National Football League

Washington CB Byron Murphy declares for NFL draft

Published Jan. 7, 2019 2:07 p.m. ET

SEATTLE (AP) — Washington cornerback Byron Murphy says he will leave school early and enter the NFL draft after being a first-team all-Pac-12 selection.

Murphy announced his decision on Monday. He received a second-round grade from the NFL College Advisory Committee in pre-draft evaluation and was expected to leave despite having just completed his redshirt sophomore season at Washington.

Murphy was part of a dynamic secondary as a shutdown cornerback, and his frame, at nearly 6-feet tall, will make him a coveted option in the NFL. Murphy was a second-team AP all-American this season and scored the lone touchdown of the Pac-12 championship game against Utah on a 66-yard interception return for a touchdown. He had 58 tackles and four interceptions this season.

Murphy is the second defensive back from Washington to declare for the draft, joining safety Taylor Rapp, who declared last week.