Is DeMarco Murray Better Than Adrian Peterson?

Take a moment and let that question sink in. Can one even entertain the thought that running back DeMarco Murray could be better than Adrian Peterson? 

We are talking about THE Adrian Peterson here. The man they called “All Day”. Adrian Peterson, the man who not only set the NCAA freshman rushing record of 1,925 yards as a true freshman (not a redshirt), but after his three year college career left with a total of 4,045 yards.  That’s only 74 yards short of Oklahoma’s leading rusher, Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims.

Can we really compare anyone to this man? Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops says yes.  When interviewed by Barry Tramel of The Oklahoman, Bob Stoops said, “It's hard to say who's more talented.” 

Murray, whose next start will be his second all-time, is easily in a class not only with Adrian Peterson, but with Oklahoma great Marcus Dupree. While running backs coach Cale Gundy states that Murray may never be a “30-carries-a-game” player, they are still going to get the ball in his hands as much as possible. 

"Using him in different ways gives him a chance to make big plays,” Gundy said.

Stoops says, "He's such a good athlete. It's fun to watch him. He's got great hands. He's a guy who could be an all-American at corner, receiver, or running back. “

In his freshman year, DeMarco Murray wowed fans, analysts and opposing defenses alike. In his debut again North Texas, he ran for 201 yards and five touchdowns. Against Texas he carried the ball 17 times for 128 yards and one touchdown. 

According to Gundy, he’s going to be everywhere: running back, tailback, flanker, flanker in motion. They’re going to make him look like he’s bilocating and give him every opportunity to flash down the field. Given that Stoops believes he can catch and run routes better than Adrian Peterson could, we could also see him as a wide receiver.

If DeMacro Murray can stay healthy this season (he suffered a dislocated knee cap again Texas Tech last season), he could become one of the most powerful weapons of the Bob Stoops era.