Grayson Murphy Bio
Grayson Murphy is an American professional football linebacker born on October 13, 2000, in Dallas, Texas. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 250 pounds, Murphy built his reputation as a versatile defender through stops at the University of North Texas and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in May 2024, beginning his professional career in the National Football League (NFL).
Although his time on an active NFL roster has been brief, Murphy’s college production and athletic profile made him a notable name in the 2024 undrafted free agent class. His story reflects the path of a late-bloomer who developed his game at the Group of Five level before finishing his career in the Pac-12 Conference.
Early Life and Background
Grayson Murphy grew up in Dallas, Texas, and attended Bishop Lynch High School, a private Catholic school in the Dallas area. During his high school years, he developed the frame and athleticism that would later define his play as a defender, working toward a future in college football.
Coming out of Bishop Lynch, Murphy was not regarded as a top national recruit, but he drew interest from college programs looking for a developmental prospect. He eventually committed to the University of North Texas, a member of Conference USA at the time, where he would begin his transition from a high school athlete into a starting-caliber college defender.
Path to American Football
Murphy’s path to professional football began in earnest at North Texas, where he played as a linebacker and defensive end from 2019 to 2021. Across three seasons, he appeared in 25 games and made 14 starts, finishing his time with the Mean Green having recorded 57 tackles and 11.5 sacks. His work as an edge rusher gave NFL scouts reason to keep an eye on his development.
After the 2021 season, Murphy entered the transfer portal and joined the UCLA Bruins, moving up to the Power Five level. The decision allowed him to test himself against higher-level competition and to refine his game in a more prominent conference environment before declaring for the NFL.
Grayson Murphy Career
Early Career (2019–2021, North Texas)
At North Texas, Murphy carved out a role as a pass-rushing linebacker and edge defender. He contributed both as a situational player and as a starter, finishing his Mean Green tenure with 57 tackles and 11.5 sacks across 25 games. The production suggested a player whose best football was still ahead of him, prompting the transfer to a bigger stage.
His time in Denton laid the foundation for his later success. Playing in Conference USA provided Murphy with consistent snaps and the chance to face a variety of offensive schemes, an experience that helped prepare him for the step up in competition that awaited.
UCLA Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Murphy transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles ahead of the 2022 season and immediately became a starter for the Bruins. That year, he started all 13 games and recorded 27 tackles and five sacks, providing a steady presence on the edge of the UCLA defense. His ability to contribute right away helped him build confidence in a new conference.
In 2023, Murphy continued as a key piece of the Bruins’ defense, starting two games and finishing the season with 33 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Across his two seasons at UCLA, he produced 60 tackles and 10.5 sacks, capping a college career that saw him grow from a developing edge rusher into an NFL-caliber prospect.
Miami Dolphins Era (2024–2025)
Following the 2023 college season, Murphy declared for the NFL Draft but went undrafted. He signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024, beginning his professional career in the AFC East. The contract marked the realization of a long-held goal and gave him a chance to compete for a roster spot in South Florida.
Murphy was placed on injured reserve on August 12, 2024, cutting short his first training camp with the team. On August 26, 2025, he was waived by the Dolphins as part of the league’s final roster cuts, ending his time on the Miami roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Murphy is best known for his work as an edge rusher, using his length and motor to pressure opposing quarterbacks. At UCLA, he showed he could set the edge against the run while also producing sacks in obvious passing situations, a balance that appealed to NFL evaluators. His ability to play both linebacker and defensive end at the college level suggested scheme flexibility for professional teams.
Notable Events and Milestones
Murphy’s most notable professional milestone came on May 10, 2024, when he signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent. Reaching an NFL roster, even briefly, validated his college development at North Texas and UCLA. The August 2025 waiver, while a setback, marked the end of his first stint with the Dolphins and left open the possibility of future opportunities elsewhere in the league.
Grayson Murphy Career Wins
Grayson Murphy’s verifiable professional accomplishments center on his path to the NFL and his college production rather than championship trophies. At North Texas, he totaled 57 tackles and 11.5 sacks, and at UCLA he added 60 tackles and 10.5 sacks across two seasons. These numbers, rather than headline victories, define his resume as a young linebacker.
College Highlights
Across his college career, Murphy produced 117 tackles and 22 sacks in five seasons split between North Texas and UCLA. His best statistical season came at North Texas in 2021, when he set up his transfer with a strong pass-rushing year. At UCLA, his 2022 and 2023 campaigns showed he could handle a full starter’s workload in a Power Five conference.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the stat sheet, Murphy’s wins include earning starting roles at two different programs in two different conferences. His ability to contribute immediately at UCLA after transferring from North Texas stood as one of the more impressive adaptation stories of the 2022 college football season.
Grayson Murphy Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Murphy’s identical twin brother, Gabriel, played alongside him at both North Texas and UCLA, giving the brothers a rare shared path through the college ranks. The two were teammates for multiple seasons, an unusual experience at the high-major level of college football.
Personal Life
Gabriel Murphy currently plays in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings, continuing the family’s professional football presence. The twins’ journey from Bishop Lynch High School in Dallas to the NFL represents one of the more notable sibling stories in recent memory.
2025 Season Performance
Grayson Murphy’s 2025 NFL outlook began with the final weeks of the Miami Dolphins’ 2025 training camp. After being placed on injured reserve in August 2024, he returned to competition in 2025 looking to claim a roster spot in South Florida. His path was shaped less by statistics and more by the league’s typical summer battles for depth-chart positions.
On August 26, 2025, Murphy was waived by the Dolphins as part of the league’s final roster cuts, concluding his tenure with the organization. The move did not end his professional football hopes, as waiver-wire moves and practice squad opportunities remained possibilities heading into the regular season.
With his twin brother Gabriel established in Minnesota, the 2025 season still offered a chance for Grayson to land with another franchise. His college production, particularly his 22 career sacks, gave him a resume that could appeal to teams in need of edge-rushing depth as the season progressed.