Though he’s been labeled Georgia’s No. 1 quarterback and not its starting quarterback, Aaron Murray was still the big man on campus Friday.
“It was pretty cool,” Murray said. “A couple of people said, ‘Congratulations on the news.’ It was in the paper, I guess. It’s definitely something I’ve always looked forward to.”
The 6-foot-1, 206-pound redshirt freshman from Tampa was announced as the top quarterback Thursday afternoon, when coach Mark Richt released a post-spring depth chart. Murray had to beat out only junior Logan Gray after fellow redshirt freshman Zach Mettenberger was dismissed from the program last Sunday for actions stemming from a March 7 arrest in Remerton, Ga.
It was a unique conclusion to what had been a three-man race, with Murray and Mettenberger having roomed together after enrolling in January 2009.
“When I got the news, I was definitely upset and hurt for him because I know how hard he’s worked,” Murray said. “He’s really busted his butt this past offseason, making sure he’s improved on his fundamentals and the things Coach (Mike) Bobo wanted him to really work on. I know it’s hard on him, but he has a bright future. He’s a talented kid and has all the intangibles to be a great quarterback.