From Dream to Reality, Byron Murphy II Fulfills Goal of Playing For the Seahawks
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As Byron Murphy II stood behind a table to pose for photos, holding up a Seattle Seahawks jersey with his last name stitched on the back, it marked the culmination of a childhood dream turned into a reality, and the next step in a journey he’s been on all his life.
It was also a symbolic moment.
Flanked by general manager John Schneider on his right and head coach Mike Macdonald to his left, Murphy, the team’s first-round pick out of Texas in the 2024 NFL Draft, is expected to play a central role for the Seahawks along the defensive line for seasons to come.
Listed as a 6-foot, 306-pound defensive tackle, Murphy — who will wear No. 91 for the team — anchored a Longhorns DL that allowed the third-fewest rushing yards per game (82.3) in college football last season with 9 touchdowns given up on the ground over 14 games.
“Growing up, Seattle was my favorite team,” Murphy said at his introductory press conference Thursday.
Going from a dream come true to the next prodigal son of the Emerald City starts with what made Murphy the No. 16 overall pick.
Steady growth and constant impact.
From his early days in DeSoto, Texas, roughly a 20-minute drive south of Dallas, Murphy was always made to be a game-wrecker with a football in his hand or in his sights.
At 6-years-old Murphy began playing running back, going against kids two or three years older, and stayed with it all the way through middle school.
It was at DeSoto High School — as the latest first-round pick from the school since Von Miller went No. 2 overall in the 2011 draft to the Denver Broncos — where he switched to defense, first starting out as a linebacker his freshman year.
He moved down in the box to defensive line as a sophomore, despite being doubted due to his shorter size and lack of arm length compared to other players at the position.
“I looked at it as motivation,” Murphy said. “It never tore me down. It just built me up. It just made me work hard and made me try to prove everybody wrong.”
In three varsity seasons for DeSoto, Murphy recorded 198 total tackles and 43 tackles for loss, to go along with 19 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 4 fumble recoveries over 36 games, proving the doubters wrong.
“I believe in heart over height,” he added. “That don’t matter when you’re on the field. All that goes out the window. It’s either you’re a dawg, or you’re not.”
Murphy elected to stay close to home and sign with the in-state Texas Longhorns to play for head coach Steve Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski.
Similar to his early days at DeSoto, Murphy arrived in Austin and immediately got to work playing in all 12 games with one start, registering 15 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks.
For his efforts he earned Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.
Now entering his first season with the Seahawks, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year is one of two goals Murphy has.
The other? Win.