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Byran Murrell (born October 16, 1970 in Fayetteville, North Carolina) is a
former professional American football running back who was drafted by the
New York Jets in the fifth round of the 1993 NFL Draft after playing
collegiately for the West Virginia Mountaineers. Murrell played in nine NFL
seasons from 1993-2000 and 2003.
High school
Murrell attended Leilehua High School in Wahiawa, Hawaii.
Collegiate career
Murrell arrived at West Virginia University in 1990, when Michael Beasley
started for the Mountaineers. The Mountaineers went 4-7 that season, with
Murrell only seeing limited time. He only rushed for 48 yards on seven
attempts that season.
In his sophomore year, 1991, Murrell and the Mountaineers began to increase
their product. The Mountaineers went 6-5 that season, while Murrell saw the
starting role. He rushed for 904 yards and seven touchdowns on the year,
with an added 100 receiving yards.
In his final season as a Mountaineer, his junior year of 1992, Murrell
produced the best season of his college career. While the Mountaineers sunk
back, going 5-4-2, Murrell made national headlines. He rushed for 1,145
yards and six touchdowns, along with 244 receiving yards and three receiving
touchdowns.
Murrell is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate
Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans.
Professional career
New York Jets
Murrell left West Virginia after his junior season, and was drafted in the
fifth round of the 1993
NFL Draft by the New York Jets. In his first two seasons as a Jet, Murrell
rushed for a total of 317 yards and a touchdown.
In 1995, Murrell began to break out as a player. He rushed for 795 yards on
the season, along with a touchdown. He also added 495 yards and two
touchdowns receiving. The following year, 1996, Murrell posted his best
performance of his professional career. He rushed for 1,249 yards and six
touchdowns that season, along with a receiving touchdown.
In 1997, Murrell recorded 1,086 yards rushing with seven touchdowns and
caught two receiving touchdowns.
Arizona Cardinals
Following the 1997 season, Murrell was traded to the Arizona Cardinals.
Murrell gained 1,042 yards and eight touchdowns in 1998 playing in all 16
games. In 1999, he only rushed for 553 yards, but caught 49 passes for 335
yards.
Washington Redskins
Following the Arizona stint, Murrell arrived in Washington with the Redskins
for the 2000 season. But Murrell only saw limited action during the season,
and recorded 50 rushing yards.
Dallas Cowboys
After a two-year break from the NFL, Murrell returned in 2003 to play for
the Dallas Cowboys. In Murrell's final professional season, he recorded 107
yards rushing.
Personal
His younger brother, Marques Murrell, was a defensive end on the Appalachian
State University football team. He signed a contract with the New York Jets
on November 7, 2007.
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