|
||||||||||
|
 |
While Roxbury's Angelo Mangiro made Penn State his college football destination what might stand out the most about the athletically-gifted Gael senior is his uncanny ability to be a major factor in two sports not usually associated with a huge 290-pound lineman! ***For Mike Murray of Westfield, who comes from a terrific baseball family, getting the chance to become part of a Major League baseball organization is an absolute dream come true and the former Wake Forest star is off to a great start in the Rookie Arizona League. See "Feature Articles" ***Daron Hoges has enjoyed watching the continued progress of his East Orange Campus basketball team which went on a veritable tear in the state tournament last March and now continues to thrive in the busy summer circuit led again by the talented Mario Moody. Check out the chatter about Moody and the Jaguars in"The Buzz" |
This fall Westfield's A.J. Murray returns as a top two-way performer for the Blue Devils' football team, but his future in college will center around baseball as the standout catcher has recently committed to play the diamond sport at Georgia Tech. (Photo by Sean Buldiger) |
Westfield’s Ultra-Talented A.J. Murray
A Future Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket
By JR Parachini
For sidelinechatter.com
Right now Andrew John Murray – better known as A.J. – is getting himself in shape so that when he meets an opposing running back he will be able to square up and bring down that runner at the point of attack.
He is also out to create a few new moves once he receives the hand off from quarterback Dan Kerr and begins to follow his blockers.
Murray, who will be a senior at Westfield High School, is doing this with a clear head, having already made his college decision and choosing the sport he wants to continue in.
Before getting ready for what will be his final football season, Murray made one of the most important decisions of his life.
It had everything to do with the sport of baseball, which in the Murray household is religion.
After meeting twice with one particular school, A.J. made up his mind.
Murray, one of the top catchers in the state and sought after by more than 75 Division 1-A schools, will be continuing on the collegiate level at Georgia Tech.
Murray, in person, gave the Georgia Tech coaching staff his official verbal commitment on Sunday, July 11, accepting a Division 1-A baseball scholarship from the Atlantic Coast Conference school located in Atlanta, Ga.
He will sign his letter-of-intent when the first signing period begins in early November.
“I wanted to commit before football season began, so this is a weight off my shoulders,” said Murray, who in August will don shoulder pads once again to get ready a football season that will see him at running back on offense and moved over to middle linebacker on defense this upcoming season for the Blue Devils.
Murray, 17, joined siblings Mike Jr. and Brittany as members of his family to attend ACC schools. Mike Jr. just graduated from Wake Forest in May and is now playing in the San Francisco Giants organization as a member of the Arizona Giants in the Rookie Arizona League. He signed his first professional contract on June 15 and - in addition to the Giants - was also contacted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Brittany, a 2008 Johnson of Clark graduate, is a soon-to-be junior at the University of Maryland, where she plays varsity softball. She is on pace to earn her undergraduate degree there in three years.
copyright 2005 Sideline Chatter - comments - contact the webmaster