TUCSON, Ariz — Arizona coach Kevin Sumlin once recruited DeMarco Murray to Oklahoma as a player. This past off-season, he recruited him to Arizona as the running backs coach.
Murray was the NFL offensive player of the year as a Dallas Cowboy in 2014.
"This is an opportunity that I felt would help me individually and collectively as a team," said Murray. "It was something I wanted to do. If anyone else had called me, I may not have taken the job. Knowing Coach Sumlin, and what he was about, that was one of the main reasons."
Also speaking after practice on Thursday was senior quarterback Khalil Tate. Tate was mentioned as a possible Heisman Trophy candidate last year, but battled an ankle injury for much of a season that saw the Wildcats go 5-7.
Tate talked about returning for his senior season after flirting with the idea of turning pro after his junior season.
"I knew I had a lot more to prove," said Tate. "I left a lot on the table. I know what I can do. With the circumstances I was dealt with, I couldn't really show what I could do. Thankfully, I had another year to refine myself in this offense and do better and show that I can be a quarterback at the next level."
Arizona Football's spring game is on April 13th.
