Inside the CFL: Undersized DB Najee Murray plays big in Alouettes’ secondary


“I don’t think he understands his full potential, that’s the scary part,” defensive co-ordinator Barron Miles said. “He’s finding his niche.”

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The city of Steubenville, Ohio, was hit hard in the 1980s, the economy turning sluggish after the steel industry began to wane, some plants forced to close.

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But growing up there, nestled along the Ohio River about 55 kilometres from Pittsburgh, helped mould the person — and football player — Najee Murray would become. The town, with a population of 18,161 according to the 2020 census, has a rich football tradition. Most stores close early on Friday so everyone can attend high school games.

“That’s all we’ve got to look forward to,” the Alouettes defensive back, a former standout at Steubenville High, told the Montreal Gazette this week. “When it comes to football, that’s all we know. There’s a deep tradition. That’s why I love the game and am so passionate about it. You’ve just got football to look forward to.”

Now in his fourth season with the Als, the 5-foot-8, 194-pounder is beginning to blossom playing on the strong side. Fast, athletic and versatile, Murray is coming off one of his most impressive performances, last week against Saskatchewan. Despite frequently covering Duke Williams — seven inches taller and 31 pounds heavier — Murray had five tackles, knocked down two passes and should have intercepted an early pass. At one juncture, he made three consecutive tackles and was always around the ball.

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Murray, 28, is so instrumental in the Als’ defensive scheme, that he was activated early from the six-game injured list — dressing at Toronto on June 16 before making his first start against the Roughriders.

“I don’t think he understands his full potential, that’s the scary part,” defensive co-ordinator Barron Miles said. “He’s coming around and finding his niche. He’s played multiple positions throughout his career, but I told him last year I thought the strong DB position might be his go-to position. That’s a hard spot, a hard position, but he’s playing it well.”

Despite playing only 22 career games for the Als, Murray already has five interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. He started at strong-side linebacker last season for the injured Patrick Levels, before being shifted to cornerback. And now, he’s quickly becoming a lockdown player in the secondary, overcoming his lack of size.

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“Football makes you crazy,” Murray said, laughing. “I don’t think those guys are that much bigger than me. I don’t look at Williams as being a big guy. I’ve been playing so long, I feel like I’m the same size as them. You’ve just got to have heart and be relentless and resilient.

“Somebody’s going to have something negative to say about your size … you’re not able to play, you’re too small. Never let size matter. Show you can play with a 6-foot-4 dude as much as you play with a 5-foot-8 guy.”

As dominant a CFL player as Murray is quickly becoming, it’s hard not to imagine what might have been had life worked out differently.

Murray was part of Urban Meyer’s first recruiting class at prestigious Ohio State. A four-star recruit, he was rated by Scout.com as the nation’s 20th best cornerback among the 2012 high school graduating class. Murray played six games as a freshman, mostly on special teams, until a torn knee ligament ended his season.

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But as a sophomore, he was suspended indefinitely before being kicked off the team for a violation of team rules following a training camp incident. Even a decade later, Murray won’t divulge what transpired, suffice to say he was young and made a mistake.

“You go to college, you’re away from home and only 18,” he said. “Don’t try to fit in with the crowd.”

Murray transferred to Kent State and proved to be an integral part of a non-competitive team that went 3-9 his senior year. But he was named to the all-MAC first team and completed his 27-game career having made 100 tackles, knocking down 21 passes, recovering four fumbles and intercepting two passes. He scored his first career touchdown on a 47-yard fumble return against Western Michigan.

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Murray signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2017, only to be released from the practice roster that September. He was on British Columbia’s negotiation list, but had his rights traded to Montreal.

“Things happen for a reason and I’m here now,” he said. “Montreal gave me a beautiful opportunity in 2018 and I can’t thank them enough. There’s always a bunch of what ifs in life … if you were there or this happened. You never know because it never happened. God brought me here for a reason.”

And it’s probably fortuitous that Miles is his position coach. Despite only being 5-foot-9 and 182 pounds, Miles was a six-time CFL all-star over his 12 seasons with the Als and Lions. No one better than Miles understands the role, and potential value, of a small defensive back.

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“It’s about having an attitude for the ball,” he explained. “We don’t have to beat the receiver, we just have to beat the ball. That’s the common denominator.

“When you’re small, everybody’s going to take you for granted. That’s OK. They’re going to think less of you. That’s OK. They’re not gunning for you or up for you. They’re not at the top of their game. That’s their fault — and you make them pay for it.”

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