HOOVER, Ala. -- Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray doesn't shy away from the number one.
The No. 1 quarterback in Georgia history? Murray has that within his grasp. But it's the number one that comes at the end of his height listing -- 6-foot-1 -- that Murray has no choice but to embrace. It's the primary reason why his pinball-like production as Georgia's fourth-year quarterback is not drawing first-round expectations for next year's NFL draft.
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Murray, for one, looks at New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, just 6-0 himself, as an ideal model.
"Obviously, Drew Brees. There are always the comparisons. I've watched film of him," Murray said.
A year ago, Murray broke several single-season school records, including passing yardage (3,893), touchdowns (36) and pass efficiency (174.82). With a year of eligibility left, he's already Georgia's career record holder for TD passes with 95. But he also has had his share of balls batted down at the line of scrimmage, and much like the critics Brees had before he became one of the NFL's elite passers, Murray's height is inevitably mentioned after pass deflections.
"Just find the passing lanes. Rarely are you throwing over people. You're always easier, it seems, to maneuver your way around," Murray said of the issue. "I think the average size for a quarterback is 6-2 or 6-3, and the linemen are like 6-4, 6-5, so every quarterback's a little shorter than their offensive linemen, unless you're Zach (Mettenberger, who is 6-5). Everyone has to find throwing lanes and moving their feet around and find the area to throw the ball."
Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.
