By John Shinn
Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray said Tuesday he hasn't given it a ton of thought, but he's leaning toward returning for his senior season.
"That's just something that my family and I will look into," he said. "But I'm pretty sure I'll be back here next year."
Murray is a redshirt junior and trying to finish a season healthy for the first time in his career. In 2007 a knee injury against Texas Tech cut his season short. He suffered a hamstring injury in last season's Big 12 championship game.
There's no definite answer to where Murray could potentially go in the NFL draft if he came out early. The injuries could be one knock against him. He also missed a game earlier this season due to ankle injury.
On the other hand, he's scored 42 touchdowns over the last three seasons and is one of the best pass-catching running backs in college football.
Murray said he's in no hurry to leave, though.
"I like it here. I don't want to end my career at OU with an 8-4 record or whatever," he said. "So just trying to get better. And I just enjoy being here. I'm part of a great team here; I love the coaching staff, things like that. I love the camaraderie with my teammates. It's just a great atmosphere."
Simmons will play
OU coach Bob Stoops announced Tuesday that senior guard Brian Simmons will play Saturday against Texas Tech. Simmons has missed the last four games due to a knee injury he suffered against Texas.
"He practiced yesterday so he is set to play this week provided everything goes as it should," Stoops said.
Simmons' return should be a boost to the offensive line. It played last Saturday's game against Texas A--M with only seven scholarship offensive linemen.
More wildcat?
Murray took three snaps at quarterback in Wildcat formations against Texas A--M. Neither Stoops, offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson nor Murray were giving any indications Tuesday whether Murray will take more snaps against Texas Tech.
But OU's made no secret about wanting to get the ball to Murray and wide receiver Ryan Broyles.
"It isn't a new revelation, we have always wanted it in their hands. It's just trying to find more ways to do it, even eliminating the quarterback every once in a while and getting it to them immediately and trying to play hide-and-seek with the football and hopefully catching a seam and making a big play," Stoops said. "It's not like we all of a sudden realized they're big playmakers, we're just trying to find easier ways to have their hands on the ball."
Murray's all for using it more.
"I love having the ball and I feel like I can do a lot of things with it, whether it's receiving or rushing," Murray said.
Kicking unsettled
OU finished the Texas A--M game with walk-on Patrick O'Hara doing the placekicking. Both Jimmy Stevens and Tress Way had missed kicks earlier in the game.
Stoops said the competition continues as the Sooners prepare for Texas Tech.
"Patty O'Hara looked pretty good there towards the end and we'll see if he can maintain consistency here through the week," Stoops said. "I've always had him ready for really long ones. He has a really strong leg, he just occasionally loses control over it in practice, but he's been more and more consistent and I liked what he did the other night."
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
