Murphy is anxious to tackle a new challenge
AYER — In the fall of 2005, Jordan Murphy was an up-and-coming freshman athlete at Ayer High School. In the fall of 2010, he will be an up-and-coming athlete at Bethune-Cookman University. That journey was achieved through hard work, focus and dedication at three stops — Ayer High School, Dracut High School and Bridgton Academy.
Bethune-Cookman is a Division IAA college in Daytona Beach, Florida. it competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. it is in the process of upgrading its football schedule with games against Division 1 powerhouse University of Miami in 2011 and 2012, and the University of Central Florida in 2013. Jordan is happy to be on board the program as a freshman recruit with a full scholarship.
“Bethune-Cookman called coach Rick Marcello at Bridgton Academy and said it was looking for a tight end and coach Marcello recommended me,” said Jordan. “Bethune-Cookman called me and asked for film, and I put a highlight film on YouTube. They looked at it and I received another call. one of the assistant coaches flew to Logan Airport and I met him and he offered me a full scholarship.”
Bethune-Cookman had been running the triple option, which required no true tight end, but with new head coach Brian Jenkins on hand this season, a new offensive system had them looking for a tight end.
“The tight ends before were players who were switched from other positions,” said Jordan. “I may have an advantage because I am a true tight end and I think they liked my size.”
Jordan is 6-2, 245 pounds and he was a tight end-linebacker for two years at Dracut, and a tight end at Bridgton Academy.
After his sophomore season, Jordan transferred to Dracut where he played for head coach Pat Murphy, a former Ayer High School great, and Jordan’s uncle. Pat is a renowned offensive mind and had instituted a fan-pleasing, fun-to-watch, wide-open offense for the Middies.
“With the offense being so wide-open, I was able to get involved offensively,” said Jordan. “Playing at Dracut was really important and it provided an opportunity for colleges to see me. We played schools like Everett, St. John’s Prep and Brockton and we competed in high-level games. We won the Super Bowl when I was a senior when we beat Marshfield.”
After high school graduation, Jordan headed north to Bridgton Academy for an important developmental year. “The year at Bridgton was very important,” said Jordan. “I think it was a bridge between high school and college and allowed me to get used to being away from home.”
Jordan is excited about the direction in which Bethune-Cookman football is headed.
“They are looking to run a wide-open offense,” said Jordan. “I think my strengths are my blocking, my hands and that I am a big target. Bethune-Cookman is looking for a combination of blocking and pass catching and they told me they might even use me some in the slot. I need to work on my speed and to continue to get stronger, but it is exciting to be a part of a program that is growing and is also exciting to be in a new system that fits my talents. Playing Miami will help the program money-wise, for recruiting purposes, and will be helpful in gaining attention with the media. I visited the campus in May and I liked it a lot. I got to see the spring football game and I was able to meet the coaches, players and the other new recruits. it is right on Daytona Beach and I look forward to going to Florida.”
Was there any other school in contention?
“it boiled down to either Bethune-Cookman or St. Anselm’s,” said Jordan. “I made this choice because I wanted to play at the highest level. My goals are to graduate and to try to become All-Conference and All-American. I am very excited to get down there and I understand that the heat at training camp will be something different.
“I would like to thank my mom, dad and grandmother for all the support they have given me,” said Jordan. “I would also thank my uncle Pat for showing me the way to get to play college football.”
<a href="http://www.nashobapublishing.com/sports/ci_15767793tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.nashobapublishing.com/sports/ci_15767793Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:50:34 GMT 00:00″>Murphy is anxious to tackle a new challenge
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