TAKE FIVE: DeMarco Murray

Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2005 | 9:23 a.m.

By Brian Hilderbrand

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Name: DeMarco Murray

Position: Running back/defensive back, Bishop Gorman High School

Size: 6 feet, 185 pounds

Hometown: Las Vegas

Resume: One of the leading rushers in the state with more than 1,800 yards and currently one of the most highly recruited football players in the country. Also plays guard on Bishop Gorman's basketball team, which won the state championship last season.

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1. Bowl bound

Murray was one of 78 high school seniors to be named a 2006 U.S. Army All-American and will play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 7 in the Alamodome in San Antonio.

"It's pretty exciting to play in the game and be around a lot of the other (top) players from around the country," Murray said. "I just want to go out there and have fun, that's the main thing."

2. 'Great' season

Murray capped his high school football career at Gorman by leading the Gaels in rushing yards, receiving yards, rushing touchdowns and receiving touchdowns as well as being a standout on defense.

"Looking back on it, I think it was the best season I ever had on varsity," Murray said. "I led my team in a lot of categories ... but obviously, it didn't turn out like I wanted it to as far as the team."

Gorman fell short of its goal of winning the state championship when it lost to Palo Verde in the Sunset Regional semifinals.

3. Top recruit

Several scouting services list Murray as the top running back recruit in the country and virtually every top university in the country has courted him.

Murray said he has narrowed his choices to USC, Oklahoma and Florida.

"There isn't a favorite now ... it's just going to come down to where I feel the most comfortable with the players and the coaching staff," Murray said. "I have grown close to all the coaches that are recruiting me, but where I feel most comfortable is where I'll go."

4. Decision day

Murray said he would make an announcement about his college choice at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January.

"It's really pretty nerve-wracking," he said of the recruiting process, "but it's exciting at the same time."

5. Busy man

At least one of the schools recruiting Murray would like to use him on defense as well as at running back.

"USC talked to me about playing DB and I like the idea of playing both ways," Murray said. "If they want me to play on both sides of the ball, I don't have a problem with that.

"I love playing DB; I only played running back for four years but I've played defense my whole life."