Murray signs with FAMU

Ashley Hunter,
ECB Publishing, Inc.

On Thursday, April 19, Jefferson Somerset saw its third student signing since the charter had taken over the education of Jefferson County's publicly enrolled students.
Ricky Warren Murray, Jr., a running back for the Jefferson Tigers, signed his Letter of Intent in the Somerset gym while
surrounded by teammates, classmates, coaches, teachers, friends and his family.
Murray will attend Florida A&M, and will be swapping his Tiger colors for those of a Rattler.
According to Athletic Director Sgt. Terry Walker, Murray will be a Preferred Walk-On for the Rattlers.
A Preferred walk-on player is one who has been offered a spot on the roster, but has not yet been granted a sport's scholarship. This may always change, as it did for former Jefferson County athlete, Zoron Wade, who also signed ­on with Florida A&M during March 2017 as a preferred walk-on, and is now a full scholarship line backer with the Rattlers.
Preferred walk-ons are usually already eyed and recruited by the coaches, rather than a plain walk-on athlete who has joined the team without the invite or recruitment of the coach.
While a career in collegiate football is ahead of Murray, the student athlete has had an extensive experience in high school athletic programs, as he also played as a Tiger on the basketball court, and track and field team.
“When you say student athlete, he is a prime example of what a student athlete should look like,” said Athletic Director Sgt. Terry Walker, praising Murray's behavior, academic skills, and his interpersonal skills. “He is a well loved young man.”
“I didn't have to worry about Ricky academically, he did all the hard stuff by himself. Thats the accomplishment of his family,” added Head Football Coach Leroy Smith. “All you've got to do is [take care] of your grades and listen to your coaches and your teachers and the people that love you, especially your parents, and God will take care of the rest.”
It was to God that Murray's parents gave the praise to, as well as to the coaches that had surrounded and built up their son.
“[Ricky Murray] has shown himself to be a great young man,” said Ricky Murray, Sr. “I thank God for allowing him to be here today.”
Murray himself spoke briefly and humbly, his speech being full of thanksgiving and praise to his parents for their constant belief in him, to his coaches for building him up to be a leader, to his friends, classmates and teammates for the fond memories and guidance, and to the community for their belief and support.
At Florida A&M, Murray will be majoring in engineering alongside his play on the Florida A&M Rattlers.
“I'm going to be an engineer and play football at the same time,” said Murray. “Just to show other people that it's possible to do it.”
Murray is the son of Kimberly Robinson-Murray and Ricky Murray, Sr. He is the grandson of Rosa Bassa. During the signing ceremony for his Letter of Intent, Murray was accompanied by his family, including his younger brother, Rico Murray.