Rams offensive lineman Kyle Murphy hopes to prove doubters wrong

Offensive lineman Kyle Murphy is one of three URI Rams at the NFL Combine.

INDIANAPOLIS – Kyle Murphy always played with a chip on his shoulder. Prior to coming to the University of Rhode Island, the offensive lineman felt overlooked and underestimated. He said he aimed to prove everyone wrong every time he stepped on the field.

He's done more than that so far.

Murphy is one of three players (along with Aaron Parker and Isaiah Coulter) from URI at the 2020 NFL Combine. A Patriots fan, who grew up in Attleboro, Mass., Murphy hopes the chip on his shoulder will help him land in the NFL next season.

“I mean, it would just mean everything. It would just show all my hard work really paid off,” Murphy said. “And it just shows my work ethic and commitment that I've always had through high school because like I said, I always do

ubted a little bit. I didn't have many offers out of high school. And that's what I've just used as motivation. And that would just set my goals even higher.”

A standout at Attleboro High School, Murphy had four total scholarship offers to play college football – URI, University New Hampshire, Sacred Heart and Central Connecticut State. It didn't take him long to shine with the Rams.

Murphy played as a true freshman in 2016. By his sophomore season, he was starting at both left guard and right tackle. As a junior, in 2018, he was a CAA Football First Team All-Conference selection as a left tackle. This past season, he started at left tackle again and was named a captain. His performance was good enough to earn a Combine invitation, which has never happened for someone at URI.

Murphy said the NFL started to look like a realistic possibility after his junior season.

“I gained a lot of experience. I became a big leader on and off the field,” Murphy said. “And I mean, especially just my junior season I really I feel like I really shine then, and everything really just picked up from there.”

A lifelong Patriots fan, Murphy grew up 20 minutes from Gillette Stadium. He said he's often watched Patriots offensive linemen and admires starting right guard Shaq Mason.

“I mean, just you can always tell he has a chip on his shoulder,” Murphy said. “I feel like he got overlooked coming out of college. And, you know, that's what I always like to play with the chip on my shoulder because I felt like coming out of high school I was overlooked. I was always doubted, and you just always got to take that to the field.”

At URI, Murphy played every position on the offensive line. NFL coaches and scouts like his versatility, but he's expected to play guard or center at the next level. He said his goal at the Combine is to show he's one of the best athletes.

“I mean, to me, I just want to get an opportunity,” Murphy said. “It doesn't matter if I get drafted. I'm a free agent. I just want to show my talents, show my versatility and show that I just belong.”

mdaniels@providnecejournal.com

On Twitter: @MarkDanielsPJ