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Urban Meyer tabs Louis Murphy as the most underrated player he had at Florida

FaceProfileby: Thomas Goldkamp05/19/25
Former Florida head coach Urban Meyer in 2008
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Former Florida and Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has been a round a lot of high-level football in his time. Enough to see hundreds of players who could make a case for being some of the best in the sport.

But what about most underrated? Meyer was asked who the most underrated player he coached at Florida was on Another Dooley Noted Podcast. His answer might surprise some (though probably not Florida fans).

“I think Louis Murphy. I’m a Louis Murphy fan,” Meyer said. “I mean you think about the biggest games he had were in the biggest (stages). The Florida State game down there where he caught that wheel route. Then one of his greatest games of all time was that ‘Bama ’08 in the SEC Championship. He was dominant. And Georgia in the Cocktail Party when he did a great release on that corner.”

Urban Meyer referenced some of the highlights. Murphy had a strong final season at Florida, tallying 38 catches for 655 yards and seven touchdowns on an absolutely loaded offense.

He was instrumental in a handful of games. He had four catches for 77 yards and a touchdown against rival Miami. He caught a 44-yard touchdown pass against Georgia in a 49-10 smackdown. He went for four catches and 86 yards in the SEC Championship Game against Alabama.

And, oh yeah, Murphy also caught a key touchdown pass in the national title game against Oklahoma. That one where offense was at a premium and the score finished just 24-14.

It wasn’t just his impact on the field that earns him Urban Meyer’s designation for most underrated player, though. Murphy was so much more than that.

“He was an inspiring guy,” Meyer said. “Louis Murphy, to me, I’m sitting here going through in my mind, but Louis Murphy, to me, could be the most underrated, one of the most underrated I ever coached.”

That’s high praise from a man who has won three national championships. Urban Meyer has coached some unique talents over the years. But the one he says always gets slept on? That’s Louis Murphy.