Murney to play for McMaster Marauders
Peterborough’s connection to the McMaster Marauders football program just got a little stronger.
Marauders head coach and Peterborough native Greg Knox signed his fourth Peterborough Wolverines player in four years on Sunday. Linebacker Connor Murney signed his letter of intent to attend McMaster starting in the fall during a signing ceremony at the Wolverines Clubhouse.
The six-foot-two, 220-pound Murney, who played for the Crestwood Mustangs this year after graduating from St. Peter Secondary School last year, joins Wolverines alumni Joe Bencze, Dylan Astrom and Spencer Johnson at Mac.
“Connor is a good prospect,” Knox said. “He moves well for his size and plays with grit. Those are good ingredients. He’s a good kid and it looks like there is an excellent fit for him academically and from a football perspective at McMaster.”
Murney, who will study environmental sciences, also talked to Queen’s and Laurier before settling on McMaster.
“Mac had all the aspects I was looking for,” said Murney, the son of Howie and Angela Murney. “It’s a prestigious school and football program and Greg Knox is from Peterborough. I think it’s the best option for me to fit in and build relationships.”
Murney was impressed by the training facilities and a visit to McMaster solidified his decision.
“They’ve got all the bells and whistles,” he said.
Wolverines coach John Parkes is doing a college internship with the McMaster football program and assisted in the recruiting process.
“Connor really pushed himself this past year both in the weight room and on the field to get himself in a great position to be heavily recruited,” Parkes said. “He was looked at by several OUA schools which is quite exciting from a Wolverines’ point of view.”
Parkes believes Murney’s strengths are transferrable to the OUA.
“Connor is extremely strong within the tackles but he also has the ability to play in coverage. He’s very aware which is nice coming from the middle-linebacker position. What made Connor so intriguing to a lot of schools is he pushed himself to play both fullback as well as guard and he’s also a long-snapper. He’s one of those versatile players they’ll be able to use on special teams right out of the gate.”
Knox has seen Murney play numerous times but his connections to Peterborough football are so strong he said, with a laugh, he doesn’t need to see Peterborough players in person.
“There is a network of great coaches whose opinions I value so it’s easy enough for me to make a couple of calls to my friends and colleagues and they’ll give me the goods,” Knox said.
Bencze earned a starting role on McMaster’s defensive line this season in his second year of eligibility.
“He did a good job for us,” Knox said. “He’s likely going to get invited to the East-West Bowl which is our CFL prospects combine where they select next year’s prospective draft class. He’s on a positive trajectory as a big part of our team.”
Astrom saw action as the Marauders second-string quarterback in 2017 but Knox says he’s transitioning this off-season to receiver heading into his fourth season.
“He’s an athletic kid and moving to receiver is kind of a logical progression,” Knox said.
Johnson has been on Mac’s practice roster for two years.
It was important for Murney to do his signing at the Wolverines Clubhouse.
“I wanted to do it to promote the Wolverines for younger athletes to show it is probably the best step for them if they want to play university football,” he said.
“I love the organization. The coaches are great and there is a lot of team bonding. They’re all great guys. I want to thank all my coaches and my family and friends who supported me.”