Alabama-Mississippi All-Stars: Can Vols flips Murphy from Bulldogs?
HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Marcus Murphy has been committed to Mississippi State for seven months. At the check-in for the Alabama vs. Mississippi All-Star game Monday afternoon he was decked out in Bulldog gear, but the last visit before he signs next week goes to Tennessee.
Could the Vols flip Murphy?
"I have had a Tennessee offer for a long time, but the re-offered me when coach Jeremy Pruitt got the job," said Murphy. "I have talked to the coaches there and I will be leaving from the All-Star game and going straight to Knoxville to take an official visit to Tennessee.
"Me and my mom want to see what it is like. i want to explore it and see what it is like. My interest in Tennessee does have something to do with coach Pruitt, but I like the program too.
"I am not worried about the past at Tennessee, but I am just looking at what is ahead for them. I want to get up there and give it a look because I know they have had a lot of great players and they have some good coaches now."
Over the last few days, Murphy has been in contact with Pruitt, Robert Gillespie and Terry Fair from Tennessee. During that same time, he has spent time in Starkville and gotten to know the new Mississippi State staff.
The star athlete out of West Point (Miss.) took his official visit to Mississippi State over the weekend and he feels good about the new coaches.
"I have met most of the coaches now and I like them. I like coach [Joe] Moorhead's personality because he wants to get to know his players. He is laid back, he is a cool guy and I have enjoyed getting to know him so far.
"I felt good around the coaches and I have had a few meetings with them, so it is cool. I am still committed to Mississippi State and I still feel good about that."
His commitment may not be as strong as it once was though. Murphy is an early enrollee, so he will sign next week, but Tennessee will have their shot.
"I am a little more open now than I was because of the coaching change, but I am still committed to Mississippi State," said Murphy. "I want to see if I feel comfortable at Tennessee. That is the biggest thing for me.
"I want to get to know people and just see if it is a great environment for me. I will make my final decision next week when I sign."
