2016 Phoenix (Ariz.) Brophy Prep defensive end Connor Murphy has been in contact with Michigan since the beginning of the Jim Harbaugh era and is now closing in on a decision. He hosted Harbaugh on an in-home sleepover last Thursday night and took his official visit to Ann Arbor this past weekend.
“The sleepover was definitely a crazy thing. Coach didn’t get over to my house until like 12:30 a.m. He drove with me in my truck to school, sat down with me in a couple of classes, and even edited one of my essays. And then later in the day he came back to my house and we had some lunch and played basketball together,” Murphy (6’7, 255-pounds) said in an interview with MGoFish following his official visit to Michigan on Monday.
After a successful sleepover and enjoyable visit to Ann Arbor, Murphy is ready to announce his decision on National Signing Day. His finalists are Michigan, Oregon, USC, Alabama, and Arizona State.
“The visit was great. I toured the campus and town, facilities, sat down with most of the coaches, listened to some academic presentations, and got to hang out with some of the guys,” Murphy said.
Harbaugh and staff made sure to let Murphy know he is a major target for them. They even let him know that early playing time would be in his future if he chooses Michigan.
“All the coaches I talked to really emphasized on how much they wanted me, how they have no one at my position with my size, and how I’d get early playing time there. The biggest thing coach Harbaugh said to me was that he didn’t want me, he needed me,” Murphy said.
Murphy was hosted by Chase Winovich and also spent some time with Jake Butt.
“I got along well with some of the fellow recruits and definitely hit it off with some of the players. My host was Chase (Winovich), the tight end and outside linebacker, and Jake Butt also took me under his wing,” Murphy added.
As for his decision, Murphy likes all of his final five schools. He will take his final official visit to Alabama this weekend before announcing on National Signing Day.
“I am signing on February 3. Michigan is in my top five and one of the favorites. I don’t know how I’m going to be able to decide,” Murphy said.
Photo Credit: Mark Jones/MaxPreps
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