Jason Murphy is a 6'3, 305-pound offensive guard out of Virginia Tech who
should receive a phone call on day two of the NFL Draft this April. A big,
strong lineman with a physical style of play and quick footwork, he switched
from defensive tackle following his freshman year to offensive guard. And he
flourished, earning All-ACC honors following his final season in 2005.
He's now working out in Denver, Colorado as he prepares himself for the NFL.
Here's what he had to say about his past, his future, and his approach to the
game of football.
Question: You started out as a defensive tackle at Virginia Tech after
posting 60 sacks in Baltimore during your high school career. Tell us how the
decision came about to switch you to the offensive line.
Answer: I guess it came mainly
to get me on the field a little earlier. When I came out of high school I played
defensive tackle and offensive guard, so they decided to give me a chance there
and I just took advantage of it.
Q: Did you find you were more
comfortable on the offensive side once you got settled in?
A: At first it wasn’t all that
comfortable because I had been playing on the defensive side and was working on
it at Virginia Tech. Defense is more of a run-type of position where you would
shoot out at a person, where at offensive guard it was more about keeping your
balance and keeping control at all times.
Q: Your teammates honored you
as the most team-oriented player and hardest worker.
What do you feel you did to earn that distinction?
A: I just went out there and put
it all out on the football field – even at practice. You’ve got to practice
the way you want to play. So I practice hard and focus on doing things right on
the field. Off the field I’d try to help some of the younger guys.
Q: Tell us a bit about the “Chain Gang Award” that you won
in college.
A: The Chain Gang Award is based on the coach grading each
player. And if you grade out over 80% in at least eight of the games, then you make
the Chain Gang.
Q: You were selected to play
in the Hula Bowl. How do you feel your performance there helped make your case
that you belong in the NFL?
A: It gave me a chance to go
against some different players and be seen going up against some of the top
players in college football. It may not have been the Senior Bowl or the
East-West Shrine Game, but there was still top talent there. I think it gave the
scouts a good look at what kind of player I am and the type of work ethic I
have.
Q: Now you aren’t going to
the Combine next week, but tell us about what you’re currently doing to keep
improving your technique and to help raise your profile while you await the NFL
draft.
A: My agent, Domann &
Pittmann, they’ve got me working out in Denver, Colorado with Leo Goeas, who
was in the NFL for close to ten years. I’m trying to critique and work on my
hand position and my footwork. He’s
been giving me and some other offensive linemen insight on what to expect in the
NFL once we get there.
Q: How would you describe
your attitude out on the football field?
A: I’m a very excited player.
But I’m not a real uptight guy when I’m out on the football field. I like to
be loose and ready for anything that the defense might throw at me. And I’m a
very competitive person out there. No one likes to lose, but I definitely
don’t like to lose.
Premium Members can click here to read the rest of our interview with Jason where he talks about which teams are showing the most interest in him, his attitude and skills on the football field, and how his family has impacted him as a person and a football player.