The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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PREP PROFILES Michigan now has two former five- star running backs on the roster in USC transfer Ty Isaac and sophomore Derrick Green and several others vy- ing for playing time, but its coaches are still searching for more talent at the position. One offeree, Nixa, Mo., R 2 School's Alec Murphy, should let them know s o o n w h e t h e r or not he'll join them. A h a m s t r i n g injury prevented M u r p h y f r o m camping at Mich- igan in June, but it hasn't eliminated U-M from contention. The three-star said recently that the Wolverines are among his favorites and would have a shot even if he didn't make it to campus before pledging. Murphy is planning a late summer decision. "I talked to my coach and family and dwindled down the schools," Murphy said in late June. "My top would be Iowa, Mississippi State, Michigan and Purdue — no order, but those are the ones I'm considering as my top. "I'm just going to try to get it over with so I can focus on my season. That's the most important thing to me right now. I'm thinking I might decide in a month or two. That's ample time to decide and come to a right, mature decision." Murphy rushed for 846 yards, aver- aging 9.0 yards per carry, as a sopho- more, and he followed up with 1,200 yards and 23 touchdowns last season as the team's workhorse ball carrier when some of his running back teammates went down. He'll be called upon again this year to carry the load. "I'm really the only returning of- fensive player, so it's my job as a se- nior and a captain to really take the bull by the horns and start getting these guys prepared for the season," he said. The people, the campus, the feel and the interaction will be critical when it comes time to make his de- cision, but Murphy insists academ- ics tops the list. He's also adamant that he won't need to see Michigan to know it's right for him. "I can always research," Murphy said. "If I make it up to Purdue, that will be good enough. Michigan's coaches have explained everything, and it's known for a having a good program. I don't think I need to see it." Murphy is considering early gradu- ation to join the school of his choice for spring workouts. — Chris Balas Missouri Running Back Is Closing In On A Decision ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Nixa R 2 School Nixa, Mo. Class: 2015 Position: Running back Ht.: 6-0 • Wt.: 221 Ranking: Rivals.com's No. 7 player in Missouri and No. 31 running back na- tionally Alec Murphy