The college football world was shocked on Tuesday when the news broke that a current Division 1 offensive linemen had suddenly passed away.
Murphy was a redshirt junior who played his first season with Appalachian State in 2023. A transfer from Marshall, Murphy started all 14 games for Appalachian State at offensive tackle, according to his bio.
Murphy picked up several accolades during his college football career.
He was named Sun Belt third team from the league and first team from PF. The 6-foot-4 bruiser started all 14 games at offensive tackle for Appalachian State last season, starting the opener at left tackle and starting the final 13 games at right tackle.
During the regular season he ranked No. 2 among Sun Belt starting offensive tackles with a 71.5 overall grade from PFF, with a 73.5 run-blocking grade that was also No. 2 among starting Sun Belt tackles. He was emerging as one of the best players at his position in football, allowing just two sacks allowed in 455 pass-blocking snaps (fourth-lowest total among full-time tackles in the Sun Belt) during the regular season.
He played the season opener at left tackle before moving to right tackle for the remainder of the season. Appalachian State finished second in the SunBelt then defeated Miami (Ohio) in the Cure Bowl. Murphy earned All-Sun Belt third team honors for his play in 2023.
Condolences Pour Out From Appalachian State For College Football Player Jack Murphy’s Sudden Passing
A native of Fairfax, Virginia, Murphy spent three seasons at Marshall before joining the Mountaineers.
Head coach Shawn Clark posted the news of Murphy’s death on social media Tuesday. The university also released a statement.
“It is with deep sadness that we can confirm the death of Appalachian State University student John ’Jack’ Murphy on April 26,” the university’s statement reads. “The hearts of the App State community are with Jack’s loved ones during this very difficult time. We are respecting his family’s wishes and requests and are providing support and assistance as requested.”
The school did not announce a cause of death, but noted that foul play is not suspected.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jack Murphy,” Clark wrote on social media. “He was a beloved Mountaineer. Please keep his loved ones and our App State family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”xz
Murphy was rated as just a a three-star prospect out of Bishop O’Connell by 247Sports.com before spending a year as the left tackle at Fork Union Military Academy, but appeared to hit his stride when he began playing college football. He played on both sides of the ball in high school and earned first-team all-state honors as a senior.
“The hearts of the App State community are with Jack’s loved ones during this very difficult time,” Megan Hayes, senior associate vice chancellor, said in a statement to ESPN. “We are respecting his family’s wishes and requests and are providing support and assistance as requested.”
App State reports that counseling is available to students, including 24/7 staff available to help with urgent mental health concerns. For more information on services at the university, visit App State’s Counseling and Psychological Services website or App State’s Counseling for Faculty and Staff website.