Four-star linebacker Shawn Murphy chooses the Alabama Crimson Tide

Manassas (Va.) Unity Reed linebacker Shawn Murphy picked the white hat with the Crimson A scroll on Sunday afternoon, committing to Alabama over Florida, Ohio State, LSU and Penn State. 

Murphy, the No. 2 football prospect coming out of the state of Virginia and No. 66 in the nation, joins Alabama’s 2022 recruiting class as the Tide’s 12th commitment. 

“I think Alabama is the best fit for me overall,” Murphy said after making his choice. “I think I’ll play there the best and the system they run will fit me the best. Coach Pete (Golding) is a wonderful coach, and he knows everything he needs to know.” 

Recruited by D-I programs since he was a freshman, Murphy’s been in the national spotlight for a long time. He’s earned 45 offers from programs coast to coast.

Luckily, one of Murphy’s last college trips before the pandemic dead period began in March of 2020 was to the University of Alabama. That visit left him with a positive impression that hasn’t faded away.

The four-star linebacker camped in front of Nick Saban and linebacker coaches Sal Sunseri and Pete Golding in June after the dead period, solidifying all parties’ interest in Murphy playing his college ball at Alabama. 

After a lot of hype leading up to the day, the Manassas native released a four-and-a-half-minute long commitment video on his Instagram, which has almost 10,000 followers.

Shawn Murphy is ‘Godzilla’

Head football coach Carroll Walker at Unity Reed affectionately refers to Shawn Murphy as “Godzilla.”

It’s easy to see why when you flip on his highlight tape.

At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, Murphy may not be big like Godzilla but he displays tremendous physicality, and he’ll destroy an offense with the ease of the giant lizard.

Murphy can play inside and outside linebacker, but will likely be inside for the Tide. His ability to squirt through the line of scrimmage to get to the ball carrier is elite.

Also, for 220 pounds, Murphy is light on his feet and he shows excellent change of direction and cutting ability. 

He’s consistently excelling against opponents from powerhouse recruiting states in national camp situations. The four-star outworks opponents and doesn’t take plays off. 

It’s hard to believe he has another year at the high school level to progress.

And Murphy makes six

Shawn Murphy’s commitment gives Alabama six pledges on the defensive side of the ball in the 2022 class.

The linebacker joins Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson defensive end Jeremiah Alexander, Columbia, Miss., defensive tackle Jaheim Oatis, Mobile (Ala.) Williamson linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr, Anniston, Ala., safety Antonio Kite and Lafayette (La.) Acadiana defensive end Walter Bob. 

Of the defensive commits, Murphy is the third-highest ranked behind Alexander at No. 18 and Oatis at No. 55.

Currently, the SEC recruiting rankings have Alabama in second behind LSU with two five-stars and nine four-star commits.