Jim Nagy compares Texas' Byron Murphy to Grady Jarrett

Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy might not get as much attention as fellow Longhorns defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat, but there’s no doubt that Murphy is also an excellent player.

Murphy has 8 tackles for loss this season, which is the same as Sweat, and Murphy has recorded 5 sacks, compared to 2 for Sweat.

Jim Nagy, who is the Executive Director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl, joined Andy Staples this week and shared what he has seen from Byron Murphy this season. Nagy believes that the combination of Murphy and Sweat at defensive tackle is as good as any combination in college football.

“That’s a big inside combo. I mean you could argue they’re the best interior defensive tackle duo in the country this year in college football,” Nagy said. “And what they are is they’re such a contrast in body types and play styles that you would not want to be a center or a guard playing against Texas. Because both of those guys give you something completely different to guard against.”

Nagy also shared his comparison for Byron Murphy, who is finishing up his junior season with the Longhorns. Nagy said that people around the league believe he’s similar to former Clemson star Grady Jarrett.

“A friend of mine in the league threw out the comparison for Byron Murphy of Grady Jarrett, who’s one of my favorite players I’ve ever scouted. Really was,” Jim Nagy said. “I mean I loved Grady Jarrett coming out of Clemson. And when he said that, I’m like, ‘Yep. I can see that.’ Just a really active, athletic, urgent player. Has some violence to him.”

Grady Jarrett was a first-team All-ACC selection at Clemson, prior to being a fifth round pick in the NFL draft.

He has gone on to out-produce his draft position, earning Pro Bowl honors twice and being named second-team All-Pro in 2019.

Jarrett was a little undersized coming out of college but has made up for that with his drive, determination and playmaking ability in the NFL.

Nagy expects Byron Murphy to perform well during the Senior Bowl leading up to the draft and to go on to have an excellent career in the NFL, just like Grady Jarrett.

“I mean, he’s going to tear it up Senior Bowl week,” Nagy said of Murphy. “This week is created for a guy that’s that disruptive and plays that hard. He’s going to get everyone’s attention during Senior Bowl week, for sure.”

Murphy and the Longhorns still have a chance to continue to impress this season as they will face Oklahoma State in the Big 12 championship game on Sunday.