Clemson defensive end turning pro, will skip bowl game
Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy has played his final game at Clemson.
Murphy is declaring for the NFL draft and is turning pro, Dabo Swinney announced during a meeting with the media on Tuesday.
Murphy will not play in Clemson’s Orange Bowl game against Tennessee on Dec. 30. He is no longer with the team as he begins preparing for the draft.
“The only one that’s going to go ahead and go pro is Myles Murphy,” Swinney said. “Excited for his opportunity. He’s going to be a great pro and appreciate everything he did here. Wish him well.”
Murphy recorded 45 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks this season, tying for the team lead in sacks.
As a sophomore last season, he led the Tigers with 14 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
Swinney detailed what his conversation was like with the Georgia native.
“Easy conversation. I think he contemplated things – whether or not he was going to come back or go pro or whatever. And then whether or not he was going to play in the game. I think all of those things weighed heavily on him,” Swinney said. “He didn’t make that decision on a whim. That’s not who he is. If you get to know Myles, Myles is a very deep guy. And he’s got a great family and a lot of support around him. So he really took his time to think through it.”
Murphy is the first player to opt out of a bowl game since Swinney took over the Tigers program during the 2007 season.
He signed with Clemson as a five-star recruit and the No. 8 player in the country for the class of 2020.
Murphy is projected to be drafted by the Packers with the No. 14 overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, according to ESPN draft expert Todd McShay.
“We gave him all the information and that’s what we do. He made the decision, support the decision and keep moving. But not surprised. He’s a great player and I think will be a pretty high draft pick,” Swinney said.
“I think he’s gonna test well and work out well and compete well and all those things. He’ll be a great player for a long time.”