Brendan Murphy Finds His Role

SEATTLE -- O’Dea (Seattle, WA.) 2023 ATH Brendan Murphy has developed into a star at a new position this year. While he’s been a threat since Pop Warner, the versatile captain seems to be rounding into a new form in his last season for the Fighting Irish.

Murphy has been flying around the gridiron for as long as he can remember, but he’s finally becoming the player he’s always dreamed of being. His high school career didn’t start with the stardom that he has now: “I was the third or fourth-string corner(back) on the freshman team, and then in a game we were losing by a lot they brought me in as a free safety. The next week I was starting.” B-Murph, as he’s been titled by his peers, was the free safety of an experienced Irish defense his junior year. That team made it to state quarterfinals before falling to Kennewick. Playing along talents such as ‘22 Mark Nabou (Texas A&M,) and ‘24 Kyan McDonald, Murphy wasn’t a star for that team, but had some mainstage moments including a game sealing interception versus archrival Seattle Prep. This year, he’s writing his own narrative.

In the gym, Brendan hasn’t missed a day of offseason training since 2019. He comes in on days many would skip supporting his brothers. “He has to work harder than anybody else... all the things you see now, is everything that he’s put in. The sacrifices, the time, the extra hours put in.” says O’Dea’s strength coach Paxton Paynter. That extra time has resulted in Murphy weighing in at 6’1, 220 pounds at present. He is a scary sight for opposing ball carriers in the middle of the field.

Coach Paynter has been with Murphy every step of his journey, watching him develop into the force he has become. He gained 54 pounds over his time at O’Dea. Those 54 pounds show in both his style of play and in the weight room, where he’s squatting 425 pounds and counting.

On the field, Murphy is in on nearly every tackle the Irish make, as the switch to middle linebacker is going exactly as planned. If you listen to the streams of O’Dea games, his name seems to echo every play on defense. Coach Monte Kohler, who’s held the reins for the Irish for the last 37 years, decided to make the positional switch due to Murphy’s new physique, his football smarts and field presence. “He was a good football player last year, and it’s not like he made any kind of big transition... he got stronger, and then made it important to himself,” Kohler said.

Murphy compares well to many physical mike linebackers. Watching him fly downhill and hit a back like a bag of bricks is one of the more fun aspects of this year’s team. B-Murph said “(I love) the physical nature of it, I was never a big fan of backpedaling, having to cover a guy. I wanted to be in the trenches more, be running at guys, be more of a hitter.”

The pieces of Murphy’s game that many never see include his leadership, both on the field and off. He always sings his teammates praises and is a leader because he shows up for his team every day. “He never missed a day of workouts. All of spring ball, summer workouts, he never missed a day. He showed up every day. That’s what leaders do,” said Coach Paynter. “He’s earned that right to lead this year, with what he’s done freshman, sophomore year... he listens... he works hard... he puts the team first which is easy for kids to respect. Makes it easy for him to be a leader,” added Kohler.

While in the classroom, Murphy has a 3.8 GPA and is receiving interest from Yale University, Montana State University, among others. He has yet to receive any offers, but the first is surely coming soon.