HARTFORD, Conn. _ Brett Quinion has been asked often this fall: Are you surprised?
The question is directed at Jimmy Murphy's success playing football for the University of Miami. Murphy, the 5-foot, 7-inch athlete who played for Quinion at Avon High from 2010-13, has had a surprising, or at the very least unpredictable and improbable journey from the small Connecticut town to one of college football's premier programs.
It involved a year at prep school, flights across the country to begging coaches for a shot, stops at both Wagner College and Central Connecticut, and an acceptance to a school that once rejected him. He's gone from walk-on to scholarship player, survived a coaching change and been named a captain. He's jumped out of an Uber, done flips on the field and gone viral online.
He's a self-described "psycho" on the field in the way he plays and off it in the way he attacks opportunities and challenges. There likely aren't many who have taken the same path as Murphy.
But, no. Quinion isn't the least bit surprised.
"People say all the time, are you amazed at what he achieved?" Quinion said. "And I say 'no, not really.' Because he applies himself and he's gifted. This may be just the beginning. I won't put anything beyond him."
