The fate of two-sport prep star Kyler Murray remains a toss-up at this point, and his story makes for an interesting sidelight as the upcoming college draft approaches. Murray, the top quarterback recruit according to ESPN 300, has verbally committed to play college football for Texas A&M, but is also being touted as a potential first-round pick in the 2015 MLB Draft.
Fresh out of high school, Murray is the kind of versatile powerhouse that teams like the Houston Astros or Arizona Diamondbacks (both of whom are distant +15,000 longshots according to today’s 2015 MLB Futures) would covet. Those teams in particular will be prospecting accordingly during the off-season. But it is precisely that athleticism that makes him a prized asset in both sports. Just this year, Murray became the first ever Under Armour two-sport All-American.
Baseball America reported last August that Murray plans on playing both football and baseball if he goes to Texas A&M. But whether or not he actually steps onto the College Station campus will be highly dependent on this upcoming draft. A lofty draft position – and a professional contract possibly worth millions of dollars – would be a big obstacle for his plans to pursue a collegiate career.
Murray has close ties to Texas A&M, where his father, Kevin, was an All-American quarterback in college. The recent developments in the Aggies’ quarterback situation could also strengthen Murray’s chances of coming in and at least compete for the starting job right away.
However, Murray also has a deep connection in the baseball world with his uncle, Calvin Murray, a former big leaguer who works for super-agent Scott Boras and could facilitate his smooth passage to MLB.
Unlike more recent two-sport stars – Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, Brandon Weeden, who were all pitchers – Murray is a position player. Murray hit .432, with eight home runs, 31 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases in the 2014 regular season at second base for Allen (Texas) High, although he also has the speed and athleticism to play shortstop or possibly the outfield.
Murray has utilized his blazing speed both on the gridiron, gaining first downs with his legs, and on the diamond, stealing bases for fun. For the most part, Murray’s attention has been more on football, but the potential of becoming a high draft pick may just sway him toward baseball.
Scouts have compared him to Wilson, both because of their stature (Murray is just a shade under six feet tall) and their athletic ability. For now though, his prospects as a baseball star are a little less concrete. His physical gifts have given him a pretty high ceiling. Whether or not he makes good on that potential in Texas A&M, straight to the pros or not at all still remains to be seen.
