Kansas State football: 15 best wide receivers in Wildcats history
By John Buhler
Greatest wide receivers in Kansas State football history: 13. Deon Murphy
Deon Murphy first came to the Wildcats program via the junior college route. Murphy landed in Manhattan during the heart of the Ron Prince era in 2007. Though he would only play two years at K-State, Murphy did enough as a receiver to crack this all-time list, coming in at No. 13.
Murphy was named Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year in 2007. He had 57 catches for 605 yards and five touchdowns, to go along with 15 carries for 83 yards and two additional trips to pay dirt as a runner. Murphy was also adept in the return game during his two-year stint with the Wildcats. He returned 26 punts for 454 yards and a touchdown during the 2007 NCAA season.
However, Kansas State would only go 5-7 that fall and would miss out on a bowl game for the third time in four seasons. With NFL Draft prospect Josh Freeman as his quarterback, Murphy was poised to do big things in 2008 for K-State.
He had 37 catches for 555 yards and six touchdowns as a receiver in what was his final year with the Kansas State program. Murphy had an additional six carries for 52 yards that fall. He also fielded 28 punts for 283 yards and a touchdown in 2008. Once again, Kansas State went 5-7 and the university parted ways with Prince at the end of the season.
With one more year of eligibility left, many thought that Murphy would end up being a huge part of the Wildcats offense upon Bill Snyder’s return to the program. However, Murphy would leave the team and then proceed to embark on a career in the CFL. He played for the Calgary Stampeders from 2009 to 2011 and then the Hamilton Tiger-Cats beginning in 2012.
In just two years with K-State, Murphy amassed 1,160 yards on 94 catches for 11 touchdowns. He returned 54 punts for 737 yards and two touchdowns. While his numbers won’t stand the test of time, being named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. The sheer promise he provided the Wildcats coming out of junior college is a good enough reason to have him on this all-time list.