Murphy looking to make immediate contribution at ESU
By Jesse Newell
Originally published 02:02 p.m., July 3, 2008
Updated 02:02 p.m., July 3, 2008
Brian Murphy said it wasn’t difficult to put the math together.
With the University of Kansas football team adding running back Jocques Crawford — the junior-college offensive player of the year — to an already crowded backfield that included Jake Sharp and Angus Quigley, Murphy started to realize the effect it would have on him.
“We just have so many people at running back that it was probably going to be a while before I was even going to get a chance,” Murphy said from his home on Wednesday.
Murphy will get an immediate chance now, as he announced last week that he will transfer to play for Emporia State this upcoming season.
The 5-foot-8 running back/returner said when he decided to make a move, ESU quickly went to the top of his list.
“They showed the most interest in me, and I kind of liked how their offense was,” Murphy said. “I felt real comfortable with their coaching staff. They told me I could come in and contribute right away.”
The redshirt sophomore will have to battle for playing time at ESU with a bevy of running backs returning from last year.
Not only are senior Seville Ko and junior Justin Wieser coming back as starters, but redshirt freshman Adrian Abner also will enter the mix for carries.
In addition, ESU is expected to have H-back Lucas Sullivan, along with contributors Colby Rainey and Jake Lynch.
Perhaps Murphy’s best shot to have a quick impact will be at the return positions.
Murphy, who describes himself as a “finesse player that makes big plays,” could help a return unit that struggled for the most part a year ago.
ESU was eighth in the MIAA in kickoff returns (18 yards/return) and ninth in punt returns (5.4 ypr).
Murphy won’t be without friends when he arrives at campus next week for summer conditioning and 7-on-7 drills.
He already knows a lot about Zach Rampy, as the two played against each other as rivals in the Sunflower League.
Rampy was the quarterback for Blue Valley, while Murphy was a running back at Lawrence Free State.
The two talked some during Murphy’s visit to Emporia.
“He was telling me it was fun, and that they could use me down there,” Murphy said. “I know how he is as quarterback. He likes to sling the ball all over the field and everything, so I think it would be fun to play with him.”
During his two years at KU, Murphy said he had learned a lot of the mental aspects of being a running back. That included learning to make reads in the spread offense — a set similar to the one he will be playing at ESU.
He’s also coming from a winning program. Murphy was with KU last year as the team went 12-1 and finished with a victory over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl.
The biggest change for Murphy might be playing without his twin brother, Ryan.
The pair dominated the high school ranks — Brian as a running back, Ryan as a quarterback — as Brian was an All-State selection his senior year after rushing for 1,095 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Both players selected KU out of high school, though Ryan was given a scholarship while Brian decided to walk on.
Brian said he embraced the new opportunity on his own.
“It’ll be an adjustment. It’ll be different, but I mean, it’s not something that’s necessarily a bad thing,” Brian said. “I want to learn to be my own person.”
KingmanChief (anonymous) says...
None of the others in the running back stable have done much of anything (Ko especially). This kid should get a serious shot at a lot of time.
Out with the old, in with the new!
And hopefully, ESU can get a couple of more wins. Lately, it's been sad......
July 3, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eldiablo (anonymous) says...
Ko is over rated.
July 4, 2008 at 5:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
set_me_one (anonymous) says...
*I have to disagree with Newell's line, "Murphy will get an immediate chance now, as he announced last week that he will transfer to play for Emporia State this upcoming season." There are several talented athletes returning to the squad this year, especially in the running back position. I have not seen Murphy play so I will not write him off as a potential key component in the upcoming season, but I don't think it is right to write off the current players we have and move Murphy to the top of the depth chart.
*Murphy said he "kind of liked how their offense was..." If things go as they did last year, I hope he knows he will be added into a rotation of backs that doesn't allow any of them to establish a rhythm that leads to great plays.
*I wonder if KingmanChief has traveled to games and watched them in their entirety, instead of relying on stats. If so, he should know that Seville Ko was a highly sought after freshman that had the skills, abilities, and stats to play at a DI school. During his redshirt freshman season, he was dealt a hard blow with a knee injury - his agile moves were restricted with a bulky brace for the remaining part of the season. Also dealing with injuries was powerhouse El Ray Henry. With nagging back spasms, Henry could only stay in the rotation for a short while. Justin Wieser has dealt with weak ankles most of his career.
*All of these players have the ability to be great running backs - if they had an offensive line that could block. With one of the smallest lines in the MIAA, it's difficult to hold anyone back. Considering that, our run game has to be THAT much more talented to elude their opponents.
*Let's also not forget the rotation of quarterbacks that also throws off the run AND pass game. It's true that players have to learn to adapt (an entirely new coaching staff and implementation of a no-huddle offense), but there is only so much change you can expect a player to handle. There needs to be some consistency.
*Do I have the answers to how the team should be run? No. However, it really gets to me that the Hornets do not have more support from the school and community. KingmanChief and Eldiablo both have negative feelings about players on the team - which I strongly feel they should keep to themselves. If the Hornets could actually look up in the stands and see more than 50 people or a student section that isn't empty by the third quarter, it might motivate them to push a little harder. Right now and during the past few seasons their motivation has been to get out there and prove people wrong - why not try something different this year and start positive?
*I'll be at every game this upcoming season if anyone would like to join me. Win or lose I have faith in these boys and honor the hard work that they put into being such skilled athletes. I would like to welcome Murphy to this year's squad. I hope you live up to the expectations set before you and help us make big plays :)
July 6, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KingmanChief (anonymous) says...
I don't have negative feelings, just realistic concerns. When someone has had this much opportunity and not really produced much more than a footnote in ESU football history, it's a concern. And a valid one at that.
Relax, it's nothing personal. It kind of sounds like you have a lot invested emotionally here.
July 9, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
set_me_one (anonymous) says...
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July 10, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. ( permalink )
KingmanChief (anonymous) says...
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July 10, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. ( permalink )
glarson (anonymous) says...
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July 10, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KingmanChief (anonymous) says...
Thank you!
July 11, 2008 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )