The Grand Rapids (Mich.) Rampage of the Arena Football League announced the signing of Sioux Falls (S.D.) Storm defensive lineman Leif Murphy. The UIF All-Star played a critical role in the Storm defense that only allowed 24.4 points per game in 2007.
Murphy played a critical role in the Storm defense that only allowed 24.4 points per game in 2007. He finished second in the UIF in sacks by compiling 13 in the regular season. He also added 56.5 tackles and five blocked kicks on his way to being named a UIF All-Star.
Murphy was an All-UIF selection in both 2005 and 2006 as a member of the Omaha Beef defensive front. In 2005, he tallied 48.5 tackles and finished third in the league with 10 sacks. He continued to contribute in 2006 as he accounted for 43.5 tackles and led the team again in sacks with 9.5.
Murphy spent 2004 as a member of the Tri-City Diesel and was named the NIFL's Pacific Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He had 56 tackles and 14 sacks in leading the Diesel to an 11-4 record.
Murphy's first season of professional football was in 2003 when he played for the Ottawa Renegades of the Canadian Football League and the Bismarck Roughriders of the NIFL.
Murphy also had a storied college career while playing at North Dakota State University. He started all 11 games as a freshman in 1999. He compiled 36 tackles and four sacks for the Bison. Murphy added 40 tackles and four more sacks as a sophomore before breaking onto the national scene as a junior in 2001. He was named first-team All-American for his efforts in the 2001 campaign as he had 34 tackles and 11 sacks.
Murphy's senior season was marred by injury as he suffered a broken thumb and pulled his hamstring in the final half of the season. He was held to just 19 tackles and three sacks in 2002.
The AFL is considered the premier arena league in the country and is a stepping-stone to the NFL. The AFL has been in existence for 22 years and currently has 17 franchises.
(courtesy of James Bain, Director of Media and Public Relations Sioux Falls Storm)
