Friday night was the Heel Tough Blog’s highly anticipated trip up I-85 to get a look at 2020 4✮ SDE Myles Murphy. Murphy, one of the big three along the defensive line in this class for the Tar Heels and he faced one of the biggest tests of his senior season on Friday night against conference rival Parkland. Let’s breakdown the Under Armour All-American showing on homecoming night for the Dudley Panthers.
The No. 6 strongside defensive end in the 2020 class got off to a bit of a slow start in the first, registering just one total tackle and one quarterback pressure, as he was held in check by an undersized Parkland offensive line. Murphy responded in the second half, though, and finished the night with a bang, as he ripped the ball away from the Parkland running back, creating was would eventually become a scoop-and-score touchdown for the Panthers. Murphy was a bigger issue for Parkland in the second half matched up on the outside against the left tackle, providing more consistent pressure and making a couple of nice plays in run defense. Murphy finished the night with four total tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.
Murphy has definitely added some weight since his time at Southwest Guilford and looks the part of a strongside defensive end who will play the 4i-technique when he arrives to campus next year. Murphy has a quick release off the line of scrimmage and does a good job of working finesse moves to get into the backfield. At his size and projected position at the college level, I would like to see him become a little more physical, but that is something that Tim Cross will likely be able to pull out of him. He will thrive, though, immediately in pass rushing situations and that’s why, combined with all of the departures, there is a real chance Murphy can come in and make an early impact.
Murphy wasn’t the only player to have a big night. 2021 5✮ DT Payton Page is impressive, as he combines being a space eater in the middle of the defense in run situations with ferocious pass rushing skills, which at his size, is impressive. There is a reason that he’s a five star. Linebacker Milan Summers may have been the best player on the field on Friday night, providing constant pressure on quarterback and making countless plays in open space. Right now he doesn’t seem to be on any recruiting radar, but he definitely has the talent to be. Others who had nice nights were Dudley running back Marlon Darby and Parkland wide receiver and kick returner Chase Rorie.
The Heel Tough Blog will unfortunately be off next week due to a work trip, but we will return the next Friday for what should be a great rivalry matchup between South Point and Shelby where we will get a look at 2020 3✮ WR commit Ray Rose.
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