The University of Kentucky football team snapped a 26-game losing streaking to Tennessee by beating the Volunteers 10-7
Academic All-District IV by the College Sports Information Directors of
America (2010)
SEC Academic Honor Roll (2008, 2009, 2010)
Begins preseason practice as the starter at right tackle ... Coaches were pleased with his performance in the spring as he concentrated on one position ... Has been extremely valuable during his career as the utility man of the offensive line ... Very intelligent player who can plug in at any of the guard or tackle positions ... Has appeared in 33 games, making nine starts ... Fine student who earned a place on the Academic All-District Team and went on the national ballot for Academic All-America.
2010 (Junior): Was a key part of a young but talented offensive line, playing
in every game this season ... Started six games, twice at right tackle, twice at
left guard and twice at left tackle ... Helped UK rank fourth in the SEC in total
offense and second in fewest quarterback sacks allowed.
2009 (Sophomore): Played in all 13 games, primarily on special teams.
2008 (Redshirt Freshman): Appeared in seven games, while earning three
starting assignments, two at left tackle and one at right tackle ... Was among
an offensive line that led the SEC and ranked fourth nationally in fewest
sacks allowed.
2007 (Freshman): Redshirted ... Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week in
preparation for the Vanderbilt game.
High School: One of the top-10 prospects in Kentucky by Rivals.com,
Scout.com, and SuperPrep ... Also All-South Region as named by PrepStar
... Three-year starter at offensive tackle and defensive tackle at Monroe
County HS in Tompkinsville, Ky. ... Helped lead Monroe County to the state
playoffs during his junior and senior seasons ... Team compiled singleseason
school record for total offense and averaged approximately 250
rushing yards per game ... On defense, he was second on the team in
tackles with 81 ... Honorable mention all-state as a senior by the Louisville
Courier-Journal ... Member of the "Kentucky Tremendous 26" by the state
high school coaches association ... Two-year selection on the All-Southern
Kentucky Conference team and the all-gridiron squad by the Sporting Times
... Three-year choice on the all-district team ... Played for the w inning
Kentucky squad in the Kentucky-Tennessee All-Star Game in June, 2007 ...
Coached by John Petett ... "Billy Joe is a great student-athlete, as good off
the field as he is on the field," Petett said. "His drive, determination, and
work ethic are awesome. He is very coachable and like having a coach on
the field." ... A five-year letterman on the basketball team ... District Player of
the Year as a senior and junior and honorable-mention all-state as a junior ...
Three-year pick on the all-district team ... Also played two years for the
baseball team ... Outstanding student with a 4.0 grade-point average ...
President of his school's chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes ...
Member of the Beta Club, Pep Club, and Future Farmers of America ...
Growing up a Kentucky fan, Billy Joe committed early, saying that it is a
"dream come true" to play for the Wildcats.
Personal: Born in Glasgow, Ky. ... Son of Joe and Lori Murphy ... Joe played
college basketball at Western Kentucky and St. Catharine's ... An uncle,
Brad, played college baseball at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tenn. ...
Major is kinesiology.
Community Cats: Participated in events with Read Across America and
Dixie Elementary School (2010).
