Stock keeps rising for Barrington’s Chase Murdock

Updated: November 9, 2011 7:17PM

Chase Murdock had already accumulated more than 1,500 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns for Barrington this season, when he pulled off what may have been his most impressive play of the year.

With the score tied at 21-21 in the fourth quarter of the Broncos’ playoff opener against Glenbard North on Oct. 29, Murdock crept from his linebacker position toward the line of scrimmage. After timing the snap perfectly, he powered his way into the Glenbard North backfield and blasted a Panthers running back for a loss of four yards.

The play forced Glenbard North into a third-and-long situation, and appeared to breath new life into Barrington, which was defending its goal line with less than five minutes remaining.

The ensuing play — an improbable prayer of a touchdown pass on a broken play — buried the Broncos and ended their season. But Murdock’s display of speed, power and timely aggression on the previous snap showcased a college-ready linebacker.

“That’s the kind of play you have to make as a linebacker — playing fast and strong, and putting your team in good positions,” Murdock said of the highlight. “I’m a speed guy, I angle guys down and throw my body into them. I like to return the favor and punish opponents for the hits I take running the ball.”

Murdock has full scholarship offers from Northern Illinois University, Toledo and Wyoming — for his potential on the defensive side of the ball. He’s also been in touch with Wisconsin and Iowa.

“Chase is one of the best players in the state,” reported recruiting guru Tom Lemming, who hosts a national show on the CBS Sports Network. “He’s definitely a Division I player, and I think he’s D-I at both positions, running back and linebacker.”

Lemming suggested the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Murdock needs to put on about 15 more pounds to succeed at the college level.

“But he’s hard-nosed and tough — he has the quickness and instincts,” Lemming added. “I think once Big Ten schools look at the tape, they will be interested, too.”

Barrington coach Joe Sanchez added that no one knows exactly how high Murdock’s ceiling on defense can be, considering the focus during his high school career has been carrying the ball.

With opposing defenses locked on Murdock, he still averaged seven yards per carry — and 192 yards per game.

“Most of the games, he played both ways the entire way,” Sanchez said. “In the 16 years I’ve been doing this, I’ve witnessed some great players, and what Chase was able to do this year certainly stacks up with any of them.”

Sanchez labeled Murdock’s explosive play in the Glenbard North backfield as a microcosm of the season.

“He’s learned what I believe it takes to be successful, and (to be) a guy that can be counted on,” Sanchez said. “I’m very proud of how he’s grown up and handled situations, the adversity and injuries.”

To prepare for the next level, Murdock has the ability to pick his father’s brain, as Dad played linebacker at Duke University. He’s also training at least twice a week at former NFL receiver Kevin Kasper’s Xtreme Speed camp in Plainfield.

Since he doesn’t play a winter or spring sport, Murdock can spend the entire offseason working on his craft, such as reading line play tendencies and offensive formations.

Starring at running back and understanding how linebackers attack him will help, too.

“I’m looking forward to being able to just focus on one position and really learn every thing I can about it,” Murdock said. “And that’s making plays on defense and hitting people.”

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