After moving from Connecticut to Southern California, Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian lineman Sam Murphy had to make a tough adjustment.
“When I moved out here from Connectitcut, it was difficult leaving friends and football,” said Murphy. “But it’s been easier because of the hugely more successful football team at Oaks Christian.”
Murphy, who plays defensive end and offensive tackle, has been hearing from a host of schools since the move, but mostly from the East Coast.
“Because of the transfer, I haven’t heard from a whole lot of schools out here but I’ve been emailing with Boston College, Maryland, Army and UConn,” said Murphy. “I’m open to going wherever, really anywhere for school.”
Longtime Oaks head coach Bill Redell, who just recently retired, spoke highly of Murphy.
“Sam has the right body to be an offensive tackle in college and I’ve coached a lot of players who’ve gone on to college and I think he can definitely play D-I football as an offensive tackle,” said Redell.
With that suggestion, Murphy said he feels like offense is where his future is.
“I’m a defensive end and an offensive tackle and I prefer defensive end,” said Murphy. “But a lot more schools like me as an offensive lineman.”
At 6-6, 250, Murphy said he’d like to put on some more weight for when he moves on to college, but what position he plays will determine how much weight he wants to put on.
“If I’m a defensive end in college, I want to get up to 265 but if I’m an offensive lineman, I want to get up to 275-280,” said Murphy.
This summer, Murphy plans to head back East for a camp.
“I know I’m definitely doing a camp at Boston College this summer,” said Murphy. “I didn’t really think a lot about Boston College until they started recruiting me but it’s a great college community with a good football program.”
Academically, Murphy has a 3.0 GPA and will take the SAT in May.