Latavius Murray is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. A product of UCF, Murray is a former Pro Bowl running back in 2015. After starting his NFL career with the Oakland Raiders in 2013, Murray has also played for the Minnesota Vikings before landing in New Orleans in 2019. Murray has predominantly been a backup throughout most of his career. However, in his one season as a consistent starter in 2015, Murray eclipsed the 1000-yard mark. Capable of being an effective receiver out of the backfield as well, Murray is considered one of the top backup running backs in the National Football League.
Latavius Murray played high school football at Onondaga Central High School in Onondaga, New York, located just outside of Syracuse. Aside from football, Murray was an excellent basketball and track athlete as well. Murray gained first-team All-State honors in his junior season, rushing for 2,030 yards and 30 touchdowns. In his senior season, Murray was named the Gatorade Football Player of the Year in the state of New York, rushing for 2,194 yards and 28 touchdowns. Murray, who also played defense, added 78 tackles, three forced fumbles and two interceptions to his stat line.
Considered a three-star recruit, Murray was the 5th ranked prospect in the state of New York according to Rivals.com. Murray elected to attend the University of Central Florida. Murray saw limited action his freshman season, rushing just 46 times for only 132 yards, but did score three touchdowns. In the offseason after his freshman year, Murray tore his ACL, resulting in him redshirting in 2009.
In his redshirt sophomore season, Murray totaled 637 rushing yards on just 111 attempts (5.7 YPC) and scored 12 total touchdowns. He was named the Conference USA Championship MVP and AutoZone Liberty Bowl MVP as well. In his junior season, Murray rushed just 98 times but did manage to total 549 rushing yards and nine total touchdowns.
In his senior season, Murray began the year on the Doak Walker Award Watch List. He rushed for 1,106 yards in his final season at UCF and added 15 touchdowns as well. Murray finished his career with 2,424 rushing yards, 5.4 yards per carry, and 43 total touchdowns.
Murray was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the 6th Round with the 181st pick of the 2013 NFL Draft. After signing with the Raiders, Murray was placed on injured reserve and as a result missed his entire rookie season.
In 2014, Murray was the Raiders’ third running back behind Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew. After a rough season by both backs, Murray got his opportunity late in the season. Eventually, Murray went on to become the Raiders’ starting running back for the final three games of the season.
In 2015, Murray was named the Raiders starting running back. He went on to total his only 1,000-yard season when he finished with 1,066 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Murray would go on to play one more season in Oakland before signing a three-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings prior to the start of the 2017 NFL season.
Murray began his Vikings tenure as the backup to rookie Dalvin Cook. However, a season-ending injury to Cook led the path for Murray to become the Vikings starting running back for 11 games in 2017. In 2018, he reverted back to his backup role, rushing for 578 yards on 140 carries.
On March 13, 2019, Murray signed a four-year deal with the New Orleans Saints. In two seasons in New Orleans, Murray continued his role as a backup running back, this time backing up Alvin Kamara. In seven NFL seasons, Murray has rushed for a total of 4,991 yards, averaging 4.2 yards per carry.
Latavius Murray signed a four-year deal with the New Orleans Saints in 2019 worth $14.4 million. Throughout his career, Murray has earned over $22 million while playing in the NFL. He has an estimated net worth of $5 million.
Whole Latavius Murray grew up in the Syracuse, New York area, he was born in Titusville, Florida. Murray has one sister named Eliana. Murray has one son named Marley with his fiance Shauntay Skanes.
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