Interview: The Future is Sky High for 3-Star 2020 Mater Dei OG Myles Murao

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Myles Murao has earned his early three-star status and recruiting interest the hard way, by being a starting offensive lineman in 2017 for the nation’s best high school football team. The attention attracted by Murao is for good reason, the 6-3, 270 pound, guard is already making a case to be one of the best in his class in the nation supported by a highlight reel squaring off against some of the top teams not only in California but in the nation.

When the clock rolled triple-zeros on the 2017 season, Mater Dei High School had posted an impressive 15-0 record trampling the opposition along the way. The offense, led by five-star Class of 2018 quarterback J.T. Daniels (USC), averaged 48 points a contest. The hit list for the Monarchs last season was equally impressive. Out of state competition included Bishop Gorman, MaxPreps’ 2016 national champs, and Bergen Catholic (NJ). In-state competition reads among some of the elite teams like Bishop Amat, Santa Margarita, St. John Bosco – twice, JSerra Catholic, Orange Lutheran, Servite, Vista Murrieta, Long Beach Poly, Mission Viejo, and De La Salle. The closest margin of victory was an in-season league game against rivals St. John Bosco, a 31-21 win.

From Game 1, Murao was in the trenches working and developing his craft knowing he had to protect one of the best quarterbacks in the nation on every snap – and he did it well. Well enough that offers have come in from Washington, UCLA, Utah, and Colorado. With the camp and combine season along with the spring evaluation period coming up quickly, expect Murao’s interest to pick up for college coaches looking for a do-all next level guard on their 2020 roster.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Murao covering his sophomore season while learning more about his offseason plans.

Interview

Myles, what was the championship run like for you personally last season?

“At the beginning of the season, our first game was my first varsity game. I had a lot of nerves going into that game because there were high expectations on us and we were ranked so high. The reason I handled it so well was because Chris Murray (UCLA), Tommy Brown (Alabama), and all the guys kept me in check. They all helped me. As for the championship run, I feel like the reason we won the championship was due to all the hard practices and extra stuff we did. We were putting in the extra work that other teams were not doing.”

What was your mentality as the Monarchs went into the playoffs with the high expectations upon your shoulders as you just mentioned?

“You have to expect a championship to happen for it to happen. If you think it might happen, it won’t. You have to have confidence in yourself.”

You got to square off against a lot of great defensive talent last season, was there a game or two that challenged you and pushed your abilities?

“The Bishop Amat game going against (4-star DT) Aaron Maldonado (Cal). He was my biggest challenge. If you watch my first game, you can tell I was nervous. I feel like I would have played better against him by the third or fourth game of the season. I gave up a sack in that game.”

How did facing that adversity with Maldonado make you a better player?

“I feel like he made me better. He helped me have the right mindset for the varsity level. He set me up for what to expect from every other player the rest of the season.”

Is there a game last season that best showcases all that you do well on the field?

“I feel like the (St. John) Bosco game, the championship game, was one of my best games.”

What are some of the things you feel you do well as an offensive lineman?

“We were a passing team last year, I feel like I am a very good pass blocker. My first steps and my hands are good and I have a solid punch. If you watch my film, there wasn’t a time where guys got around me. We did not run the ball that much so I could not tell how good my run blocking was last year. We did not pull guards either.”

What are you working on this offseason?

“I am working on being more aggressive and more violent with my hands.”

Are you working with a lineman coach outside of school for extra tutelage?

“I go to the Men in the Trenches workout with Jesse Sapolu (San Francisco 49ers – four-time Super Bowl winner). I go there every Saturday.”

Have you maxed out in the weight room this offseason?

“I have on bench – I benched 395. We max out on all the other lifts over the next three weeks.”

That is impressive. Do you plan to showcase your abilities at any national camps or combines this spring?

“I am going to the Under Amour camp on the Feb. 25, the Nike Opening (LA), and to Rivals.”

Are you eyeing any college camps?

“I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it yet.”

How many offers do you have now?

“I have four offers from Washington, UCLA, Utah, and Colorado.”

Last few questions but going back on the field. Which opposing crowd has the rowdiest fan base?

“Bosco. When we were about to score, we could not hear JT (Daniels) give the snap count. We could not hear him give say “set-go”.”

What is the funniest thing an opposing defender said to you in a game?

“Sivea Vito-Logoleo, No. 93 from Bosco, he is a close friend. We were talking all game back and forth to one another making each other laugh.”

What has you excited about the 2018 season?

“The 2018 season – I feel like it is exciting to have a whole new offense with all the seniors gone. We have gelled well so far. It will be exciting to see what we can do together. Last year’s team was great, I feel we can accomplish the same as last year’s team.”

Myles, it has been a lot of fun getting to know you better. I appreciate your time today. Good luck with the rest of your offseason workouts and with the upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Materdeifootball.net; No. 74 Myles Murao