Fantastic Fifteen: Jace Murray brings leadership, physical edge to Trojans

LEESBURG — Jace Murray was 4 years old when he discovered what he loved most about football.

He could hit somebody.

“I realized I could hit the crap out of somebody,” Murray said.

Thirteen years later, the enthusiasm hasn’t disappeared.

“I love to hit people,” Murray said. “And that’s what I’m going to do.”

For four seasons, that mentality has helped make Murray a fixture in the middle of Lee County’s defense. But the senior linebacker has become much more than one of the Trojans’ hardest hitters.

He has become one of their leaders.

Murray enters his senior season as a rare four-year starter for one of Georgia’s most successful high school football programs, and earlier this summer he committed to continue his career at Army.

For those accomplishments, Murray has been selected to the Albany Herald’s Fantastic Fifteen, recognizing 15 of Southwest Georgia’s top high school football players entering the 2026 season.

“Jace is a rare four-year starter for us,” Lee County coach Dean Fabrizio said. “He’s a leader on our team, a great student-athlete and one of the most physical players I’ve ever coached here at Lee County.”

That combination of experience and physicality has made Murray one of the constants on a Lee County defense that has changed around him.

Getting on the field as a freshman was impressive enough. Staying there for four years required Murray to continue getting stronger, smarter and better.

The numbers show just how productive he has become.

Over his first three seasons at linebacker, Murray has recorded 168 tackles. An impressive 44 of those have come behind the line of scrimmage, and he has added 14 sacks.

In other words, Murray doesn’t just find the football. He frequently gets there before the offense wants him to.

That aggressive style goes back to those first days of football when Murray was 4, but his understanding of the game — and his role within a team — has changed considerably since then.

The son of James Murray and Quinteros Lewis, Murray said he has grown to enjoy the responsibility that comes with being a leader. He likes helping guide teammates, something that has become increasingly important as he has gone from the young freshman in Lee County’s lineup to the senior other players now look toward.

It is also part of what Murray envisions for his life long after his playing days are finished.

He intends to study mathematics in college and hopes eventually to become a math teacher and football coach, giving him an opportunity to work with young people and give back to his community.

Before that happens, football will take him to West Point.

Murray committed to Army earlier this summer after building a connection with the Black Knights’ coaching staff and considering what the United States Military Academy could offer beyond Saturdays on a football field.

“It came down to the coaches, the relationships with those coaches and the opportunities they presented to me,” Murray said.

There is plenty awaiting him at Army.

Murray isn’t ready to think too far ahead, however.

He has one season remaining at Lee County, and after three years of starting for the Trojans, he believes his final one could be special.

Really special.

“I know we can win state this year,” Murray said. “We have a lot of talented players and we have really good team chemistry. We work together really well.”

Talent will certainly give the Trojans an opportunity.

Murray believes their ability to play for one another could make the difference.

And as one of the few players who has been in Lee County’s lineup for four seasons, he understands the responsibility he carries in making sure that chemistry survives when games get difficult.

Eventually, Murray will trade Leesburg for West Point. Someday, if everything goes according to his plan, he will trade his football helmet for a classroom and a coach’s whistle.

But there is still one season left.

One more season to lead.

One more season to hit.

And, Murray believes, one more opportunity to help Lee County bring home a state championship.