The Tennessee Titans added to their defensive line in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by selecting N.C. State defensive tackle, Larrell Murchison.
Here are three things to know about one of the team’s newest defenders.
Impressive production at N.C. State
After transferring from Louisberg, Murchison was highly productive in his two years with the Wolfpack. In 2018, he totaled 32 tackles (eight for loss), four sacks, one interception, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
In 2019, Murchison was even better, with 48 tackles (12 for loss), seven sacks, two passes defensed and two fumble recoveries. His sack total was more than any other returning Wolfpack defender.
For his efforts, Murchison took home two awards: the Cary Brewbaker Award for Defensive Lineman of the Year, and the Alpha Wolf Rising Award as the Most Improved Player.
Former team captain
Murchison, who actually has a twin brother, isn’t just a good football player, he’s also someone with great character who could become a leader for the Titans down the road.
Prior to transferring to N.C. State, the defensive lineman was voted team captain at Louisberg, where he also played running back, believe it or not. Murchison is very much a team-first guy.
However, Murchison’s football future was once in doubt, according to Sammy Batten of The Fayetteville Observer.
Less than a month ago, Larrell Murchison was wondering if he had a future in major college football.
Despite earning junior college All-American honorable mention at Louisburg this season, the East Bladen High graduate had no Football Bowl Subdivision scholarship offers with less than two months to go before national signing day.
Late in the process, Murchison finally started receiving offers from different programs and eventually settled on N.C. State — and the rest, as they say, is history.
From a team captain, to down and out, to the Wolfpack and then the NFL Draft, Murchison has had to work hard and overcome adversity to get to where he is today.
Great motor
One of the biggest positives you’ll hear about Murchison is he has a great motor and never takes plays off. It’s his effort that helps him make up for some of the negatives in his game.
That motor has also helped him become quite the pass-rusher, as evidenced by his 11 sacks in two seasons with N.C. State. Murchison owns an impressive spin move that helps him get to the quarterback.
He can move up and down the line for Tennessee, but projects to fit best in the role Jurrell Casey played last season at end.
