Oklahoma's DeMarco Murray emerges as candidate for Penn State RB job

Multiple sources tell On3 that Oklahoma assistant DeMarco Murray and Penn State have been in communication about the Nittany Lions’ open running backs job. There is strong mutual interest between Murray and Penn State, sources said. 

In recent days, the former Oklahoma star and Dallas Cowboys running back has had multiple calls with James Franklin and Penn State to discuss the move. Penn State running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider accepted the Notre Dame running backs job over the weekend.

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No contract offer has been made at this time, but Murray would take over one of the top running back rooms in the nation featuring Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. The duo combined for 2,207 rushing yards in 2024 and are both set to return in 2025.

Murray led the Sooners to three Big 12 championships during his playing career, rushing for 3,685 career yards and 65 touchdowns. He’s the program’s all-time leader in kickoff return average with 27.6 yards. The 2014 NFL Offensive Player of the Year joined the coaching ranks after his seven-year NFL career, joining the Arizona staff for the 2019 season.

He headed to Norman to take over as running backs coach at his alma mater in 2020, working with names like Rhamondre Stevenson and Kennedy Brooks. Murray’s running backs averaged 5.7 yards per carry and scored 18 rushing touchdowns in 11 games in 2020 and averaged 5.4 yards per carry and scored 19 rushing touchdowns in 13 games in 2021.

DeMarco Murray has delivered on the recruiting trail for the Sooners, too. Oklahoma signed four-star prospect Taylor Tatum as part of its 2024 recruiting class. The Longview, Texas, native was ranked as the No. 1 overall running back in the cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.