Stormin in Norman
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Kenneth Murray and two other Sooners will participate in NFL Draft virtually

By Chip Rouse

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 23: Linebacker Kenneth Murray #9 of the Oklahoma Sooners stops running back Darius Anderson #6 of the TCU Horned Frogs for a one-yard loss in the fourth quarter on November 23, 2019 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. OU held on to win 28-24. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 23: Linebacker Kenneth Murray #9 of the Oklahoma Sooners stops running back Darius Anderson #6 of the TCU Horned Frogs for a one-yard loss in the fourth quarter on November 23, 2019 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. OU held on to win 28-24. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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Kenneth Murray has been dreaming for a number of years about what is about to happen in his life, probably on Thursday night.

If the cards fall right — and there are a number of folks purported to be in the know who say they will — the Oklahoma linebacker will realize the first step in his dream of an NFL career.

Murray, along with wide-receiver and teammate  CeeDee Lamb, is expected to be selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, which is set to begin Thursday night and will run for three consecutive days. This year’s draft will be unique, however, with the entire draft to be conducted virtually for the first time in the annual event’s 85-year history because of all the stay-in-place restrictions being imposed because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

According to a report by Abby Bitterman, who covers OU for The Oklahoma City Oklahoman, Murray and Lamb are two of 58 NFL Draft prospects who have been selected to participate live in the draft process from their homes. Quarterback Jalen Hurts and defensive back Neville Gallimore are two other Sooners also selected to take part virtually.

"“Obviously, you grow up and play your whole life and you dream of getting the opportunity to walk across the stage, and that was definitely an opportunity that I was going to take advantage of this year,” Murray said in an interview with The Oklahoman.“Obviously, with the situation going on in the world, it’s definitely a blessing that we are able to be safe and have it at home.”"

Murray is foregoing his senior season to declare for the NFL Draft. He earned All-Big 12 First-Team honors this past season and was credited with over 100 tackles in each of the last two seasons.

Listed at 6-foot, 2-inches, 240 pounds, Murray may be an ideal size at his position, and he had a very strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, posting some of the best numbers in his position group. Team officials were also impressed with his football IQ and interview poise.

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper projects Murray’s number will be called somewhere between the 18th and 24th picks in the opening round Thursday night. Barring trades, the NFL teams that pick in that range include the Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints.

One thing seems pretty certain, the OU defensive captain the past two seasons should know where his dream will take him next by the end of the night on Thursday.

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