Brophy's Murphy to dish out next tackles for USC

February 3, 2016 by Jose Garcia, AZPreps365


University of Southern California is filling full thanks to Connor Murphy’s gut.

USC football was salivating over the services of Murphy, one of the nation’s elite linebackers still scouring the recruiting table. On Wednesday, Murphy made his reservation to attend USC during a National Signing Day ceremony at the Majerle’s Sports Grill in north Phoenix.

“It was a gut feeling,” Muphy told the media attending the event.

The Brophy standout said he didn’t want to leave USC while on his recruiting trip, something he didn’t feel during his other recruiting trips.  

“I wanted to strap it on (pads) and play when I was there (USC),” he added.

Murphy also said he hit it off with USC’s new coaching staff, including USC’s defensive coordinator, Clancy Pendergast, a Tolleson High product.

USC is planning to start Murphy at outside linebacker, and if the 6-feet-7, 255-pound senior continues to grow they might move him to defensive end, he said.

Before making his announcement, Murphy called a coach his family is close to, Jim Harbaugh of Michigan, who did all he could to recruit Murphy, including spending a night at his home, where they watched movies on Netflix. Harbaugh coached Murphy’s brother, Trent, at Stanford and also helped babysit Murphy while Harbaugh was recruiting Trent.

“That was a rough phone call,” Murphy said. “It was like breaking up with a girlfriend.”

Here is my official verbal commitment video! Fight on✌️tune in for more! #NationalSigningDay #USC #TrojanFamily pic.twitter.com/N1StBamoNM

— Connor Murphy (@CMurph_90) February 3, 2016

Below is a list of some of the players who signed Wednesday at Majerle's. Les Willsey and Andy Morales of azpreps365 also are posting stories on high school athletes who signed Wednesday. If you don't see your name in our stories, please email me (jgarcia@azpreps365.com) your name, the school you signed with and the sport you play.

Players signing

Cactus

Preston Guerra, Colorado State Unversity-Pueblo

Deer Valley

Walter Tinsley, Phoenix College

Joy Christian

Dujuan Lawrence, Colorado State University-Pueblo

Matt Mitchell, Phoenix College

Pinnacle

Kent Cullumber, Glendale Community College

Dru Dixon, Air Force Academy

Davontae Drayton, Eastern Arizona

Verrado

Blair Brody, Phoenix College

Xavier James, Eastern Washington

Proud Papa
photo by Photo by Jose Garcia/azpreps365.com
#3: Proud Papa
Coach Roy Lopez of Mesquite High and his son Roy Lopez III, who is headed to New Mexico State.

6 Photos in Collection

The Murphys Man of Troy Proud Papa Verrado Strong Fly Boy D.J. Scratching The Surface