Marcus Murphy

strengths

Versatility and explosiveness are the keys. Murphy has seen a lot of time at running back, slot receiver and returner and appears well suited to handling these multiple roles at the next level. He lacks prototypical size, of course, but uses his naturally low center of gravity to remain balanced and has terrific agility and burst to go along with vision and soft hands.

played in a spread scheme that catered to his athleticism by getting him the ball in space and helped pad his statistics. more quick than fast and may not possess ideal breakaway speed... looks thinner on tape than his listed weight and may struggle to handle the additional physicality of the nfl. lacks consistency as a route runner and is strictly a change-of-pace back in the running game, making his value to nfl teams mostly on special teams.

--Rob Rang

good stop-start quickness to elude and attacks gaps as a runner and especially as a returner, wasting little time going east-west. accelerates smoothly to pull away into the open, though defenders with an angle can close... relatively good ball security for a player of his build.

WEAKNESSES

An elusive multipurpose back who made an impact in numerous ways for his high school program

ranked by Rivals.com as the nation's No. 13 all-purpose back, and as the No. 55 overall prospect at any position to come out of the state of Texas

ranked by Scout.com as the nation's No. 88 running back talent, while ESPN.com puts him as the nation's No. 90 running back prospect

was a two-time District 11-5A offensive most valuable player and team captain

ran for 1,410 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior, while catching 35 passes out of the backfield for 653 yards and eight more touchdowns

accounted for 23 total touchdowns as a junior in 2008, as he ran for 1,274 yards and 17 scores, while adding 41 catches for 524 yards and six touchdowns

high school coach - Claude Mathis.

Parents - William & Tonnette Murphy

lists hobbies as working out, listening to music and playing sports

chose Mizzou over Mississippi, Minnesota, Kansas, Iowa State, Utah and Northwestern, among others.