Colleges

USF's gem from Jersey

Jerome Murphy returns home to face Rutgers as a key player on special teams and defense.

By GREG AUMAN
Published October 16, 2007

Jerome Murphy, left, helps bring down West Virginia quarterback Jarrett Brown. Murphy had already knocked starting quarterback Pat White out of the game.
	[Brian Cassella | Times]

TAMPA - You don't get much from Jerome Murphy except for results.

Teammates and coaches say the sophomore defensive back from New Jersey is the silent type, quiet in the locker room and quieter in meetings. He declined multiple requests to be interviewed. But as USF's nickel back and primary kickoff returner, Murphy has made a loud statement as a role player in the No. 2 Bulls' 6-0 start.

"He's fearless," receiver Taurus Johnson said. "He doesn't care how big the player is or who it is, he just puts a helmet on them. He doesn't say much, stays to himself, but once we get on the field, he's a big player."

The 6-foot-1, 176-pound Murphy returns to his native New Jersey on Thursday as the Bulls face Rutgers on ESPN. On a roster where all but 10 players are from Florida, he has represented his home state proudly.

Cornerbacks coach Rich Rachel remembers waiting at the airport when Murphy was flying in from Elizabeth, N.J., for his official visit.

"I'd never met him. I don't know what I'm looking for, just knew it was a tall, skinny guy," said Rachel, who was defensive coordinator at Rutgers from 1990-95. "He gets off the plane with all this hair, these gold chains. I'm going, 'Yep, Jersey guy.'"

Rachel had gotten a recommendation from Murphy's high school defensive coordinator, Jamil Jackson. He compared him to safety Jay Bellamy, another New Jersey kid who is now in his 14th season in the NFL.

"We told Coach (Jim) Leavitt we were getting tape in from New Jersey. He said, 'Well, he better be good.'" Rachel said. "We let him watch it by himself. He came back and said, 'Have you guys watched this?' Let's check this guy out."

Murphy signed with the Bulls, redshirted in 2005 and played sparingly last season, totaling 20 tackles. He's already matched that total this fall as a nickel back, and he ranks third in the Big East with an average of 27 yards on kickoff returns.

"Murphy has tons of ability," safeties coach Troy Douglas said. "If he makes up his mind that he wants to, he can play on Sundays. His mistakes are all mental. He's a great kid, and he's got a lot of football left to play, if he'll just focus and learn."

In his first game returning kicks, Murphy was the unsung hero of USF's breakout win at then-No. 17 Auburn, returning a kickoff 59 yards to set up a tying field goal with two minutes to play, forcing overtime. Against West Virginia, when USF used its nickel package as a base defense, Murphy forced a fumble with one tackle and knocked star quarterback Pat White out of the game with another hit. The Bulls put his quickness to use as an outside rusher on kick-blocking units.

"He's done a great job. When he comes in, he brings the level of defense even higher," strongside linebacker Tyrone McKenzie said. "We're already flying around and making plays, but he doesn't take a step back, he just gets in there and is flying around with us."

Murphy has worked primarily at safety this year, but starting cornerbacks Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams are seniors, so Murphy is in position to become a starting corner and every-down player next season.

"I think he wants to let his actions on the field speak for him," Douglas said. "We've bounced him around, trying to find a place for him to play. He's so talented you've got to get him on the field."

[Last modified October 15, 2007, 23:09:16]