Completed Event: Football versus Illinois State on August 30, 2025 , Win , 35, to, 3
Final
Football
35
vs Illinois State
3
University of Oklahoma Athletics
10 Questions with Kenneth Murray
October 19, 2017 | Football
NORMAN — Six games into his freshman season, linebacker Kenneth Murray has emerged as a key starter on the Sooners defense. The Missouri City, Texas, product became the first true freshman to start a season opener at inside linebacker for OU since 1975 when he started at middle linebacker against UTEP. He ranks second on the team with 37 tackles and has also recorded a fumble recovery and a tackle for loss.
The 6-2, 242-pounder, who enrolled at OU in January, took a moment this week to talk about his first year on campus and how he sees the rest of the season shaping up.
Six games now into your collegiate career, is going to school and playing football what you expected they would be?
"Yeah, I've been putting in the work. I just try to focus on the work and I've worked hard. I'm happy where I am, but I still have a long way to go to get where I want to be. Playing the position that I play definitely requires a lot of studying and film study, so trying to balance that with school and homework is sometimes hard. It's about time management. If you want to be the best you have to find a way to get it all done, so I do."
What have been some of your favorite moments on the field this season?
"Oh man, all of them. I appreciate every opportunity to be out there and play. I think that opportunity is a blessing because there are so many people around the world who don't get that opportunity. I try not to take any of them for granted, so that's why I'll say every one of them is my favorite moment."
What would you say is the biggest adjustment you've had to make?
"It's definitely being a better manager of the game. That first game, I didn't feel like I managed it well. Playing "Mike," I have to know everybody's position and make the calls. Just being a better student of the game. I feel like I am a good student of the game, but it's about using that and learning formations and learning offenses and types of stuff, so that way when I get on the field I can call it out and put other guys in position to make plays."
Having experienced the Red River Showdown on Saturday, was it everything you thought it would be with the atmosphere and everything else?
"Absolutely, that was a great environment. Everybody told me that it was going to be just like that. They said it would be a crazy environment and that the real dogs would show up. I'm glad that the rest of my guys and I came out there and played pretty well. We got the win and everyone is ready to go on to the next one."
What is your mentality now during K-State week and how do you keep that momentum going?
"It's the same as last week. We have to treat every game like Texas or like Ohio State. We have to treat every one as a big game. You have to go in there and be ready to ball, so this week during practice is the same mentality. Just go in there and dominate."
Last year, linebacker Jordan Evans paced the team with 98 tackles and four interceptions. With Jordan now in the NFL, what is your assessment of the linebacking unit in terms of both talent and leadership?
"I think right now we are doing well. We have a really athletic group. I think leadership-wise we are in a good spot. We are communicating well and we need to continue that. Personally, I think I am growing each and every week as a leader. I feel myself growing into a leadership role and trying to get my guys to follow me and become a better leader, which is what you have to do at the "Mike" position. I feel like every week we are getting better and better."
Having guys like Emmanuel Beal and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo in the same room, how have they helped you develop and prepare for college football?
"Ogbo definitely helped me a lot in the offseason. He took me under his wing and said, 'Hey, this is what we are going to work on. This is how we are going to do this.' With Emmanuel, having him playing next to me is such a great help because we talk out each play. If we expect the power to come here or we expect the counter to go there, we talk before every play based on the formation that we see. Having an older guy like that to communicate with is a big help."
Did you play any other positions in high school?
"Yeah, I played pretty much all 11 on defense in high school. I thought I was going to be an outside linebacker, but when they moved me inside I fell in love with it. So I love the "Mike" position and being the smartest person on the field and trying to go out there and put my guys in position to be a dominant defense."
Do you have any pre-game ritual or anything specific you do to get prepared for a game?
"Going back to being a student of the game, I go through all the calls and formations. I want to make sure I know all the formations and what to expect out of them. It's just kind of that final game prep and giving myself my own test."
Who have been the most influential people for you in your transition to college?
"I would say it's three guys – Caleb Kelly, Ogbo and Emmanuel Beal. All three of those guys took me under their wing and mentored me. I can't thank them enough for it."
Players Mentioned
LB
/ FootballLB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ FootballLB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DE/LB
/ FootballDE/LB
/ FootballBrent Venables Media Availability - 9/16/25
Tuesday, September 16
Ben Arbuckle Media Availability - 9/16/25
Tuesday, September 16
Sooner Football With Brent Venables - 9/14/25
Sunday, September 14
FB Highlights: OU 42, Temple 3
Saturday, September 13
