DeSoto High School Alum Byron Murphy II was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft Thursday night.
Murphy II, a product of DeSoto, played defensive tackle for the University of Texas at Austin and made a considerable impact during his time with the Longhorns.
The 300-pound lineman led the country in pressure rate among defensive tackles at 12.7% last season.
He also contributed 5.0 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in 14 games and had a breakthrough season in 2023 that included garnering first-team all Big 12 honors.
Going into the college football playoffs, Murphy II had the highest quarterback pressure rate for a defensive tackle in the FBS.
The decision by the Seahawks to add Murphey II boasts their defense as Seattle, for the past two seasons, allowed the most rushing yards in the NFL.
DeSoto High School continues to maintain its reputation for producing both exceptional athletic talent and academic achievement.
Led by Coach of the Year Claude Mathis, DeSoto High School remains atop the Texas high school football world, making an emphatic statement, winning its second consecutive state title, defeating Summer Creek 74-14.