"Just to know that I'm going to play a game that I love at the next level is a dream come true," Murphy said. "I know a lot of work has to be done but it's just a blessing."
The senior quarterback signed a copy of his National Letter of Intent in a press conference held in the Wethersfield High School gym Wednesday. A large group of Murphy's classmates turned out to take in the momentous event, which Murphy said was the greatest moment of his life. As exciting as it was for Murphy, it was just as exciting for his parents, Peter and Vanessa.
"I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it, just how big it really is," Mrs. Murphy said. "I'm very proud of him. I'm very excited for him."
The signing was also a thrill for Wethersfield coach John Campanello, who has watched Murphy work his way into a top-notch recruit.
"It's off the charts," he said. "It doesn't get any better than this,"
However, just a few weeks ago, it didn't look like Murphy would be doing the Gator chomp on signing day. He had verbally committed to Temple when, out of nowhere, Florida offensive coordinator Steve Addazio contacted Murphy and asked him to visit the campus. Though it was a startling development - Mrs. Murphy said her initial reaction was "Oh my God" - Murphy and his family decided he absolutely had to check it out.
"We were committed to Temple and thought the recruiting process was over," said Mr. Murphy, who attended elementary school and middle schoold with Addazio in Farmington. "But obviously with a school like Florida that has so many things to offer - one of the best programs, a couple championships, Heisman [winners], the SEC, number one recruiting class coming in, coaches that are sending kids to the next level - of course you're going to listen."
Murphy listened and he said the minute he started talking football with Urban Meyer and the coaching staff, he knew Florida was the place for him. Fast forward to Tuesday and he was at JCPenney searching through the ties for an orange-and-blue one.
"He picked that out himself," Mrs. Murphy said. "He actually paid for that himself, also."
An orange-and-blue tie may be in Mr. Murphy's future as well. Though he has been a Notre Dame fan since childhood, he said he'll have to put his navy and gold gear on the back burner and pick up some more Florida gear. He already has a cap, which he wore at the signing.
"I'll learn the fight song and find some orange and blue," Mr. Murphy said.
Like most parents, Mr. and Mrs. Murphy are Tyler's number one fans. Despite the distance, Mrs. Murphy said she's already looking into traveling to as many of her son's home games - Florida's stadium is known as "The Swamp" - as possible.
"I'm excited to go encourage him and support him," she said.
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