Byron Murphy II, who anchored the Texas defensive line along with teammate T’Vondre Sweat, became the first defensive lineman selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since Malcolm Brown’s selection by the New England Patriots in 2015.
Murphy, the 2023 Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and DeSoto, TX native, amassed 70 total tackles with 15 of them for loss in his 39 games played (16 starts) on the 40 Acres. He also caught and rushed for a touchdown, becoming the only lineman in Texas football history to score two offensive touchdowns.
His first-round selection marks the 46th in Longhorn football history, while he becomes the 25th Texas defensive lineman selected in the NFL Draft since 2000.
Texas head head Steve Sarkisian praised the selection by the Seahawks.
“Murph is a really explosive, powerful guy. He’s a disruptive defensive lineman who can consistently make plays on the opposite side of the line scrimmage. His effort and work ethic are unmatched, and that’s how he plays every single snap. He doesn’t take any plays off and has the ability to get to the quarterback. To think he was the second defensive player, and first defensive tackle, taken in this year’s draft speaks volumes about what the Seahawks and everyone in the NFL sees in him, and they definitely won’t be disappointed. Murph is a great one and I can’t wait to watch him in the NFL.”
Murphy becomes the 6th University of Texas player selected by the Seahawks in the team’s history and the first since punter Michael Dickson was selected in 2018.
