Texas DL Byron Murphy II Declares for 2024 NFL Draft
On the heels of a 37-31 loss to Washington in the College Football Playoff semifinals, Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II has decided that it’s time for the next phase of his career, announcing his intentions to enter the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday.
As one of several standouts on the Longhorns’ defense in 2023, Murphy helped anchor a front seven that allowed just 82.4 rushing yards per game, good for third nationally.
Murphy was named the 2023 Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, and was one-half of an incredibly stout defensive interior for the Longhorns, flanking DT T’Vondre Sweat, who himself was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
In his junior season, Murphy racked up 29 tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks, and also scored two touchdowns on the year.
Murphy’s declaration is a formality at this point, as he accepted an invitation to the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl a few weeks ago, tipping off that he’d made a decision to leave after 2023.
The 6-foot-1, 308-pound junior graduated from the University of Texas in December and went through Senior Day ceremonies, so this comes as no surprise to the Longhorns.
Murphy currently projects as a fringe-top-10 defensive lineman in the 2024 draft class and is likely to hear his name called on Day 2.
