The FBS all-time leader in forced fumbles, Murdock is an old-school, two-down thumper whose ball-disruption skills are legitimately elite and technique-driven — not a product of circumstance. He reads run fits quickly, fills gaps with physicality, and finishes tackles with violence, but his athletic limitations are severe: bottom-tier change of direction, heavy feet, tight hips, and near-zero range in coverage will keep him off the field on passing downs at the NFL level. The disconnect between his astronomical college production and his limited physical tools is the central question of this evaluation — Murdock will make a roster because his motor, leadership, and special teams upside are undeniable, but projecting him beyond a rotational early-down defender requires a leap of faith his tape doesn't fully support.
- NCAA record-holder with 17 career forced fumbles — a technique-based, repeatable skill rooted in punch timing and tackling fundamentals
- Elite PFF run-defense grade (91.3) validates his ability to diagnose plays quickly and fill gaps with physicality against the run
- Relentless motor and competitive toughness; never takes plays off, even late in halves when production typically drops
- Disciplined zone defender who walls off routes and maintains assignment integrity without freelancing
- High-character leader with exceptional football IQ — studies Luke Kuechly film, communicates well, and processes at the second level
- Bottom-tier athleticism for the linebacker position: labored change of direction, heavy feet, tight hips, and limited long speed severely cap NFL upside
- Virtually non-existent in man coverage — will be targeted by NFL offenses with receiving backs on wheel routes and TEs working vertically
- Steps into contact too lightly despite 'thumper' label; gets knocked off balance and pinned down between the tackles against quality competition
- Pass-rush technique is effort-and-power dependent with no counter moves or hand technique to consistently beat NFL-caliber blockers
Similar body type, physical style, and athletic limitations. Both are highly productive MAC linebackers who win with instincts and effort rather than tools. Jewell carved out a starting role in Denver despite mediocre testing, which is the ceiling path for Murdock.