The Clemson Tigers have their first pick of the 2023 NFL Draft as Thursday night defensive end Myles Murphy was taken as the 28th pick overall by the Cincinnati Bengals.
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Murphy becomes the 72nd draft pick in the Dabo Swinney era and 16th first-rounder under Swinney. Both figures are second only to Alabama head coach Nick Saban dating to the 2009 draft.
Murphy, a native of Powder Springs, Ga., was a two-year starter for the Tigers after earning Freshman All-America honors in 2020. He was a first-team All-ACC selection in 2022 after earning second-team honors in 2021.
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Before bypassing Clemson's Orange Bowl appearance to begin preparation for the draft, Murphy closed his collegiate career with 139 tackles, 37 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks spanning 38 games (27 starts).
Said Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Adam Gorney Thursday night: "I love this pick by the Cincinnati Bengals because Murphy has always been a phenomenal talent, backed it up in high school, backed up his five-star ranking at Clemson and is now a first-round pick.
"This is a steal because Murphy is not only one of the best-looking prospects in this draft class but he was also highly productive at Clemson with 18.5 sacks and a bundle of quarterback pressures as well. Georgia and Auburn were battling hard for the five-star defensive end from Powder Springs (Ga.) Hillgrove but he chose Clemson and he had a phenomenal career. He’s more than worthy of a first-round pick. My grade: A."
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney on Murphy:
“On pure talent, I would probably name Myles with Gaines Adams as far as the combination of length, strength, athleticism, ability to bend, natural explosive power. He is really, really, really special. I think with another year he may have been the first pick in the draft. I think he has that type of talent. I mean, there's not many people walking the planet that have first overall pick type of talent, but Myles Murphy does. The Bengals are getting him at a value because he's still a developing player. He was at Clemson for three seasons — two-and-a-half years.
"He's an incredibly smart kid, loves football. His dad played pro football. He's been around it his whole life but his best football is still in front of him. I'm just really excited about seeing him take that next step. He's just a rare talent. A great kid, very smart and a very cerebral player. Incredibly strong and can fly, you know? You just don't see guys that can move like him and bend. He's going to be a great one.
"And the other thing about Myles a lot of people don't really talk about is he's durable. Rarely can I ever recall him missing a game or a practice for injury. He always practiced, he was always available, and I think that says a lot about who he is and how he takes care of his body."
A member of Clemson's No. 2-ranked 2020 recruiting class, Murphy was billed five stars by Rivals.com. The network tabbed Murphy fourth nationally overall regardless of position in 2020, No. 1 overall regardless of position in the state of Georgia and first overall among strongside end prospects.
Murphy was one of five five-star rated prospects in Clemson's 2020 class, joining (DL) Bryan Bresee, (RB) Demarkcus Bowman, (QB) D.J. Uiagalelei and (LB) Trenton Simpson.
Clemson has now had at least one player selected in the NFL Draft each year since 2003, the second-longest streak in program history.
AVAILABLE NOW: Pre order your Bryan Bresee and Myles Murphy NFL jerseys. (Will be shipped in 2-4 weeks after the player's number is officially confirmed by the NFL.)
*** BRESEE JERSEY
*** MURPHY JERSEY
