Jake Murphy talks Raiders, Travis Wilson and future of Utah football


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SALT LAKE CITY — Former University of Utah tight end Jake Murphy made the decision to forego his senior year with the Utes in hopes of making it to the NFL to fulfill a lifelong goal and provide for his wife and young daughter.

“It was a decision that was really hard for me and my family, and something that wasn’t basically an easy decision,” Murphy said.

With limited playing time his junior year as a result of a midseason injury, Murphy impressed NFL scouts in the offseason and moved into the discussion of possibly being selected somewhere after the fifth round. However, Murphy went through the tedious seven rounds of the draft without a team to call home.

Although he didn't hear his name called in any of the seven rounds, he quickly found a home with the Oakland Raiders — a home where former teammates Keith McGill, who was selected in the fourth round, and free agent Karl Williams were there ready to start a new chapter of their life with him.

"It’s like the perfect storm for us to be together," Williams said shortly after signing with Oakland. "It’s going to be an easier transition because I’m going to have people there that I know."

Murphy said he and Williams’ wives were friends while the two played at Utah, so the transition to Oakland was more natural than it would have been without former teammates.

“Our wives are friends, so anytime you feel that comfortable around a teammate going into a new situation, it helps a lot, because you can communicate with him,” Murphy said. “If you don’t really know anyone going into a new situation, sometimes you kinda keep your thoughts to yourself. It just helps a ton because I can communicate with Karl every night and study with him, prepare with him — do the same things we did at Utah, really.”


We're happy with where we're at and we're happy with the decision that I made, but every now and then I do think about how it would be fun to be back (at Utah). I'm also real grateful for the situation I'm in and real happy with where I'm at.

–Jake Murphy


While the decision to forego his senior season appears to be paying off so far, Murphy said he still thinks back to what it would have been like to play one more season at Utah.

“I think about it,” he said. “I’d be lying if I told you I never thought about it. I talk with family and friends about it still to this day — what could have been. But what I’ve learned is I can’t really dwell on that or dwell on my past decision because I’m in the situation that I am right now and I’ve got to make the most of it.

“We’re happy with where we’re at and we’re happy with the decision that I made, but every now and then I do think about how it would be fun to be back (at Utah),” he added. “I’m also real grateful for the situation I’m in and real happy with where I’m at.”

Now, a couple months after the draft, Murphy prepares for the upcoming season's fall camp, which begins Wednesday, where all his hard work and effort will be tested to make the 53-man roster. But with little feedback about his future from the Raiders' organization, Murphy says it's about performing his best and hoping his best is good enough to make the team.

"You just have to kinda go out there every day with a good attitude and not really worry about that," Murphy said. "Myself, I can kinda tell. If I’m grading out well and playing well, then I’m optimistic. The other way around, if I’m not doing too well, you kinda cross your fingers a little bit."

As a result, Murphy says he enters each practice as if it's game day, looking to prove his skills and his ability to play at the next level.

"It feels real similar to when I first got to Utah and was trying to prove myself and trying to make plays. Every practice felt like a game when I first got to Utah," he said. "And that’s kinda the feeling I get right now with the Raiders. I get those jitters before each practice, and prepare for each practice like it’s a game. You definitely feel that a lot, even more so now because it’s the next level; you want to be able to prove yourself and prove that you can stick on a team."

Although his future with the team is still unknown, Murphy has confidence he has a legitimate shot at making the final roster.

“The first step is to make the team and then the other goals that I have will come, hopefully,” he said.

Travis Wilson and his future

Last week, Utah football tweeted out a picture of the team doing some running drills at Sugar House Park, featuring junior quarterback Travis Wilson and senior safety Brian Blechen. The picture showed a bulked up version of the Wilson of past seasons.

“He’s one of the hardest workers on the team, and you can tell by the way he looks in that picture,” Murphy said of his former teammate. “I’m just real happy that he can play and that he’s back out there.”

Murphy said he talks with Wilson frequently and is confident the hard work Wilson has put forth in the offseason will become apparent in the upcoming season.

“Travis can be a top quarterback in the country. I think that he’ll be able to prove that this year, not to put pressure on him, but I think that he can do that,” he said.

As to Wilson’s injury and occasional struggles last season, Murphy said Wilson will never use it as an excuse.

“He could use that as an excuse, I used it as an excuse for him when I talked to people, but he’ll never say, ‘Oh, I was injured or my hand hurt or my head hurt.’ He’ll never make excuses,” Murphy said. “You can tell in that picture that he’s been working hard and has been keeping his mouth shut and just working because that’s all he does.”

Preview of Utah’s season

Coming off back-to-back losing seasons, Murphy said the team isn’t worried about what others say about the program.

“I’m sure they’re aware that we’ve struggled the last two years; that’s kinda obvious with what our record was,” he said. “But I don’t think they’re necessarily looking into what everyone is saying. I think they’re all just motivated by not making a bowl game.”

Murphy added that although senior receiver Dres Anderson is a “household name” and will have a great season, he sees tight end Westlee Tonga and defensive lineman Jason Fanaika having a breakout season.

"I think it was two years ago (Westlee) made an amazing one-handed touchdown catch against BYU," Murphy said. "That’s just a glimpse of what he can do. I think if Westlee stays healthy, he’s going to be a big impact player for the team, and I think he’s going to be a key on the offense."

Murphy added that Fanaika may be one of the best players on the defense.

"He was the hardest player to block on the scout team last year. I’ve talked to some guys up there now who think he may be the best player on the whole defense. I don’t know if that’s true because they’ve got so many great guys there, but I think Jason Fanika is going to come out of nowhere and really make a lot of plays for the defense."

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