Billy JoeMurphy

• Academic All-District IV by the College Sports Information Directors of America (2010)
• SEC Academic Honor Roll (2008, 2009, 2010)

Begins preseason practice as the starter at right tackle … Coaches were pleased with his performance in the spring as he concentrated on one position … Has been extremely valuable during his career as the utility man of the offensive line … Very intelligent player who can plug in at any of the guard or tackle positions … Has appeared in 33 games, making nine starts … Fine student who earned a place on the Academic All-District Team and went on the national ballot for Academic All-America.

2010 (Junior): Was a key part of a young but talented offensive line, playing in every game this season … Started six games, twice at right tackle, twice at left guard and twice at left tackle … Helped UK rank fourth in the SEC in total offense and second in fewest quarterback sacks allowed.

2009 (Sophomore): Played in all 13 games, primarily on special teams.

2008 (Redshirt Freshman): Appeared in seven games, while earning three starting assignments, two at left tackle and one at right tackle … Was among an offensive line that led the SEC and ranked fourth nationally in fewest sacks allowed.

2007 (Freshman): Redshirted … Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week in preparation for the Vanderbilt game.

High School: One of the top-10 prospects in Kentucky by Rivals.com, Scout.com, and SuperPrep … Also All-South Region as named by PrepStar … Three-year starter at offensive tackle and defensive tackle at Monroe County HS in Tompkinsville, Ky. … Helped lead Monroe County to the state playoffs during his junior and senior seasons … Team compiled singleseason school record for total offense and averaged approximately 250 rushing yards per game … On defense, he was second on the team in tackles with 81 … Honorable mention all-state as a senior by the Louisville Courier-Journal … Member of the “Kentucky Tremendous 26” by the state high school coaches association … Two-year selection on the All-Southern Kentucky Conference team and the all-gridiron squad by the Sporting Times … Three-year choice on the all-district team … Played for the w inning Kentucky squad in the Kentucky-Tennessee All-Star Game in June, 2007 … Coached by John Petett … “Billy Joe is a great student-athlete, as good off the field as he is on the field,” Petett said. “His drive, determination, and work ethic are awesome. He is very coachable and like having a coach on the field.” … A five-year letterman on the basketball team … District Player of the Year as a senior and junior and honorable-mention all-state as a junior … Three-year pick on the all-district team … Also played two years for the baseball team … Outstanding student with a 4.0 grade-point average … President of his school’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes … Member of the Beta Club, Pep Club, and Future Farmers of America … Growing up a Kentucky fan, Billy Joe committed early, saying that it is a “dream come true” to play for the Wildcats.

Personal: Born in Glasgow, Ky. … Son of Joe and Lori Murphy … Joe played college basketball at Western Kentucky and St. Catharine’s … An uncle, Brad, played college baseball at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tenn. … Major is kinesiology.

Community Cats: Participated in events with Read Across America and Dixie Elementary School (2010).