Texas Tech graduate transfer Justin Murphy’s road to UCLA featured many twists and turns. A three-star offensive tackle from Belton, Texas, Murphy signed with Tech in 2014. He started four games at right guard as a redshirt freshman and then another four in 2015. After moving to tackle, Murphy played another four game chunk.
Then, injuries took over. He went through ACL surgery in 2015, came back healthy, but reinjured the same knee one year later. Murphy announced his retirement from college football in the middle of the 2016 season and sat out the entirety of 2017. In March 2018, however, he announced intentions to make a comeback.
After a year away, I am glad to say I feel I can compete again at high level.
Though I love Texas Tech and will be acquiring a business degree this May, I will be transfering to a new program to play next fall. I am excited for the new road ahead. #GraduateTransfer— Justin Murphy (@JMurphy_73) March 9, 2018
Murphy made the decision to come to Westwood final in April, adding much needed depth to the UCLA offensive line. The Bruins lost tackle Kolton Miller, offensive guard Najee Toran and center Scott Quessenberry to the NFL from 2017’s group. Four freshman (guards Chris Murray and Baraka Beckett, tackles Alec Anderson and Jon Gaines) have also entered the mix for reps on the line. Chip Kelly’s starting offensive line for the spring game featured tackle Andre James and guard Josh Wariboko-Alali on the left, centers Boss Tagaloa and Zach Sweeney in the middle, guard Michael Alves and tackle Jake Burton on the right.
Blake Atwell is a multimedia journalist and sophomore at Santa Monica College.