WEST POINT – West Point junior Marcus Murphy considers himself a quick study.
On the football field, regardless of the assignment, it is time to tackle that task heads-on with determination and focus. However, a whirlwind sophomore season found Murphy learning something new every day.
“Last season, I learned that I could play through hard times,” Murphy said. “I learned that I could become a leader. It took a minute, because I had to learn how to work on my footwork. I had to learn how to throw the football. I never really did that until my sophomore year. I had to adapt. I had to become a leader. I had to become more vocal.
“It was a challenge, but I felt like I came a long way in all of those areas.”
At 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, Murphy had to learn how to play the quarterback position and had to learn how to become a leader all at the same time. However, he did have a pair of advantages. Murphy remains one of the fastest players in the state. He also had the luxury of working with all-state offensive lineman Scott Lashley, who completed his time at West Point last fall and is now playing at the University of Alabama.
“After a couple of games, it really clicked on offense,” Murphy said. “I fed off Scott and he fed off me. When he had momentum, it felt like our whole offense had momentum and could do anything. Really though, the main thing I learned from him is how to become a leader.
“You can’t put the wrong stuff up there (on social media). You have to be vocal. You have to step up. You have to challenge the guys. You have to push them. I learned those things from him and so much more.”
In 2015, Murphy ran for 1,615 yards and 16 touchdowns, while throwing for 770 yards and nine touchdowns. Chris Calvert, also a sophomore last season, ran for 1,490 yards and 18 touchdowns. As a team, West Point ran for 4,316 yards and 47 touchdowns, while posting an 11-3 record.
The passing numbers grew throughout the season and should see more growth this season with the transfer of senior Clayton Knight, who threw for 1,099 yards at Saltillo High School last season.
“This year, we are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best,” Murphy said. “We are really coming together well as a team. When (Knight) came, it opened up the whole offense. We built a great relationship right away. The offense is coming along great. We are working on new plays. In practice, we are learning how to overcome adversity.”
West Point coach Chris Chambless said both Knight and Murphy will see time at quarterback this season. On most plays, both will be on the field. Murphy will be used more as a receiver as well. Chambless said the versatile Murphy has enough ability and intelligence to play “virtually any position” on the field.
“It’s going to be a different year and that is for sure,” Chambless said. “The main thing is we have to put both players in a position to be successful. Marcus grew so much last year. He wanted to be the leader. He wanted to do more and more for his team.”
This season. Murphy wants to continue to lead. He also knows with Calvert and Knight in the backfield, the pressure is lessened to make every play.
“We have so many weapons,” Murphy said. “I think we can do a lot of different things to make the other team uptight on defense. We will be more of a 50-50 (run versus pass) team on offense. We will still play Green Wave football, but we will be doing some things differently. I think the guys are excited about what we can turn this into.”
Calvert knows the work ethic of Murphy. He also knows his leadership skill. The duo worked well a year ago but is happy to have even more help this season.
“Murph is special,” Calvert said. “It’s amazing the things that he can do on a football field. We were both sophomores last year and there wasn’t much of a learning curve. We just tried to do the best we could. Each week Marcus got a little better at being a leader. He got a little louder in the huddle. He knew what we needed.”
Still, the last two seasons have ended with Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A playoff losses to region rival Oxford (second round in 2014 and third round in 2015).
“We have gotten West Point football back on the doorstep,” Murphy said. “I think that is why everybody is working so hard. It’s really all business every day on the field. We are a determined team.”
As wins mount and yards accumulate, Murphy’s recruiting profile will continue to grow. He estimates three or four letters come to his residence each day. Following in the footsteps of Columbus senior Kylin Hill, Murphy gave a verbal committed to Mississippi State earlier this summer. According to Murphy, MSU is his only official offer.
However, the recruiting process could continue to have some twists and turns.
“I am very excited about the process,” Murphy said. “A year ago, I stuck my foot in. Now, I have to go out and finish. There is still so much more I need to learn and still improvement I want to make. Mississippi State has been very good to me. They have shown a lot of interest.
“Since signing is still so far away, my main focus right now is keeping the grades up and helping my team win. We will have a chance to win the state championship in each of my final two seasons. So right now, it’s all about finishing. It’s making sure we do everything every day in practice to be the best team in the end.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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