By debuting as a junior, Byron Murphy, the defensive tackle for the Texas Longhorns, caught the attention of the nation and NFL scouts with an impressive performance, positioning himself as a potential first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Hailing from DeSoto, Murphy had an outstanding high school journey, earning varsity letters for four years before opting for Texas. His senior year stats include 79 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, 14 pressures, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble.
Texas commit Byron Murphy (@ByronMurphyII) with the sack. @MikeRoach247 pic.twitter.com/VCAcOkKAxG
— Andrew Hattersley (@AndrewHatts) December 4, 2020
Despite Byron Murphy’s outstanding performance in Texas high school football, where he amassed impressive stats including 98 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, eight sacks, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries as a junior, he was initially underrated nationally, barely making it into the top 400 players and ranked as the No. 49 defensive lineman by the 247Sports Composite rankings. Texas held off on offering him a spot until November 2020, after seeing his senior film, at which point Murphy was already committed to Baylor. This delayed offer was the chance Murphy had been waiting for, prompting him to swiftly switch his commitment to the Longhorns.
During his first two years at Texas, Murphy appeared in 25 games but only started in two. Nonetheless, he displayed glimpses of his potential, culminating in him being named Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year in his junior season. For instance, as a freshman facing Iowa State, Murphy made three tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and secured a sack.
This level of performance became more consistent during his final season with the Longhorns. Throughout the season, he recorded a total of 29 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, and seven quarterback hurries. One of his standout performances was against Baylor, where he dominated the backfield with four solo tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks.
Byron Murphy with another sack, this dude is a grave digger. pic.twitter.com/h9dG7ciiOt
— Nash (@NashTalksTexas) November 19, 2023
As an interior defensive lineman, Byron Murphy faced the challenge of translating his impact into tangible statistics, but he excelled in this aspect. His ability to disrupt opposing offenses and create chaos was evident not only on the stat sheet but also to anyone observing the game. He consistently disrupted run plays by clogging the middle and put pressure on quarterbacks during drop-backs.
Murphy’s disruptive presence earned him recognition from multiple sources. He was honored as a second-team All-American, named Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, selected for the first-team All-Big 12, and included in the All-Texas First Team by Dave Campbell’s.
In addition to his defensive prowess, Byron Murphy made notable contributions on the offensive end, scoring two touchdowns. This achievement marked him as the first Texas lineman to score multiple touchdowns and the first since Sam Cosmi in 2019 to score at all.
Murphy’s rapid ascent to stardom was both sudden and well-deserved. His consistent ability to outmaneuver guards, regardless of the play type, was instrumental to the success of the Texas defense. As an NFL prospect, Murphy’s athleticism stands out as a key asset, attributed to his background as a running back before transitioning to a defensive tackle. He possesses a rare combination of quickness, agility, and strength that should enable him to continue wreaking havoc in the NFL. While concerns about his height or experience may arise, these doubts are easily dispelled by observing his performance on tape.
According to CBS Sports, Murphy is projected to be drafted as the No. 18 pick by the Cincinnati Bengals. Regardless of when his name is called, any franchise that selects him will gain an immediate impact player on the defensive line.
