Disappointment Thursday night turned to elation less than 24 hours later when the Arizona Cardinals opened the second round of the NFL draft by selecting cornerback Byron Murphy with the 33rd overall pick on Friday.
“I grew up watching the #AZCardinals.”#CardsDraft | @byronmurphy pic.twitter.com/jzgzrCx1YU
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 27, 2019
Long projected a first-round target, the former Saguaro High and University of Washington star was clearly shaken when his name wasn’t called in the opening round.
But, much like former #SagU teammate Christian Kirk, good things sometimes come to those who wait.
“I thought I was [going to go] first round but I know God had a plan for me,” Murphy said to Sports360AZ.com shortly after the selection. “I just stayed confident in myself. Also having my family here. They were here and happy for me.”
Probably the happiest of the group was Murphy’s mother who helped her son overcome the disappointment just hours earlier.
“I told him we live in faith, not fear,” Shannon Strickland explained. “God’s going to put him where he needs to be and where he’s supposed to be. I think he ended up right where that’s supposed to happen.”
Judging from the growing number of former Saguaro stars now playing for the Bird Gang, who’s to argue?
“I remember the day that Coach [Jason] Mohns brought him into the weightroom at Saguaro,” Sabercat alum and current Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk said with a smile. “He said, ‘hey this is our new transfer. I need you to take him under your wing and if you do and you show him the right way, he could be special.'”
Words can’t explain it, I’m proud of the player and man you’ve become. Can’t believe we’re teammates again, time to get to work and bring a championship back home! #SagU #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/oabUS0yL6b
— Christian Kirk (@ChristianDavon2) April 27, 2019
A high school All-American both on offense and defense, Murphy would spend two productive seasons at the University of Washington before arriving back to the desert to continue his football career.
“I’m proud of where he’s gone as a man and a father,” Mohns said of Murphy. “I’m so happy for him.”
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Eric Sorenson
A Valley native, Eric has had a passion for the Arizona sports scene since an early age. He has covered some of the biggest events including Super Bowls, national championships and the NBA and MLB playoffs in his near 20 years in local media.