Shawn Murphy LB Florida State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Shawn Murphy LB Florida State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.48 seconds (96%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.1 DOB: 10/15/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | |
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.48 seconds (96%*) | |
| Age: 21.1 DOB: 10/15/2003 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 56.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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49% |
| Pass Rush: |
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54% |
| Run Defense: |
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67% |
| Coverage: |
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47% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#546
Position rank:
#53
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| College Games: 8 College Snaps: 58 | ||
ESPN RATING: 87/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 94/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.0 (98%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jaylen Moody - Alabama |
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95% |
| Justin Rice - Utah State |
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72% |
| Hayes Maples - Southern Miss |
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72% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Shawn Murphy, a linebacker from Florida State, has taken a winding path to the NFL Draft. Originally from Manassas, Virginia, Murphy was a highly touted recruit, earning consensus four-star status and ranking as the country's top inside linebacker by ESPN in the class of 2022. His high school accolades include being named the 2021 Dick Butkus High School Linebacker of the Year and selection to both the Under-Armour All-America Game and All-American Bowl.Murphy's collegiate journey began at Alabama, where he appeared in 18 games over two seasons. His playing time was limited, primarily contributing on special teams due to the Crimson Tide's stacked linebacker corps. In 2022, Murphy recorded two tackles and one pass breakup while redshirting. The following year, he saw action in 13 games for the SEC champion Crimson Tide, notching two tackles.
Seeking more playing opportunities, Murphy transferred to Florida State for his redshirt sophomore season. At FSU, he aimed to showcase the skills that made him a top recruit and build on his limited experience at Alabama. Murphy's transition to the Seminoles' defense was closely watched, as he looked to establish himself as a key contributor in a new system.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Boasts elite downhill acceleration, consistently shooting gaps and disrupting plays behind the line of scrimmage
- Demonstrates exceptional play strength against the run, stacking and shedding blockers with impressive technique
- Possesses rare straight-line speed for the position, showcasing sideline-to-sideline range and pursuit ability
- Displays a violent strike zone as a tackler, delivering bone-jarring hits that set the tone for the defense
- Exhibits a hunter's mentality when diagnosing plays, quickly identifying and attacking the ball carrier
- Shows natural leverage when taking on blocks, consistently winning the pad level battle against offensive linemen
- Demonstrates high-level motor and competitiveness, never giving up on plays and always fighting to the whistle
- Brings valuable special teams experience, offering immediate contribution potential in the third phase of the game
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Limited collegiate production raises questions about his ability to translate physical tools into on-field impact
- Struggles in man coverage against backs and tight ends, lacking fluidity in his hips when flipping and running
- Underdeveloped pass rush repertoire, relying too heavily on athleticism rather than refined hand usage and counters
- Frame lacks ideal bulk for an inside linebacker, potentially leading to issues when taking on NFL-sized blockers
- Needs refinement in zone coverage awareness, occasionally losing track of receivers in his area of responsibility
Scouting Report: Summary
Murphy's tape screams "boom or bust" prospect, with tantalizing physical traits but limited production. His elite athleticism and run-stuffing prowess jump off the screen, but the lack of consistent game reps is a red flag. Teams will need to weigh his high school pedigree against his college résumé when projecting his NFL potential.Scheme fit will be paramount for Murphy's success at the next level. He profiles best as a WILL linebacker in a 4-3 system that allows him to play downhill and utilize his explosive first step. His ability to contribute on special teams from day one adds value, but he'll need significant development to become a three-down player in the pros.
While Murphy's collegiate career didn't match the hype coming out of high school, his raw tools make him an intriguing developmental prospect. His draft stock will hinge on how teams view his untapped potential versus his limited on-field production.
Written By:
Felix Green (ACC)
How other scouting services rate Shawn Murphy (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
531.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
54.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.