Longhorns' Byron Murphy II Ranked Among Nation's Best Returning D-Linemen

Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Byron Murphy II continues to grow into his mold on an improving defense.

Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Byron Murphy II was a key clog in the interior to a vastly improved defense this past season.

A Texas team that was expected to get into multiple shootouts due to a coach Steve Sarkisian-led offense and inconsistent defense instead had these roles flipped at multiple times throughout the season, as the defense ranked 30th in the country in fewest points allowed per game (21.2) and finished with the second-fewest yards allowed per game in the Big 12.

Murphy II wasn't necessarily the biggest name on a Texas defense featuring guys up front like DeMarvion Overshown, Jaylan Ford, and Barryn Sorrell. Still, Pro Football Focus ranks him as one of the 10-best returning players at his position for next season.

Murphy II comes in at No. 8 on the list of returning interior defensive linemen, and here's what PFF had to say:

Texas had the deepest interior defensive line in college football this past season, with four earning grades above 77.

Murphy is one of two who are returning, and his 83.9 run-defense grade in 2022 was a top-10 mark among Power Five interior defensive linemen. The sophomore was also 11th in the Power Five with a 14.8% pass-rush win rate.

Murphy II finished the season with just 24 total tackles and one sack. But with another year under his belt, he'll look to make a greater impact next season for coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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