first year its been that way, this is a pattern!

[STampa]

That's hilarious you mention those three: what do they have in common? all three either broke or are on their way to breaking county/state records that no one will touch in quite a while. McCarthy's 20 something sacks may never be broken again. Marve, enough said. Murray, on his way.
What do Wyoming, Miami, Tusculum, Navy, Air Force, Western Kentucky, Furman, Michigan State, LSU, USF, Brown, Florida Intl., Jacksonville, Hawaii, and a slew of 1-AA, and Div II schools have in common?

All have players from Plant that Weiner spearheaded/assisted in getting on those teams. Favorites? Playing favorites or favoring players on kills a program. This program never had a coach or coaching staff like this in place before that has built incredible relationships with the athletes on the team. But in typical fashion, parents and naysayers like you will try and find a way to pick at something about the program that gives you an axe to grind. South Tampa and it's parents are their own worst enemy when it comes to building a program. Come on! See the forest past the trees! If you got an issue with the guy, take it to him instead of airing your differences behind a screen name.

Weiner can't go to college with them - so are these 'favorite' players actually playing at the next level or are they redshirted, or what? At some point, you've got to do it on your own - and staying out of trouble helps!

One Heartbeat - Any parent who can't support that, then take yourself and your kid who you probably infected and just go sit in the stands and watch the "team" play.