BREAKING: FSU Football Lands Alabama Football Linebacker Transfer Shawn Murphy
Florida State has consistently used the NCAA Transfer Portal as an avenue to boost its roster ever since head coach Mike Norvell arrived in Tallahassee. In fact, the Seminoles have added as many transfers as anybody in the country as the program has reeled in 10+ players from the portal in each of the last five recruiting cycles.
That includes in the 2024 class as FSU has gone on a flurry since the calendar turned to the new year. The Seminoles are creating some serious momentum and have benefitted from coaching changes around the country while the staff in Tallahassee stays intact.
On Monday evening, the run continued as former Alabama linebacker Shawn Murphy announced his commitment to Florida State. The decision came shortly after he entered the portal on Saturday. The Seminoles were the lone school that he visited in the process.
Murphy spent two years with the Crimson Tide before choosing to explore his options in the wake of Nick Saban's retirement. He appeared in 13 games this past season with the majority of his time coming on special teams. Murphy earned 11 snaps on special teams in Alabama's loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl. He finished the season with three total tackles.
During his time in Tuscaloosa, Murphy appeared in 18 games and totaled five tackles and one pass deflection. He was a top recruit in the 2022 class and even visited Florida State in June of 2021. Murphy committed to the Crimson Tide the following month. He recorded 113 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, six sacks, and two interceptions as a senior while being named an Under Armour All-American and the 2021 Butkus Award Winner.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker was regarded as the No. 72 overall prospect, the No. 6 LB, and the No. 2 recruit in the state of Virginia in the 2022 class according to 247Sports.
Florida State adds Murphy to a room that includes redshirt senior DJ Lundy, redshirt sophomore Omar Graham Jr., sophomore Blake Nichelson, sophomore Justin Cryer, redshirt freshman DeMarco Ward, true freshman Jayden Parrish, and true freshman Timir Hickman-Collins.
Murphy is the 14th transfer to join the Seminoles since December. The program has also added former Georgia defensive end Marvin Jones Jr, former Oregon State/Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, former LSU wide receiver Jalen Brown, former Alabama cornerback Earl Little Jr., former Colorado State defensive tackle Grady Kelly, former Indiana running back Jaylin Lucas, former Miami defensive back Davonte Brown, former Alabama wide receiver Malik Benson, former West Virginia defensive end Tomiwa Durojaiye, former Oregon State defensive end Sione Lolohea, former Alabama offensive lineman Terrence Ferguson II, former Alabama running back Roydell Williams, and former Florida offensive lineman Richie Leonard IV over the last few weeks.
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