Eric Murray continues City Conference run of NFL success

Cornerback Eric Murray, the reticent man from Minnesota, could be the latest in a surprisingly long list of solid players in the National Football League hailing from the Milwaukee City Conference.

Murray, a three-year starter for the Gophers, was rated anywhere from a third- to fifth-round draft choice by three executives in personnel for NFL teams.

Two other NFL starters, linebacker DeAndre Levy of the Lions and tight end Lance Kendricks of the Rams, are City Conference grads that played at Wisconsin.

Some of those that did have substantial pro careers were kicker-fullback Hank Gillo (South) and running back John “Bull” Dohring (West) in the 1920s, tackle Milt Trost (Washington) in the 1930s, running backs Pat Harder (Washington) and John Strzykalski (South) in the 1940s, quarterback-tight end Pat Curran (Juneau) in the 1960s and running back Michael Bennett (Tech) in the 2000s.

“I think he can get a 4.4, easily, because he’s a long strider,” said linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, a teammate of Murray’s for three seasons at Minnesota and a fellow combine invitee.

“He’s a very modest guy,” Briean Boddy-Calhoun, the cornerback opposite Murray for most of the past three seasons, said at the combine.

Murray played 13 games on special teams as a true freshman in 2012 and then started the next 39 games.

The Badgers had called Wagner regarding Murray just a few hours after he committed to Minnesota shortly before his senior season.

Boddy-Calhoun, from Wilmington, Del., roomed with Murray the night before games last season but has never been to Milwaukee to visit him.

To Campbell’s recollection, Murray never even missed a practice in their three years playing together.