Goldsboro's Murphy signs with St. Augustine's

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on March 14, 2013 1:47 PM

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A chance to follow in his father's footsteps.

A familiar offense.

A campus close to home.

Goldsboro quarterback Julius Murphy is living proof that good things do come to those who wait.

Following a recruiting process that reminded Murphy of the value of patience, he recently signed a national-letter-of-intent with Division II Saint Augustine's University.

Despite throwing for 3,356 yards and 42 touchdowns in two years as a starter, Murphy was lightly recruited. Several schools that did express interest discussed the possibility of moving Murphy to receiver.

Saint Augustine's head coach Michael Costa eventually began to recruit Murphy. The allure of attending the same university his father did while playing in a pass-heavy, spread offense similar to what he ran his senior year were both enticing to Murphy.

"I never gave up," Murphy said. "I kept faith and kept working hard and praying. Eventually it came through. I've been going to Saint Augustine's since I was little and it felt like home like I was here at Goldsboro.

"They run a spread offense like we run here and the system is comfortable for me."

As a senior, Murphy thrived in first-year offensive coordinator Bennett Johnson's aerial attack. He threw for 2,103 yards with 29 touchdowns and just five interceptions and the Cougars finished 10-2.

Goldsboro won the Carolina 1-A Conference championship and reached the second round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A state playoffs.

Murphy was also selected to participate in the East-West All-Star game July 24 at A.J. Simeon Stadium in High Point.

"We knew coming out of Julius' junior year that we had to do something to showcase his talent," Cougars' head coach Eric Reid said. "Coach Johnson did a wonderful job of putting in our passing game and what Julius did in one year speaks volumes to what he has done in terms of working hard in the offseason."

St. Augustine's averaged 237.2 yards per game through the air in 2012 and tallied 22 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. Falcons' quarterback Teddy Bacote, the team's leading passer last season, returns for his senior year this fall.

The Falcons finished 6-4 in 2012, including a 4-3 mark in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. They open their 2013 season at N.C. Central on Sept. 7.

Murphy intends to major in Human Performance and Wellness with plans of pursuing a career as an athletic trainer and physical therapist.