Matthew Ross is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Maryvale for AZPreps365.com 

Devin Murphy has been a breath of fresh air for the struggling Maryvale Panthers.  The co-captain plays on both sides of the football as a quarterback and defensive back as well as one of the star forwards on the basketball team.  

The Phoenix native is a two-sport phenom that gave the Panthers football team not only their first win in four years but three wins over 4A conference rivals. 

Although excelling in both sports Murphy knows the importance of education, although having a 2.5 grade point average Murphy is determined to take his talents to the collegiate level.  

“At first academics was not really that important to me, but as I grew and found out more I realized that football won't carry me all the way, so I have been picking it up," Murphy said.

Murphy wants to pursue both basketball and football to the collegiate level, but realizes that the amount of multisport athletes at Pac-12 colleges are a very special short list. Football is his true passion and if it came down to choosing he wants to pursue football all the way to the NFL. 

Murphy lives to compete. Being placed on both varsity squads as a freshman he is no stranger to competing against the best of the best.  

“I love to compete at the highest level,” Murphy said. “It is my passion to test my skills against the best, because I want to be the best.”

He drew the attention of coach Byron Traylor when playing against Sierra Linda. Although the Panthers lost the game Traylor who was the Sierra Linda coach at the time saw the competitiveness of Devin Murphy specifically playing cornerback.  

“I saw talent, I saw kids that were competitive,” Byron Traylor said. “Devin Murphy was one of those kids. I loved watching his matchup all night long against Stefon Daily.”

Traylor came into the Panther organization the following year and had an immediate impact on the young Murphy.

“He influenced me a lot, coming into the summer my sophomore year I wasn't on the right path with my teammates or academic wise.” Murphy said. “He helped me figure out a lot and pushed the importance of academics on me because he knows what it takes to get to the next level.”

Although sophomores are usually not selected to be captains for any varsity sport Murphy worked long hours in the off season to get on the same page as his coach and teammates.  

Murphy's commitment and determination to the game of football and basketball is recognized by his teammates.  

“His leadership on the football team has helped us achieve a lot as a unit this season.” teammate Serius Wilson said. “He uplifts us when we make a mistake and has a good heart. We all think he's a good teammate and happy to have him on the team.”

It is clear to see that Murphy has a high ceiling as he is so young for many of his accolades. Many within the Panther community are excited to see what will do next.