Byron Murphy II is one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft class and could be a difference-making addition for a team in the early rounds.
How has Murphy reached this point in his standout football career?
Where Did Byron Murphy II’s Football Career Start?
Murphy got his football career off the ground at DeSoto High School in Texas, where he turned plenty of heads and was rated a four-star recruit by 247Sports.
He was a first-team All-State selection as a senior after racking up 79 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, 14 pressures, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble in 2020 for a DeSoto squad that reached the 6A Division I state quarterfinals in the playoffs.
That came on the heels of Murphy tallying 98 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, eight sacks, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries as a junior.
Revisiting Murphy’s College Career
Murphy then committed to and signed with Texas in the class of 2021 and carved out a role early in his career.
He played in all 12 games with one start that season, notching 15 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks.
Murphy built on that production in 2022 with 13 appearances and one start, posting 26 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, and two quarterback hurries.
Murphy’s big breakout came in 2023, however, as he played in and started all 14 of the Longhorns’ games. He racked up 29 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, and seven quarterback hurries as a disruptive interior force, adding two offensive touchdowns with one receiving touchdown and another on the ground. He helped Texas earn its first College Football Playoff appearance in the process.
Murphy’s Potential In the NFL
Murphy is widely regarded as one of the two top defensive tackle prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft class and a potential first-round pick, depending on how it all shakes out.
Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings has Murphy ranked as his No. 2 defensive tackle prospect behind Illinois’ Johnny Newton and the 29th-best prospect overall on his big board. Cummings also has Murphy ranked well ahead of his third-best defensive tackle prospect, Clemson’s Ruke Orhorhoro (52nd overall).
Cummings had plenty of praise for Murphy in his scouting report of the disruptive defensive tackle.
“Murphy has elite explosiveness, twitch, and energy as a rusher despite being 6’1″ and 308 pounds. He can win pass-rushing reps with his athleticism, heavy hands, and motor, but he also has incredible strength for being primarily a 3-tech.
MORE: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report of Byron Murphy II
“In run defense, Murphy repeatedly prevents displacement against solo blocks and pullers with his sturdy base, leverage, and anchor. He also has the strength to absorb double-teams and combo blocks, and he can pry through extensions to make tackles in pursuit.
“Murphy’s floor as a run defender with his strength, mass, leverage, angle awareness, and movement freedom is already incredibly high, and he has the ceiling to be a devastating pass-rushing threat if he can channel his energy and power capacity more efficiently.
“As a prospect, Murphy bears some similarity to Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro defensive lineman Grady Jarrett.
“While he doesn’t have elite flexibility, Murphy is a truly ruthless competitor who matches his explosiveness with an invasive, destructive mentality, and his leverage, density, strength, and power make him a high-floor, high-ceiling 3-tech with additional alignment flexibility.”
Highlights, Records, and More
Murphy racked up quite the list of accolades for his standout junior season at Texas. He was named a third-team All-American by College Football Network and Phil Steele and a second-team All-American by the Associated Press, Sporting News, CBS Sports, ESPN, Fox Sports, Sports Illustrated, The Athletic, Athlon, and Pro Football Focus.
Murphy was also named the Big 12’s Defensive Lineman of the Year and first-team All-Big 12 selection for his efforts. He previously was an All-Big 12 honorable mention in 2021.
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