Redshirt freshman Justin Murphy made his first career start for Texas Tech last week at right guard and made the most of the opportunity.
Offensive line coach Lee Hays, not usually prone to exaggeration, said Murphy “played as hard as I’ve ever seen a guy play in 20 years.”
That’s saying something, given that for the last two or three years, left guard Alfredo Morales gets touted unanimously by Hays and linemates as the unit’s hardest-working player.
Murphy’s performance wasn’t perfect in the Red Raiders’ 59-20 win Saturday against Texas-El Paso. He committed two penalties. He got his shoulders turned trying to help other blockers when he needed to stay square.