NEWPORT BEACH, CA. – Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray has been named the Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week.
The 6-2, 243-pound junior from Missouri City, Texas had a team high 13 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry in the Sooners’ 49-31 win over Houston Sunday night.
Last season, Murray recorded 155 tackles, the most by any Sooner in 11 years. He also had 28 tackles in a win against Army, the highest recorded in the FBS since 2000.
In July of this year, Murray made news off the field. Coming home from church with his girlfriend Val, he spotted two deaf women lying on the side of the road. One was unconscious and bleeding. Murray had Val call 911 while he performed CPR on the injured woman. She eventually began breathing and Murray was credited with saving her life.
Oklahoma will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of his performance.
The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation sponsors the Lott IMPACT Trophy and has donated more than $1.5 million to universities and charities throughout the country.
Other nominees for the Lott IMPACT Trophy in Week One:
Joe Bachie, LB, Michigan State: Had 7 tackles, 1 ½ for losses and a quarterback hurry in win over Tulsa, 28-7.
Myles Bryant, DB, Washington: Recorded team best 8 tackles with one for a loss in win over Eastern Washington, 47-14.
Alohi Giilman, S, Notre Dame: Team high 10 tackles, one for a loss and a fumble recovery in win over Louisville, 35-17.
Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson: Led team with 10 tackles in win over Georgia Tech, 52-14.
Evan Weaver, LB, Cal: Had a team best 11 tackles and a quarterback hurry in win over UC Davis, 27-13.
David Woodward, LB, Utah State: Had 24 tackles, 3.5 tackles for losses, a sack and two forced fumbles kin 38-35 loss to Wake Forest.
Jabari Zuniga, DE, Florida: Recorded 3 tackles for losses, 1 ½ sacks and six total tackles in 24-20 win over Miami.
Previous Winners of the Lott IMPACT Trophy:
2004 – David Pollack, Georgia
2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama
2006 – Dante Hughes, Cal
2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU
2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
2009 – Jerry Hughes, TCU
2010 – J.J. Watt, Wisconsin
2011 – Luke Kuechly, Boston College
2012 – Manti Te’o, Notre Dame
2013 – Anthony Barr, UCLA
2014 – Eric Kendricks, UCLA
2015 – Carl Nassib, Penn State
2016 – Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
2017 – Josey Jewell, Iowa
2018 – Josh Allen, Kentucky