Tag: Byron Murphy

True freshman DT Byron Murphy draws praise from Keondre Coburn

After disappointing on paper, there will end up being a few hidden gems from the 2021 cycle.

Many people reflect on Texas’ 2021 recruiting class and grow frustrated. Rightfully so. Tom Herman failed to deliver on some of the most important targets within the cycle, leaving the Longhorns outside of the top 10 on the 247Sports composite for the first time during his tenure.

However, there will end up being a few hidden gems from the 2021 cycle. One of the main ones may be three-star defensive tackle Byron Murphy.

Coming out of DeSoto High School, Murphy tied the famed high school’s single-season sack record with 14, giving him 20.5 for his career. After being committed to Baylor, Texas convinced him to flip over before the early signing day.

The issue people see with Murphy is his size. Listed at 6-foot-1, 297-pounds, many would consider that too small to play the defensive tackle position. Only two SEC schools (Georgia, Mississippi State) offered Murphy.

Early on in fall camp, none of it has mattered. Star defensive lineman Keondre Coburn has given nothing but praise for the former three-star, saying he is probably the best pass rusher on the team.

Winning every single rep over the past six days is impressive, especially for a true freshman going up against a solid offensive line.

Could early playing time be in store for the youngster? There projects to be plenty of bodies ahead of Murphy but winning reps in practice gets you on the field. Getting an early test against a weaker opponent such as Rice could give Texas’ defensive staff a better idea.

No other freshman is expected to instantly contribute on the defensive side of the ball. Murphy could be the first to break through, changing the narrative on what was a disappointing 2021 class on paper.

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Rookie CB Marco Wilson leaning on CB Byron Murphy to start NFL career

Rookie CB Marco Wilson, who has been learning both outside and inside corner, is looking to Byron Murphy early in his NFL career.

The Arizona Cardinals are very high on the talent of rookie cornerback Marco Wilson. They believe he will be the steal of their draft class. Wilson might not play much on defense early but has learned a lot so far and has a veteran teammate taking him under his wings.

Wilson told Justin Melo in an interview for Cards Wire that he is learning a lot from third-year cornerback Byron Murphy.

“I’ve really leaned on and taken the time to learn from Byron Murphy,” Wilson said. “He’s taken me under his wing and has been very helpful with my transition to the league so far. I’m thankful to call him a friend.”

Murphy is a very good player to gravitate toward. The Cardinals drafted him in the second round in 2019 but had him rated the fifth overall player on their draft board.

They have high hopes for him in 2020 and he and Wilson both have versatile roles. Murphy is their slot cornerback but will also play outside this season.

That is what Wilson did in offseason work.

“I’ve spent time both at outside cornerback and at the nickel back spot as well,” he said. “I’m a versatile guy that can move around and play multiple roles on defense. I’m happy that they’re trusting me enough to learn both positions.”

Murphy struggled as a rookie when he was forced into playing right away. He improved in Year 2 and now is poised to be perhaps their best cornerback.

That is something Wilson can watch.

Unlike Murphy, he likely won’t be asked to play much as a rookie unless there are dire circumstances like there were in 2019 for Murphy when Patrick Peterson was suspended for six games and Robert Alford broke his leg in training camp.

But he can see how a player who works extremely hard can ascend as a player.

Wilson is learning that everything about the NFL is serious.

“I have learned that the NFL is a business first and foremost. You have to take every aspect of it seriously. It’s all so important, especially when it comes to taking care of your body,” he said.

If Wilson does develop into a solid player, the Cardinals could end up with a pair of talented, versatile cornerbacks on the field, able to cover any receiver, inside or outside.

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Rookie CB Marco Wilson leaning on CB Byron Murphy to start NFL career

Rookie CB Marco Wilson, who has been learning both outside and inside corner, is looking to Byron Murphy early in his NFL career.

The Arizona Cardinals are very high on the talent of rookie cornerback Marco Wilson. They believe he will be the steal of their draft class. Wilson might not play much on defense early but has learned a lot so far and has a veteran teammate taking him under his wings.

Wilson told Justin Melo in an interview for Cards Wire that he is learning a lot from third-year cornerback Byron Murphy.

“I’ve really leaned on and taken the time to learn from Byron Murphy,” Wilson said. “He’s taken me under his wing and has been very helpful with my transition to the league so far. I’m thankful to call him a friend.”

Murphy is a very good player to gravitate toward. The Cardinals drafted him in the second round in 2019 but had him rated the fifth overall player on their draft board.

They have high hopes for him in 2020 and he and Wilson both have versatile roles. Murphy is their slot cornerback but will also play outside this season.

That is what Wilson did in offseason work.

“I’ve spent time both at outside cornerback and at the nickel back spot as well,” he said. “I’m a versatile guy that can move around and play multiple roles on defense. I’m happy that they’re trusting me enough to learn both positions.”

Murphy struggled as a rookie when he was forced into playing right away. He improved in Year 2 and now is poised to be perhaps their best cornerback.

That is something Wilson can watch.

Unlike Murphy, he likely won’t be asked to play much as a rookie unless there are dire circumstances like there were in 2019 for Murphy when Patrick Peterson was suspended for six games and Robert Alford broke his leg in training camp.

But he can see how a player who works extremely hard can ascend as a player.

Wilson is learning that everything about the NFL is serious.

“I have learned that the NFL is a business first and foremost. You have to take every aspect of it seriously. It’s all so important, especially when it comes to taking care of your body,” he said.

If Wilson does develop into a solid player, the Cardinals could end up with a pair of talented, versatile cornerbacks on the field, able to cover any receiver, inside or outside.

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CB Byron Murphy doesn’t make top slot defenders list

However, with a big year in 2021, he might make the cut a year from now.

The Arizona Cardinals believe in cornerback Byron Murphy. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph speaks highly of him entering the new season. He enters his third season ready to break out as a great defender.

He has primarily been a slot cornerback so far in the NFL and that will be his primary role in 2021, although he will likely play every snap this season.

However, with what he has done so far in the NFL, he does not make the cut as one of the league’s top slot defenders, according to Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar.

Former Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu gets the top slot. He was dynamic in the slot when he was healthy for the Cardinals back in the day.

Can Murphy take the leap into this list in a year?

The Cardinals believe in him.

General manager Steve Keim was bullish on Murphy back in March, saying, “We think Murph is one of the better inside corners in the NFL.”

They had him rated the No. 5 overall player in the draft in 2019. If he progresses like he hopes and the Cardinals hope, he could be on this list next summer.

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What CB coach Greg Williams had to say about Cardinals CBs

He described Malcolm Butler and the rest of the notable players to be in the mix this year.

The Arizona Cardinals have a different group of cornerbacks on the team in 2021. Patrick Peterson, Kevin Peterson and Dre Kirkpatrick all are no longer on the team. They signed Malcolm Butler, brought back Robert Alford and drafted Marco Wilson and Tay Gowan.

Appearing on the team’s weekly radio show, the Big Red Rage, cornerbacks coach Greg Williams commented on the rookies they added and also about the veterans on the roster.

Read on to find out what he had to say about them.


Cardinals positional needs and review: Cornerback

A look back at the 2020 season and what could be happening this offseason at the position.

The Arizona Cardinals are in the offseason and are evaluating what to do to improve and address the roster in 2021.

As we have done previously with the quarterback, running back, wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line positions, as well as inside and outside linebacker, we will look at each position group, how it did in 2020, who is on the roster moving forward, and what the Cardinals need at the position moving forward.

Next up are the cornerbacks.


Texas Football Recruiting: Longhorns flip four-star DT, former Baylor commit

Texas found momentum on the recruiting trail on Wednesday by landing former Baylor commit, four-star defensive tackle Byron Murphy II.

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Texas has finally received some momentum on the recruiting trail. Continue reading “Texas Football Recruiting: Longhorns flip four-star DT, former Baylor commit”

Cardinals sign CB Johnathan Joseph; activate CB Byron Murphy, LB Devon Kennard

The Cardinals make a number of roster moves on Wednesdays.

The Arizona Cardinals announced a flurry of roster moves on Wednesday morning, ahead of their returning to practice to start Week 10.

They added a player, get back a pair of others and deal with some injuries.


Kliff Kingsbury hopeful of return of Devon Kennard, Byron Murphy from COVID list

Both could be back at practice on Wednesday after spending the last week and a half on the league’s COVID list.

The Arizona Cardinals lost two of their key defensive contributors last week when outside linebacker Devon Kennard and cornerback Byron Murphy tested positive for the coronavirus, leading them to being placed on the COVID-19 reserve. They did not play on Sunday in the team’s 34-31 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

It appears they are set to return to practice and to be removed from the COVID list, according to head coach Kliff Kingsbury.

“As of last night, they were trending that way,” Kingsbury said Wednesday morning. “I’m hopeful that everything will be finalized this morning and we can get them back out there.”

The Cardinals missed both players on Sunday. The cornerback depth was tested in particular, as Dre Kirkpatrick was also out with an injury. With the Buffalo Bills coming to town next with a very talented trio of receivers in Stefon Diggs, John Brown and Cole Beasley, hopefully Murphy is fine and able to play this Sunday.

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Loss of Byron Murphy raises questions for Cardinals at slot CB

Most of the cornerbacks on their roster are outside corners.

The Arizona Cardinals have used Byron Murphy as they slot cornerback all season. Because he was placed on the COVID-19 reserve, the team will need someone else when they take on the Miami Dolphins this weekend.

Who will play?

Most of the cornerbacks on the 53-man roster have little experience in the slot. Patrick Peterson stays outside, as does Dre Kirkpatrick. Recently signed De’Vante Bausby has really only played outside. Veteran Prince Amukamara, who is on the practice squad, has played outside his while career.

Kevin Peterson is a candidate, as is practice squad rookie Jace Whittaker, who was praised in training camp for his play in the slot.

The Cardinals could also move Budda Baker to the slot, where he played in 2018, allowing both Jalen Thompson and Deionte Thompson to play st safety in nickel packages.

Some have proposed that rookie linebacker Isaiah Simmons could also do it. While he did it in college, the Cardinals would not want him trying to cover receivers. He might line up to cover a running back or tight end, but he likely would not do that against a receiver.

My guess is Peterson will get the first shot at it this week.

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