Jacen Murphy

Wide Receiver – Senior

North Carolina Central

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?   

 

Jacen Murphy:  I am 5’10, 195 and 4.50 hand time. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?

 

Jacen Murphy:  I am still training at Premier Sports Academy with Terrance Copper. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  Tell me about your most recent Pro Day.   

 

Jacen Murphy:  I know that I could do a little better.  I feel that there is more that I could have done.  If I did 100 reps on the bench, I wish I had done 101.  It is the type of player I am.  I am not satisfied.  My broad was a 9’8, vert was 33.5 and the bench was 13.  I was most disappointed that I didn’t do position work.  Scouts got their times and left.  They were actually late to the pro day.  They came from NC State.  My agent and I are trying to get into a local day or maybe another pro day.  I definitely want to do position work.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you? 

 

Jacen Murphy:  Coming out of high school, I missed school my junior year.  But I had a good senior year.  I had a couple of offers.  I had a scholarship to Western Carolina and North Carolina A&T.  East Carolina offered me a preferred walk-on spot.   

 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose East Carolina?

 

Jacen Murphy:  My best friend DaQuan Barnes was at East Carolina.  A good friend of mine Trevon Brown also ended up going there.  I wanted to fulfill my dream to play at the biggest stage.  When I first got there, I suffered a right knee injury.  I was supposed to play as a true freshman.  I redshirted.  Next year, I didn’t get much playing time.  The following year, I was practicing well.  I was still lower on the depth chart than I should have been.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you transfer to JUCO?

 

Jacen Murphy:  I didn’t leave on bad terms.  I communicate with the coaching staff there.  I still have a great relationship with them.  It was time for me to play elsewhere.  I spent a semester at Copiah Lincoln community college.  The school is in Mississippi.  At the end of the season, I spoke with Murray State, Jacksonville State, North Carolina Central and Morgan State.  After signing day, I spoke to UAB. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at North Carolina Central?

 

Jacen Murphy:  The biggest thing for me was being close to home.  It is the biggest reason I went there.  I play a role in my family’s life.  I wanted my family to make it to my home games.  It was a good fit. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your overall career. 

 

Jacen Murphy:  Team wise, I had a great time at NC Central.  We won a conference championship my first year.  We played in the Celebration Bowl, which is the HBCU National Championship.  We lost by one point in that game.  We had a great coaching staff.  Coach Mack was my position coach.  I developed a great relationship with him.  I had an okay season my first year.  Next year, I had my best season.  I enjoyed my last season.  I led my team in receiving and receiving TD’s.  I was a leader to my teammates. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

 

Jacen Murphy:  The number one thing is my love for the game.  I give it everything I have in practice, drills and meetings.  I enjoy what I am doing.  I am a great football player.  I understand the game.  It is in my blood.  I am a strong receiver and a great blocker.  I have great hands.  I am a shorter receiver, and defense overlooks me initially.  But I play like a big receiver.  I have great vision.  I break tackles and fight for extra yards.  I can play in the backfield.  I was a wildcat QB and I played special teams.  I am up for anything. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon? 

 

Jacen Murphy:  I was focused on the combine stuff.  I wanted to run good times.  I focused on the bench press.  We went over everything with Terrance Copper.  He played 10 seasons in the NFL.  He taught me how to approach the game, not just football, but how to approach it mentally.  We ran different routes and a lot of speed work.  Terrance is a great trainer.  He gave us everything we needed. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point? 

 

Jacen Murphy:  The highlight of my career was my entire senior season.  I enjoyed the ups and the downs.  I didn’t have a storybook ending.  I enjoyed it from start to finish.  I was a great leader and teammate.  I went out there every game and every single practice and I enjoyed being there. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team? 

 

Jacen Murphy:  I love good football. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a WR? 

 

Jacen Murphy:  Being a sponge.  You are learning from the older guys.  You are taking in coaching and learning in the film room.  You learn and get better. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season? 

 

Jacen Murphy:  Definitely RB Isaiah Totten.  He is a strong and smart runner.  He is a student of the game and a great person.  He is a young guy who would only get better.  He was a freshman last year.  Davanta Reynolds is a ball-hawk.  He is everywhere.  He is always making plays.  You can’t miss him.  He will be a senior next year.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced during your career?

 

Jacen Murphy:  I have faced a lot of great players.  But my teammate Davanta Reynolds would have to be one of those players.  I battled him in practice, and we went at it every day.  I keep in touch with him.  We talk about life.  He is a very good player.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  Which NFL player would you compare your game to?

 

Jacen Murphy:  I play more like Steve Smith.  I am more like him.  I am a physical guy who makes plays with his hands.  I am on the shorter end, but I get the job done.  My height has never been an issue. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football? 

 

Jacen Murphy:  I love everything about it.  I like the entire process.  I understand and appreciate every step of the training process.  I love practice and lifting. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies? 

 

Jacen Murphy:  Football is my only hobby.  I am good at art and graphic design.  I will be around football when I am done playing. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over? 

 

Jacen Murphy:  For a long time, I wanted to open up a training facility for kids where they can come in and get better at their sport.  I want to mentor and help kids get recruited.  I want to do my part in the community.  I want to get kids equipment and raise money for them.  Terrance Copper is a huge influence on me.  He is definitely one of my role models.  I like how he carries himself and what he does in the community.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  Finish the sentence, Jacen Murphy is….

 

Jacen Murphy:  All about heart.  I have great love for people.  I am courageous and have the biggest heart in life.  I will always give it everything I have.