Last fall, Byron Murphy II decided to flip his commitment from Baylor to Texas. As a result, the Longhorns will end up getting one of the most unheralded players in the class of 2021. Last season, the four-star defensive tackle wreaked havoc on offensive linemen as part of DeSoto’s defensive front. After the season, Murphy was named as a first team player on the 2020 Texas MaxPreps All-State football team.
Senior Season Statistics
- Defense: 79 total tackles, 14 sacks and 1 forced fumble.
Strengths
What stands out about Murphy is his hustle. Usually, it is rare to see a defensive tackle that is capable of tracking the ball carrier from sideline to sideline. However, Murphy does not give up on plays and is always determined to be a factor on the field.
Also, Murphy’s athleticism was always on display in high school as he was able to succeed against double teams thanks to his combination of strength and speed. Furthermore, Murphy utilizes a good repertoire of pass rush techniques which complements his athleticism.
Needs Improvement
Listed at 6’1″, the knock against Murphy has always been on his size. However, Murphy was able to consistently produce against the state of Texas’s best high school talent in the 6A classification. As a result, Murphy will have to continue to prove that he can line up against the best of the best.
What I See
Frankly, I think that Murphy ultimately has the potential to become a Longhorns fan favorite. Although it might take some time for Byron to adjust to the college game, he has the work ethic to eventually break through. As a result, I think that Murphy has the tools to be developed into a dominant force on Texas’s defensive front before graduating. It is easy to say that new Texas defensive line coach, Bo Davis, will enjoy trying to get the most out of Murphy.
