One-Time Transfers Smith, Murphy, Bring Strong Work Ethic

Colorado seniors Jordan Murphy and Wyatt Tucker Smith took very different routes to Boulder, but their results since arriving have been very similar: their hard work, desire and belief in consistency have made them key members of the CU Buffaloes' special teams.

Murphy, a senior fullback, transferred to Colorado from Colorado State after his freshman year there. Smith, a senior long snapper, transferred to CU after two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

Since arriving in Boulder, Murphy has displayed a work ethic that immediately caught the eye of coaches. His determination was rewarded last season when CU coaches named him the recipient of the Bill McCartney Award for special teams excellence.

"Anytime you get associated with Coach McCartney, you're in pretty good company," CU special team's coordinator Toby Neinas said. "Murphy is one of the hardest working and selfless guys we've got. He started on the fringe of the depth chart, but when he got some playing time he took advantage. He just kept making play after play and really earned our trust as a great special teams player."

Murphy started his college career at CSU, where he played in eight games as a freshman. But a change in the coaching staff after the 2011 season eventually led to a decision to transfer.

"When CSU hired a new coach they told me that they weren't going to use my true position of fullback anymore and that they didn't think I was good enough to play at this level," said Murphy. "My dream was to play Division I football, and I had proved I can play and make a difference during my freshman year."

A native of Castle Rock, Colo., Murphy began to look at schools in Colorado where he could walk on.

"I had some family members who went to CU, and I had grown up watching the Buffs so this seemed like the place to give it another shot," he said. "I came to CU with one goal, and that was to get on the field and make plays. Special teams gave me that opportunity, so I made sure I took full advantage of that."

Murphy sat out the 2012 season due to NCAA transfer rules. During the 2013 season Murphy saw action in 10 games, including one start against Central Arkansas. By 2014, he had become a special teams mainstay and led the Buffs in special teams points, recording eight tackles — six of them unassisted and four inside the 20-yard line. He also recorded 16 knockdown blocks on kickoff returns.

Murphy has played in every game for the Buffs so far this season, as he continues to be a leader on special teams.

"It's been a long journey with a lot of ups and downs," said Murphy. "But it's good to be here at CU. No matter what it is, I just love being on the field and playing football."

As for Smith, his job is vitally important but often overlooked. Punts and field goals begin with the snap, and when performed correctly, it's a task that is usually not noticed. Only when something goes wrong do people want to know who snapped the ball.

"We try and go through our games without being noticed," said Smith. "The goal is to do my part to make sure the operation runs smoothly when the time comes for me to do my job."

When that time comes, Smith has delivered. Since transferring from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston, Miss., the coaches haven't had to worry about any mistakes with the snap.

"The long snapper is kind of an unsung role," said Neinas. "Tucker comes to practice ready to work every day. You don't get a lot of limelight at that position, so he plays a very selfless role for us. And I for one am glad that we have him here."

Smith didn't take the traditional route getting here to CU, but he didn't just walk in off the street without any experience. He played his first two seasons for one of the top junior college programs in the country. During his sophomore season he forced 25 fair catches, altered returns three different times, recorded two assisted tackles and had a fumble recovery.

"I played for a really successful junior college football program under head coach Steve Campbell," Smith said. "We were fortunate enough to win a lot of games while I was there and it opened up some recruiting paths for me. With the help of some offseason recruiting camps, coach Neinas was able to watch my film and get in touch with me. When I came here to CU on a recruiting visit, I looked out my window at the Flatirons and I knew this was the place for me."

Smith earned the job as the Buffs' long snapper in 2014 spring drills. Since then, he's been the snapper for punts and field goals, playing in all 12 games in 2014 and every game thus far this year.

Yes, Murphy and Smith took different routes getting to CU — but the common result has been making the most of every opportunity they have had.