Mason Murphy’s Strong Offseason Results in Impressive Start to Fall Camp

Offensive tackle Mason Murphy spent the 2022 football season bouncing from right tackle to left tackle and in and out of the starting lineup. He started five games and played relatively well for a redshirt freshman getting his first playing time. But there was a key area that needed immediate improvement. So Murphy spent this past offseason in the weight room.

It began with a conversation between Murphy and the coaches. There was one clear goal.

“Get as strong as possible as fast as possible,” Murphy said. “That was something that me and the coaches, everybody thought that was something that I needed to get better if I was going to be successful here. You can’t be weak. You have to be strong, you have to play with an edge.”

Murphy found that edge in the weight room and in the playbook this offseason. He said he put his head down and kept working. And he’s come out firing to start spring ball.

“A lot more confident,” Murphy said. “A lot more consistent. Playing with a chip on my shoulder.”

And he’s not the only one who’s seen it. Asked about players standing out this fall, quarterback Caleb Williams mentioned Murphy.

“He’s been doing a pretty damn good job, to be honest with you,” Williams said of his offensive tackle. “And it’s been fun to watch him and get out there with him.”

Williams also went straight to “comfort and confidence” when asked about the difference in Murphy.

“When you have those two things, when you get out there you get to be able to play a lot more freely,” Williams said. “And that’s what he’s been able to do.”

Competition at Right Tackle

Position coach Josh Henson sees it as well. He listed Murphy and Michael Tarquin as the two most improved linemen to this point in camp.

“Mason has improved a ton,” Henson said. “His consistency. You know, he had a great offseason in the weight room, has gotten a lot stronger. He’s anchoring way better now in pass rush. Man, he’s just getting really consistent with putting himself in good spots where he doesn’t lose fast…I’m real pleased with where Mason’s at.”

The fact that those are the two players listed by Henson provides an interesting twist to the right tackle position. Jonah Monheim started there most of the 2022 season and played there throughout spring ball. But Henson said last week Monheim would begin fall camp at left tackle, moving Tarquin to right. Now, it looks like there could be a real battle at that right tackle spot if Murphy continues to impress the rest of camp.

Murphy Building off Last Season

There were some ups and downs for Murphy on the field last season. But heading into 2023, every experience for him last year turns into a positive one because of the experience it provided.

“Those high-pressure situations, those gotta-have-these situations,” Murphy said. “You know, it’s like, not being nervous during those. Really slowing the game down for myself and my brain and just seeing the whole field instead of seeing one part.”

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