2018 Four-Star OL Chris Murray Previews Notre Dame Official Visit
2018 Mater Dei (Calif.) offensive lineman Chris Murray had a big weekend as the Monarchs knocked off rival and national powerhouse St. John Bosco (Calif.) on Friday night.
“It was a big win for us,” the 6-foot-3, 300-pounder told Irish Sports Daily. “The last time we played them, we lost in the championship. I was glad to get some revenge back. The senior class and I never want to lose to these guys again.”
The four-star prospect will head to Notre Dame this weekend for his official visit with two of his teammates, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Solomon Tuliaupupu.
“I’m very excited to see the place and to see them play USC,” stated Murray. “I know it’s going to be a packed stadium and everyone is going to be live. I am going with two of my closest friends, so I am excited about everything coming up this weekend.”
While the three are good friends, Murray downplayed the chance to play with each other at the next level. It’d be great if it happened, but all three players aren’t going to base their decision off their friendship.
“It hasn’t come up,” Murray said of playing with St. Brown and Tuliaupupu. “We all have our different paths. We’d love to play with each other, but we’re doing our own recruiting processes.”
Murray does feel that traveling across the country with his friends will be a good experience and will possibly give more insight into Notre Dame.
“It’s good to go with some friends to a place you’ve never been to before, and you’re not familiar with at all,” explained Murray. “We can talk about things we saw and compare stuff. We can get different opinions from each other. We’re all friends, so we can pick up on different stuff.”
It’s stating the obvious, but this visit is crucial to Murray’s recruiting process. The California native will get to meet offensive line coach Harry Hiestand for the first time and see where he would fit into the Irish offensive line room.
“I haven’t spoken to coach Hiestand yet,” Murray said. “I am going to talk with him closer to the weekend before I leave. When I meet him this weekend, it will be the first time meeting him.”
Recruiting coordinator and area recruiter, Brian Polian, has led Murray’s recruitment and the two have developed a close relationship.
Polian has made sure Murray knows his importance to the Notre Dame class, but also that this weekend could be life-changing for the Mater Dei standout.
“My relationship with coach Polian is good,” stated Murray. “He is recruiting me hard. He said the staff can't wait for me to get to Notre Dame. They want to set the bar for how a college game is supposed to be and this weekend could be very special for me, Amon-Ra and Solomon.”
Notre Dame is well known for its academics and Murray is looking forward to seeing the academic presentation this weekend from the Irish.
“I want to be able to see the educational part in depth,” Murray explained. “I want to see and learn about different majors. I’m hoping to see everything that surrounds the educational opportunities Notre Dame offers.”
The Irish will have the chance to set the bar as Polian hopes, but they will continue to have to duke it out with Stanford and Utah for Murray’s commitment.
Utah hosted Murray at the end of September, and the Irish have a chance to make a big impression.
“Notre Dame will be my second official,” Murray stated. “I’m going to get out to Stanford. I’m considering officials to Arizona, Colorado, Louisville, TCU, and UCLA.”
As Murray gets closer to making his decision, he admitted momentum on the field isn’t going to be a make or break. Wins are good, but Murray is making sure he finds the best fit for him.
“I’m looking deeper than just wins and losses,” said Murray. “Everyone has their bad days, so I can’t base my decision off one game that I see.”