Getting after the quarterback, a Murphy gridiron family tradition

Exclusive interview with Connor Murphy

 

In the short time of getting to know Connor Murphy, perhaps the most confusing thing to figure out was why the game of football came to him so late in life. Connor is a 6’7”, 250 pound, beast for Brophy College Prep but the transformation into dominating defensive end only started a season ago.

After an elbow injury limited playing time as a sophomore, Connor had a breakout junior season in 2014 coming up with 71 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 3 pass deflections, and 2 fumble recoveries. Watching his highlight reel one might be able to pickup on a couple of refinements that could be made to his game but at first glance one would think Connor has been playing since Pop Warner destroying every other quarterback he’s faced over the last 10 years.

A step further into Connor’s background adds a little more confusion to the late start. He’s the little brother of Washington Redskins rookie linebacker Trent Murphy and former Arizona State forward/center Kayli Murphy.

Kayli had a solid collegiate career for the Sun Devils tearing up the Georgia Bulldogs in the opening round of the 2009 Women’s NCAA Tournament grabbing 11 boards while scoring 12 points.

Trent helped lead Brophy Prep to back-to-back 5A1 Arizona state championship berths winning a state title in 2007. Before becoming a second round pick of the Washington Redskins in the 2014 NFL Draft, Trent was a consensus All-American in 2013 playing for Stanford leading the nation with 15 sacks.

Connor is on a similar path as his older siblings as a collegiate player at a Power Five Conference, but beyond those ties he is blazing his own path towards college greatness.

In an exclusive Connor sat down to cover the 2014 season, his unique way to prepare for his senior campaign, and his recruiting process.

 

Connor, the Broncos were 10-4 in 2014 with two tough losses to Hamilton and a season opening loss to the No. 1 team in the nation, Bishop Gorman. Looking back, how do you feel about how the season played out?

“We started the season off playing Bishop Gorman. They swatted us pretty good (44-0). Once we played them we were ready for the season. After taking on the No. 1 team in the nation and a loss to Hamilton (41-6) (and Centennial 24-14), we went on a nine game winning streak. We had nothing to be afraid of after playing the best teams. I could not be prouder of my team. Unfortunately Hamilton knocked us again in the third round of the playoffs (24-7).”

What were some of the strengths of the Brophy team?

“Our biggest strength was our team unity. Our defensive coach always preaches the next man up. The next man has to be ready to play. We had a war chant this year of “Hoka Hey.” It’s an Indian war chant that gave us the mindset of be ready to die and lets go kick their asses. We had a blue collar mentality to go punch them in the mouth.”

How do the Broncos look heading into next year?

“We didn’t lose too many seniors. I think we’ll have a shot at state.”

What do you guys have to do to win state?

“We have to have great leadership from our seniors. Since I was pulled up to varsity during my sophomore season we’ve had great leadership by our senior class. We have a lot of underclassmen that have been pulled up to play early. We’ve faced every school and been through it all. We should be very experienced next year. If we can do what our seniors have done the past two years we can go all the way.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“One goal and one goal only, get a state championship ring. We will have to attack each game one game at a time. First get into the playoffs, practice by practice. We have to watch film, get a good look on the field from the scout team, and have good leadership on the team.”

What are your strengths on the field as a defensive end?

“I take that blue collar mentality to the field. One of my strengths is pass rushing. I was getting double teamed a lot so I had to strengthen other parts of my game. As the season went on I got stronger in stopping the run game.”

What are your plans to try to improve your game in the offseason?

“I’m comparing my film to defensive ends in NFL. Guys like my brother Trent and JJ Watts (Houston Texans). Watts is like 6’7”, tall and lanky too.

“I’m also working out on water heaters in the backyard. My dad is a plumber. He brings water heaters into the backyard and I knock the piss out of those all day long. They serve as 300 pound offensive linemen.”

How heavy are the water heaters?

“They range in weight. We have about 50 of them. Some are empty some, are half full and, some are still completely full of water. I’d say the weight ranges from 50 to 1,000 pounds. I try to stay away from the big ones. I also get after it with a sledge hammer on a tire. I toss the water heaters too.”

Will you do any other interesting workout routines in the offseason?

“My dad (Gary) is big on weight lifting. He’s huge. He’s 6’7”, 300 pounds. He built a weight room in the backyard. I always go back there every night. I’ll work with the water heaters, the tires, go to some camps, and work with my big brother. When he comes down he’ll practice with me and we’ll watch a lot of film.”

Will you play multiple positions in 2015?

“I’m not sure? At the start of my junior season I played some tight end. The coaches were working on throwing some balls up high and having me go up and get them for plays in the red zone.”

What schools are recruiting you right now?

“I have offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon State, Stanford, and Vanderbilt.”

What other schools are showing you recruiting interest?

“USC has been showing major interest. I get a lot of messages from their defensive coaches. They have come up to see me a couple times at school. The Oregon Ducks, UCLA, Colorado and a couple of others are all showing interest in me.”

When you talk to the different college coaches what comments do they make about your play on the field?

“All the coaches pretty much say the same thing, they like my explosion off the ball, my hand extension, and how I get blockers off me. An ASU coached criticized my stance. He told me I need to fix it. I love all of that type of feedback.”

What was his criticism?

“How I position my back, he said I have some wasted energy getting off the ball.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“No, not yet. I’m planning on going to ASU sometime soon.”

Of the schools that have offered and the programs showing interest, do you have a favorite yet?

“None yet.”

Do you know when you will make a decision on which school you will commit to?

“I think I’m going to wait until this time next year after my senior season.

When you make that big decision on where to go to college what will be some of the important points you will consider?

“First thing I will consider is the team; the way the team treats me. Another factor is if I feel there is a lot of talent on the team that will challenge me. Do the guys want a ring as badly as I do? The coaches are important to me. How do they coach? I want to know I can go to war for that guy.”

Are there any schools out there not currently showing interest in you that you are open to their recruiting efforts?

“I’d like some of the SEC schools to start talking to me a little bit more. I’ve always liked the SEC. The guys seem tougher, bigger, and stronger out there.”

Will you attend any college camps this summer?

I’ve been invited to 2015 National Army combine. That’s Jan. 1-3. I have no plans for other camps yet.”

There’s a question I always ask, but I think I know the answer to this one already… Are there any college or NFL guys you watch to learn more about the game?

“(Laughing) Yeah, Trent, my brother. He’s like my twin. I like JJ Watts and Aldon Smith (San Francisco 49ers). Their both tall lanky guys like me. I love the way those guys use their arms. Any time I watch a college or pro game I try to compare myself to other defensive ends to see what they’re doing.”

Your family is chalked full of athletes, do you play any other sports other than football?

“Growing up I played it all; baseball and basketball. Playing all the other sports helps me now. I played basketball my freshman year but stopped my sophomore season when I started playing football. I also participate in track.”

What event?

“I throw the discus.”

Are you any good?

“I think I’m pretty good. I got the Most Valuable Field Event award for the school and I went to state in the event.”

What’s your best toss?

“147 feet.”

I got another soft toss question for you, who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“My brother has made the biggest impact. I love that guy. He’s always trying to come down to see my games. I love my dad. He always tells me the truth, good or bad. He’s the rock of our family.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I love hitting people. I love the challenge of the game. Practice is hard but when the game comes around it’s a lot easier if you’ve done all the hard work through the week. I just love football. The game always keeps you on your toes.”

 

Connor has the size and mentality along with the emerging skill set to be a force at the next level; the obvious superior genetic bloodlines displayed by his siblings that Connor also has does not hurt either. Amazing to think he’s only been playing tackle football for two seasons and is already tearing it up.

One can expect more than five scholarship offers to be extended to Connor by this time next year, especially if he attends a couple of camps at schools that have not already offered.

The future is bright for Connor no matter where he may lace up his cleats in college. Watching him emerge from a natural talent to a master at his position will be fun to see happen, as long as your not the opposition watching game film prepping to stop No. 90.