Only a single junior in Tennessee is an arguably better prospect than Matthew Murrell (Whitehaven). A fine conversation including respectful contradictory opinions exists propping Murrell and Keon Johnson up as the state’s best college prospect.
Cast aside that debate for now and admire Murrell’s college options 18 months before his enrollment.
“We have twelve offers,” shared Murell’s father Carl Murrell.
Jacksonville State
St. Louis
Cincinnati
Iowa State
Arkansas
Memphis
Illinois
Florida
Texas A&M
Tennessee
Ole Miss
North Carolina State
Of course the dozen offers hardly represent the entirety of his options. Imagine another AAU season of showcasing his fantastic skills and size. This will happen.
Reclassing up to 2019 is not in consideration according to Mr. Murrell.
“We were asked to do that,” said Mr. Murrell. “But we are going to stay where we are and let him play through the tournament. I think the extra year is going to benefit him a lot.”
Top juniors are certainly candidates, attractive candidates, even for reclassing up to college recruiters. Just because the option exists reclassing up does not always serve the recruit and his family.
When he does ultimately choose a college many 2020 will exist.
“Oklahoma State just kicked in,” said Mr. Murrell. Tulsa. Tulane. Missouri. Those are the ones that are showing strong interest right now.”
Tulsa has been around for a long, long time as a pursuer.
“Tulsa is not that new,” said Mr. Murrell. “They have been keeping in contact all along, but they feel they are kind of behind the ball.”
Tulsa generally feels the higher major schools will pull away from them in the race.
Under the brand new NCAA rules juniors can take official college visits now. Murrell took one to an SEC school.
“We only took one (official) this past fall and that was to Arkansas simply because all of the other ones were closing in too close to the season starting,” said Mr. Murrell. “It was good. It was real good. That was his first visit. He enjoyed it a lot.”
Don’t expect any more college visits on the horizon.
“We planned on doing some more visits after the season,” said Mr. Murrell. “We will probably do Tennessee and Missouri. Maybe Texas A&M. North Carolina State maybe.”
Every team that spent time watching Murrell expressed interest or offered. No blue bloods in yet. Yet.