AZ Stars Ready to Shine In Pacific Northwest

Saguaro High two-way star Byron Murphy will see a familiar face when he arrives on campus at the University of Washington this summer.

What many consider the state’s most coveted player will join duel-threat quarterback Daniel Bridge-Gadd who led Paradise Valley to the Division III Championship game back in late November before early-enrolling at UW this month.

Murphy, who picked the Huskies after being courted by ASU, Texas A&M, USC and a host of others said he doesn’t know Bridge-Gadd very well but is quite familiar with his skill set after scoring 64 total touchdowns and tallying close to 6,000 total yards last fall for the Trojans.

“He’s a great quarterback,” Murphy told Sports360AZ.com of his new teammate moments after selecting the Huskies last week. “I’ve seen him play a lot. [Washington] will be a great [school] for me and him.”

Murphy, who will play cornerback and possibly some offense in certain sets, said the two spoke when Saguaro played PV in basketball back on December 18th.

Bridge-Gadd didn’t “hard sell” Murphy but believes he will enjoy life on and off the field in the Pacific Northwest.

“I just sent him a message telling him about how great this whole place is,” Bridge-Gadd explained to Sports360AZ.com. “How much he would like it here.”

He knows the Huskies are getting one of the elite players in the country.

“He is an amazing athlete and shutdown corner with great hip,” said Bridge-Gadd. “He isn’t afraid of contact.”