’28 lineman is starting to develop
We talk a lot bout the “eye test.” There is a certain look a player is supposed to have in the game of football. Before you tell us 6’1,” 265-pounds ain’t the look, remember; we are fielding a team to play in the KHSAA, not the SEC. There has been a virtual myriad of superstar linemen in high school football who have all measured around six-feet and in the mid two-bills to higher on the scale. Joel Murrah is no different. This guy has some definite skills which recommend him for the Storm starting lineup.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
Morton’s Gap, KY: Joel Murrah is drastically improving and we can prove it. Last year, as a freshman, the KHSAA statistics claim he played in a single game. This year, he figures to start.
I used to coach the position. I am in the unique position to render assessments on linemen.
Generally, the only time we noticed an offensive lineman was when he screwed something royally. When he did his job,…crickets.
O-Line is the only position on the field which exists to heighten the performance of other players. If a running back has a great night, it is the OL who opened the holes and drove the DL off the ball. If a QB completes lots of throws, it is because the OL gave him plenty of time.
If a WR has a big game, the OL neutralized the pass pressure giving the QB time to find his downfield targets and get them the football. You see my point.
Murrah is a kid who is making strides. We believe him to be in the neighborhood of 6’1,” 265. Regardless of the neighborhood he inhabits physically, if you’re on the Storm’s ’25 schedule, he’s coming to your neighborhood and really soon.
Murrah looks a long way from being a finished product. Murrah is long-limbed, high waisted, with a long slender neck on top of narrow shoulders. These are admirable traits as it belies a long frame as opposed to the classic high school lineman broad shoulders, short arms, no neck, and barrel chest.
Murrah got a single game’s run in ’24; he figures to play a more prominent role in ’25
Friday Night Fletch
Now those of you coming out to Morton’s Gap in mid-August expecting to see the Murrah from a year ago will be pleasantly surprised. Murrah is less “baby-faced” than a year ago. Murrah’s looking more like a grown man these days.
Murrah has worked hard on his strength, power, explosiveness, and twitch. Murrah has been pretty quiet about it in the offseason, preferring to let his play do his talking.
We asked a member of the coaching staff about Murrah. He told KPGFootball, “Murrah is a real success story on the roster heading into 2025. Murrah has worked very hard and the results are physically impressive and noticeable. He will be a fine player for us.”
This coach had a little more to say about Murrah as a player. “Murrah is a smart kid from a wonderful family and a credit to our program.”
Guys like Joel Murrah are the backbone of any high school football program. The big, flashy, 6’4,” 300-pound guy comes along only so often.
The Murrah-types, at least physically, can be found most every year. These are the guys you have to develop into stars, next level guys.
As a coach, you will be judged by what you do with the Joel Murrahs. The early returns look favorable.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball and KPI Newspaper Group, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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