Bronco Football Recruit Takes College Coaching Change in Stride

Normally when a college football head coach leaves a program some of the incoming recruits are quick to decommit from that university, so when Barrington’s senior Chase Murdock heard that his future head coach at the University of Toledo, Tim Beckman, was leaving to accept the same position at the University of Illinois, Murdock knew what to do.

“I just got off the phone with the interim head coach (Matt Campbell) and am still very excited about Toledo,” Murdock said.

Murdock isn’t attending the Mid-American Conference university solely for the head coaching skills of Beckman, but rather for what he sees as the big picture at Toledo.

“I really liked all the staff and the players,” the 6’1, 285 pound running back/linebacker said of his future Rocket teammates.  “When I got to be around everyone I just fell in love with the school.”

Next year Murdock will be donning the midnight blue and gold jerseys of the Rockets, but it won’t be on an offense that averaged 42.3 points per game this year, despite being a running back that amassed more than 3500 yards rushing (nearly 4000 yards from scrimmage) as a three-year varsity starter for the Broncos.

“Playing linebacker was something I kind of wanted to play at the college level,” said Murdock who played the position this year. 

“Maybe I will be red shirted, but there is talk of me getting in there and getting some playing time,” he said.  “I’m going to come in ready to play.”

Murdock’s field presence combined with his football abilities and speed to hit gaps will hopefully help a Rockets defense (30.9 points per game allowed) ranked near the bottom in division one. 

Toledo wasn’t the only college that had the multifaceted Murdock in their sights; other MAC schools-Northern Illinois University and Bowling Green-also had some interest and so did the Big Ten’s Iowa.  But after numerous official and unofficial visits to the other college campuses the decision to attend the University of Toledo boiled down to one thing.

“Everyone is just family out there,” said Murdock.  “While out there, I had a chance to meet all the coaches and their families, even was introduced to a nine- month-old baby.”

“I just felt real comfortable out at (the University of Toledo),” he said.