Senior FSU wide out
Senior eager to lead WRs in final season
Nyqwan Murray, recovering from a torn meniscus, expects to play in the season opener against Virginia Tech and is ready to lead the Seminoles’ inexperienced receivers.
BRADENTON – Florida State senior wide receiver Nyqwan Murray never experienced a significant knee injury, so he was naturally concerned.
But when Murray, who initially feared he suffered a torn ACL injury, realized he would be sidelined with a torn meniscus during spring practice earlier this year, he was still disappointed to be away from the action.
Murray relied on his grandmother, FSU fan favorite Annie Collin, and relationships he began to forge with new head coach Willie Taggart and receivers coach David Kelly to cope with the situation.
“I just talked to my grandma
every day,” Murray said before Tuesday’s practice at IMG Academy. “Coach Kelly, just go up there to his office and vent to him a few. And Coach Taggart, he was always by my side during this process.”
With their guidance and a commitment to rehabbing his knee, Murray expects to be play against Virginia Tech in the season opener on Sept. 3.
“I feel great,” said Murray, who led the Seminoles last season with 40 receptions and 604 receiving yards. “I’m on track to play for the first game. That’s right where I wanted to be at.”
Murray, who has 73 career catches for 1,110 yards with nine touchdowns, will be expected to lead his position group, which may be FSU’s most inexperienced this season.
Juniors Keith Gavin and George Campbell have yet to score touchdowns during their Florida State careers. Sophomore D.J. Matthews hopes to capitalize on greater opportunities in the offense under the new coaching staff.
Redshirt freshmen Tamorrion Terry and Deonte Sheffield are expected to be major contributors in their first seasons. And the Seminoles recruited six freshmen, highlighted by top recruit Tre’Shaun Harrison from Seattle, expected to see the field and bolster depth.
Murray takes his leadership role to heart, even more so, because of his new relationships with Taggart and Kelly.
“I love those dudes and I just met them,” Murray said of Taggart and Kelly. “They really understand who I am and where I come from, so I can relate to those guys more.”
Kelly, a former UCF assistant, says Murray’s experience and athleticism influence his group of receivers. Kelly also praised Murray for his evolving maturity during the injury rehabilitation and FSU’s coaching change.
“[Murray] sees that this is not just a group of people who are giving us a system to help win football games, but then these people sincerely care about me and what goals and aspirations are,” Kelly said. “And that’s not to say that anybody in the past didn’t so I don’t want that statement to be misinterpreted.
“But because of his feelings and because of his buyin, I think he is appreciating it now after being out in the spring. He’s not taking these opportunities for granted.”
During his rehabilitation process, Murray said he worked on his knee about three to four times a day, doing exercises to increase the strength in his quadriceps, calves and knees.
Murray is not yet a full participant in Florida State’s preseason practices. While wearing a heavy knee brace, Murray works in one-on-on drills and seven-on-seven sets. He has donned a blue, non-contact jersey at times, but is not yet cleared for full contact in 11-on-11s.
“He’s a very high-energy guy, so having him back out there is bringing a lot of energy that we were missing,” said quarterback Deondre Francois, Murray’s close friend.
Murray is relishing his return. As a leader, it’s hard for him to engage his teammates from the sidelines. He is more comfortable in the action, so he can show his fellow receivers how to run routes and read coverage.
More important Murray wants to end his Florida State career on a high note.
“This is my last round,” Murray said. “I have to come out to practice every day with a different mindset. I got younger guys under me so I have to show them the ropes so when I leave, they can keep this legacy going.”