While running back DeMarco Murray was virtually an unknown coming out of Oklahoma, former Sooners and Dallas Cowboys coach Barry Switzer knew he would grow to be a special NFL talent.
According to a feature on SI.com, Switzer was called by Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones during the 2011 NFL Draft to help convince the Dallas draft day war room that Murray was the pick.
"So I'm watching the draft that year, the third round's coming up and my phone rings," Switzer said. "It's Jerry, in the war room. He says, 'Barry, tell these guys what you told me."
Switzer made sure there was no mistake who he was wanting the Cowboys to take with the 71st pick: "You all are the luckiest sons of bitches in the world because this kid is a first-round talent falling into your lap, and if you don't take him, you're as crazy as that time you didn't take Randy Moss."
Luckily for the Cowboys, the team took Murray, with Switzer to thank for helping bring the Cowboys back to prominence in 2014 with a playoff appearance due mostly to his stellar year on the field.
While Murray's future in Dallas isn't clear with looming free agency, the running back certainly can be called the best at his position from the 2011 draft despite being the sixth taken behind Mark Ingram (28th overall), Ryan Williams (38th), Shane Vereen (56th), Mikel Leshoure (57th) and Daniel Thomas (62nd).
Follow Shawn Ramsey on Twitter: @ShawnPRamsey
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