DeMarco Murray Drafted by Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys selected Murray in the third round with the No. 71 overall pick.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:22 pm

By: News On 6

DeMarco Murray Drafted by Dallas Cowboys

Originally Published: Apr 29, 2011 8:17 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

NEW YORK CITY – Former Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the No. 71 overall pick in the NFL Draft Friday.

Murray played for the Sooners for all four years of his college eligibility and now holds three significant school records – points scored (390), all-purpose yards (6,718) and touchdowns (65). He experienced injury issues at OU, but still managed to rush for more than 1,000 yards in two different seasons.

Murray joins a backfield in Dallas that already was cluttered with Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. It was considered one of the deepest backfields in the league coming into last season, but Barber showed signs of fading and Jones has had injury concerns.

If those other three running backs remain with the Cowboys, Murray likely will be used extensively in the passing game. He caught 157 passes for 1,571 yards in his college career and scored 11 touchdowns through the air.

He may even be flanked in a slot wide receiver position, something he occasionally did last season with the Sooners. The Cowboys also need special teams help, so Murray could be used as a kick or punt returner.

Murray was the sixth running back off the board at the NFL Draft, but the first of the third round. He was preceded by Mark Ingram in the first round and Ryan Williams, Shane Vereen, Mikel Leshoure and Daniel Thomas in the second round.