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Connor Murphy has decided to commit to USC. You might actually be familiar with the Murphy- Connor's brother is former Stanford outside linebacker Trent Murphy. Oddly enough Connor Murphy didn't have Stanford in his top schools, but he chose USC instead of Michigan, Arizona State, Oregon, and Alabama. The teams interested in Murphy show how highly valued he is. Arizona State seemed like the likely landing spot because he lives in Phoenix, AZ, but Michigan was the choice of the experts, he didn't choose either.
Beyond excited to announce that I'll continue my football career @ USC✌️ @USC_Athletics #FightOn #NationalSigningDay pic.twitter.com/pVkcuviUs9
— Connor Murphy (@CMurph_90) February 3, 2016
According to 247sports, Murphy is a four-star recruit (almost a five-star) and the 5th ranked recruit in the state of Arizona. As far as ranking within his own position, he is ranked the 18th best.
On January 15th, Murphy visited campus with current USC commits Velus Jones, Tyler Vaughns, and Cary Angeline. Since the USC visit, Murphy has officially visited Michigan (Jan. 22) and Alabama (Jan. 29). He has also shared a special moment with Coach John Harbaugh during their "Netflix & Chill" sleepover, which made national news. The other school Murphy has visited is Oregon.
Murphy is a traditional weak-side defensive end who plays smash mouth football with a blue collar mentality. His grittiness to take out ball carriers and to push back offensive line gives him a four-star ranking in most recruiting sites. He sees the field well and finds the lanes to attack the ball carriers and uses his strength and length to bring them down.
In the passing game, Murphy doesn't get off the block as quickly has he could. He needs to work on his reaction time and developing a quick first step. His upper body strength needs some work too, in order for him to beat defenders with a bull rush technique. Something Murphy does well in the passing game by cutting down the throwing lanes. He is strong enough to release from his block and get his hands up and deflect the ball.
Murphy is a highly touted recruit and a much needed one for USC. Check out his highlights courtesy of Hudl and also check out the updated class of 2016 courtesy of 247sports: