2014 NFL Draft: Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray selected by Kansas City Chiefs in fifth round

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray (11) runs through the Appalachian State Mountaineers defense during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Appalachian State 45-6. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

It took until the third day of the 2014 NFL Draft for a member of the Georgia Bulldogs to be selected (as TE Arthur Lynch went 155th overall), but one of the best quarterbacks in program history, Aaron Murray, landed with Kansas City Chiefs just a few moments later with the 163rd overall pick in the fifth round.

There were wide-ranging opinions on Murray’s draft position coming into this week, and most of them were a result of two things. First, the four-year starter is coming off of a torn ACL sustained late in his senior season, and because of that injury, he was unable to display his full arsenal at the combine and throughout the process. Secondly, Murray is listed at just over 6-feet tall, and despite his high-end abilities, that will always set off question marks for NFL types.

Murray’s college production should indicate that he will be, at a minimum, a long-term backup in the league, and in Kansas City, he lands in a spot where they don’t have a fully entrenched guy at the helm. Alex Smith is the obvious starter for next season, but if Murray displays adequate arm strength and performs well, he could be in line for playing time competition down the road.

Congratulations to one of UGA’s finest!