LOS ANGELES — Grayson and Gabriel Murphy are twins, identical in just about every sense of the word.
They look alike. They are listed at the same height and same weight — 6-foot-3 and 262 pounds. They play the same position. And they’re trying to prove themselves at UCLA.
The defensive linemen arrived at Westwood in the spring, transferring after three years at North Texas, where they had developed into standout edge rushers.
“Making the transition from Group of Five to Power Five (schools), we always have a chip on our shoulder, to prove to people that we can do it at this level too,” Gabriel said.
If their combined stats last year — 15.5 sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss — are any indication, Pac-12 quarterbacks might have a pair of new nuisances to deal with. The Murphy twins looked good during spring camp, and are expected to play a big role in a defense looking to revamp itself under new defensive coordinator Bill McGovern.
“They’re smart. They’re both really aggressive — tough, hard-nosed, physical players,” UCLA coach Chip Kelly said during spring camp. “Exactly what we thought we saw when we watched them on film. Been really impressed with both those guys.”
UCLA won eight games last season behind an offense that led the Pac-12 by scoring 36.7 points a game. But its defense ranked near the bottom, ranking 74th in the nation by giving up 26.8 points a game.
The Murphys are here to change that.
“That was one of the main reasons we picked UCLA, because we knew they were going to have a high-powered offense,” Grayson said in the spring. “If we just control what we control on defense, we should be able to win a majority of games.”
The twins are among a bevy of talented transfers set to make an immediate impact this season, joining wide receivers Jake Bobo and TItus Mokiao-Atimalala, offensive tackle Raiqwon O’Neal, linebacker Darius Muasau and cornerback Azizi Hearn.
UCLA got the twins in a package deal. They wanted to stick together, and chose the Bruins over crosstown rival USC, Penn State and Nebraska following a home visit by outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Ikaika Malloe.
“(Malloe) is all about relationships, and we’ve got a great relationship with him,” Gabriel said. “Ever since he came to our house and met our family, everything translated over to the field.”
The twins said they expect to play multiple positions on the defensive line, as they did at North Texas. That was another factor in choosing UCLA.
“We’re just excited,” Grayson said. “That’s one of the reasons we came to UCLA is because of the versatility that they offered to us. We’re just ready to have that ball snapped on Saturdays and get ready for the fans to enjoy it.”
Aside from noticing Gabriel wearing No. 11 and Grayson wearing No. 12, the fans might need some time to tell the pair apart — especially if they’re taking turns sacking quarterbacks.
Two tips: Grayson has a small scar around his eyes, and Gabriel has a little darker shade of hair.
“There’s not too many,” Gabriel said of the differences between them. “We do a lot of similar things. Our whole lives we’ve been working out, we’ve been training together. If he’s working on one thing, I’m going to be working on it. If I’m working on one thing, he’s going to be working on it.”
It’s no surprise, then, that coaches addressing either Murphy when their jerseys are off don’t take any risks.
“They just call us ‘Murphy twin,’” Grayson said.
If all goes to plan, UCLA’s defensive line will feature a regular dose of double trouble — regardless of which Murphy is responsible.
Jake Eldridge, one of the top long snappers in the class of 2023 who committed to UCLA in June, has reopened his recruitment.
Eldridge, out of IMG Academy in Florida, said in a statement Sunday that he was decommitting from UCLA after speaking with his coaches and family.
“This was one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make,” Eldridge said.
I have decided to decommit from UCLA. Recruitment is 100% open. pic.twitter.com/wDIbZrwxqz
— Jake Eldridge (@JakeEldridge_) August 14, 2022
Eldridge thanked UCLA assistant special teams coordinator Bailey McElwain and “the rest of the UCLA football staff for the opportunity to continue my academic and athletic career there.”
Jack Landherr IV, the Bruins’ current long snapper, is entering his senior year. The other long snapper on the roster, redshirt sophomore Beau Gardner, has not yet appeared in a game.
UCLA’s receiver corps is expected to again be one of the team’s strengths this season even after the departures of Greg Dulcich and Kyle Philips to the NFL. Junior receiver Logan Loya, who is slated for more playing time this year in the slot along with Kazmeir Allen, had a prediction.
“I think people will be shocked at how good our receivers are this year,” he said, mentioning Bobo and Mokiao-Atimalala along with “all the new guys.”
Loya added: “We have a lot, and they’re going to make some plays this year.”
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