Keeping It Heel
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UNC Football: Myles Murphy Receives Preseason Recognition

By Mark DeMott

Oct 16, 2021; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Myles Murphy (8) reacts after the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2021; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Myles Murphy (8) reacts after the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UNC football defensive lineman is expected to have a big-time junior season in Chapel Hill.

The UNC football program’s defensive unit is coming into the fall highly motivated following a disappointing season last year.  With the return of former defensive coordinator Gene Chizik, expectations are that the unit will show improvement this upcoming season.

One player who is expected to play a major role on the Tar Heel defense is Myles Murphy.  On Monday, he received national recognition as he was named to both the Nagurski and Outland Trophy Watch lists.  The Nagurski Trophy recognizes the nation’s best defensive player, while the Outland Trophy is awarded to the country’s best interior lineman.

These lists are filled with some of the best defensive players in college football, including names such as Alabama’s Will Anderson, Clemson’s Bryan Bresee, and Oregon’s Noah Sewell.  Murphy has steadily improved throughout his career and turned himself into a player worthy of this kind of recognition.

The former four-star prospect has appeared in all 25 games of his college career, including starting all 13 last season.  Murphy made Second team All-ACC last season and had the second most sacks and tackles for loss on the Carolina defense last season.  He came on strong at the end of his sophomore season, registering a career-high six tackles in the loss to South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.

Murphy will have an important role in leading the charge for the Carolina D-Line, while veteran defensive backs Storm Duck and Tony Grimes will command the secondary.  These players will need to make a big on a UNC team that was picked to finish third in the ACC media poll.

This announcement marks another watch list that includes a Tar Heel, as both Josh Downs and British Brooks were named to similar preseason watch lists.  There are talented players throughout the Carolina roster and if they can put it together a coastal division title is definitely a possibility.

Next. Wilcher Earns Peach Jam Honors. dark

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