Caleb Murphy Bio
Caleb Murphy (born December 15, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 254 pounds, he plays the position with a frame built for the physical demands of defensive football. He began his professional career as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and has since played for multiple NFL franchises before landing with the Giants.
Before turning professional, Murphy built one of the most decorated résumés in NCAA Division II history at Ferris State University, where he was part of two national championship teams. His college dominance earned him national defensive player of the year recognition and set him apart as a rare small-school prospect to make an impact in the NFL.
Early Life and Background
Caleb Murphy was born on December 15, 1999, in Dowagiac, Michigan, a small city in the southwestern part of the state. He grew up there and attended Dowagiac Union High School, where he developed into a multi-sport athlete. In addition to football, he was a member of the basketball, wrestling, baseball, and track and field teams, an athletic background that helped shape his combination of speed, strength, and competitive toughness.
As a high school junior, Murphy was named first team All-State in football after recording 86 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 15 sacks. He repeated as a first team All-State selection during his senior season, posting 97 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks. Those production numbers drew attention from college programs and set the stage for his move to the next level.
Path to Professional Football
Murphy began his college career at Grand Valley State University, where he redshirted his true freshman season. In 2019, he appeared in eight games and recorded 13 tackles and one sack, showing early flashes of the pass-rushing ability that would later define him. After his redshirt freshman year, he made the decision to transfer to Ferris State University in search of a stronger opportunity.
His first season at Ferris State was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited his on-field development but did not stop his rise. When competition resumed, Murphy emerged as one of the most dominant defensive players in all of college football, regardless of division. His combination of size, speed, and relentless pursuit of the quarterback made him a focal point of opposing game plans.
Caleb Murphy Career
Early Career at Grand Valley State (2018–2019)
Murphy joined the Grand Valley State Lakers in 2018 and used his first year to redshirt and adjust to the college game. In 2019, he played in eight contests and finished with 13 tackles and one sack. Although his statistical impact was modest, the experience gave him a foundation in technique and strength that he would later refine.
Following the 2019 season, Murphy entered the transfer portal and committed to Ferris State, a program on the rise in NCAA Division II. The move proved to be a turning point in his career, as it positioned him on a championship-contending roster and gave him a larger defensive role.
Ferris State Breakthrough (2020–2022)
Murphy’s first season at Ferris State was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he returned with a vengeance in 2021. That year, he was named the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Defensive Lineman of the Year and earned first team All-GLIAC honors after finishing with 63 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles. He helped lead the Bulldogs to the 2021 NCAA Division II Football Championship, the program’s first national title of his tenure.
As a senior in 2022, Murphy delivered one of the most dominant seasons by any defensive player in college football history. He set the NCAA single-season record with 25.5 sacks and tied the NCAA record with 39 tackles for loss while helping Ferris State repeat as Division II national champions. At the end of that season, he became the first non-FBS player to win the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the nation’s best defensive end. He also won the Gene Upshaw Award as the best lineman in NCAA Division II, the Cliff Harris Award as the nation’s best small college defensive player, and the GLIAC Player of the Year award, while repeating as a first team All-GLIAC selection.
Tennessee Titans Era (2023–2024)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Murphy was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2023. He spent his first professional season learning the speed and complexity of the NFL game while adjusting to a new role on the defensive side of the ball. Over the course of the 2023 and 2024 seasons, he appeared in five games for the Titans.
On October 26, 2024, the Titans waived Murphy as they reshaped their roster. His release came at a time when he was still searching for his first sustained opportunity in the league, but it quickly opened the door to his next chapter in the NFL.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024–2025)
On October 30, 2024, Murphy was signed to the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad, giving him a fresh opportunity to prove himself. He signed a reserve/future contract with Los Angeles on January 13, 2025, securing his place on the organization’s offseason roster. In six appearances for the Chargers, Murphy recorded half a sack and 12 combined tackles, showing the kind of disruptive play that had defined his college career.
On October 18, 2025, the Chargers waived Murphy as part of a roster adjustment. Despite the short tenure, his time in Los Angeles demonstrated that he could contribute on special teams and in pass-rushing situations at the professional level.
New England Patriots Era (2025)
On October 20, 2025, Murphy was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots, continuing his journey through multiple NFL franchises. He joined a defensive group looking to add depth and pass-rushing help, and he worked to carve out a role on the team’s special teams units and defensive line rotation.
His time in New England was brief, as the Patriots waived him on December 15, 2025. Even in a short stint, Murphy gained valuable experience within another NFL defensive system.
New York Giants Era (2025–Present)
On December 16, 2025, Murphy was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants, the team where he has since found a longer-term home. He joined a defense in need of experienced pass-rush depth and quickly began contributing to the team’s special teams and rotational defensive packages. On March 10, 2026, Murphy re-signed with the Giants, signaling the organization’s confidence in his role going forward.
Driving Style and Strengths
Caleb Murphy is known for his explosive first step off the line of scrimmage, his ability to bend around offensive tackles, and his relentless motor in pursuit of the quarterback. At 6 feet 3 inches tall and 254 pounds, he combines edge-rusher quickness with the frame to hold up against the run. His wrestling background gives him strong hand technique and leverage, while his track and field experience contributes to his closing speed in space.
Notable Events and Milestones
Murphy’s most defining milestone came in 2022, when he set the NCAA single-season sack record with 25.5 sacks and tied the record for tackles for loss with 39. He also became the first non-FBS player ever to win the Ted Hendricks Award, a recognition traditionally reserved for athletes from the top tier of college football. At the professional level, his move to the New York Giants and his subsequent re-signing in 2026 represent important moments of stability after several roster changes earlier in his NFL career.
Caleb Murphy Career Wins
Caleb Murphy’s most celebrated victories came during his time at Ferris State University, where he helped lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back NCAA Division II national championships in 2021 and 2022. He also earned a series of individual awards that cemented his place among the most accomplished defensive players in college football history.
Ferris State Highlights
Murphy was a central figure in Ferris State’s 2021 and 2022 NCAA Division II national championship runs. In 2021, his 14.5 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles powered the Bulldogs to the program’s championship win that season. The following year, his record-setting 25.5 sacks and 39 tackles for loss helped the team repeat as national champions, making him one of the most decorated players in program history.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his championship success, Murphy earned multiple individual awards at the conference and national levels, including the Ted Hendricks Award, Cliff Harris Award, Gene Upshaw Award, GLIAC Player of the Year, and GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year. In the NFL, his first sustained contributions came with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he recorded half a sack and 12 combined tackles in six appearances, and he has since continued his career with the New York Giants.
Caleb Murphy Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Caleb Murphy was raised in Dowagiac, Michigan, where he grew up in a community that valued multi-sport participation. He attended Dowagiac Union High School and was a member of the football, basketball, wrestling, baseball, and track and field teams, reflecting a family and community environment that encouraged athletic development across multiple disciplines.
Personal Life
Murphy is a United States national who has built his professional life around football, moving between several NFL cities since 2023. He currently plays for the New York Giants, where he re-signed in March 2026 to continue his role with the team’s defense and special teams units.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of transition for Caleb Murphy, who moved through three different NFL organizations in a single calendar year. He began the year with the Los Angeles Chargers on a reserve/future contract before being waived in mid-October. He was quickly claimed by the New England Patriots, where he spent several weeks before being waived on December 15, 2025.
On December 16, 2025, Murphy was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants, giving him a fresh opportunity to finish the season on an active roster. His experience across multiple defensive schemes in 2025 allowed him to add versatility to his professional profile, particularly in pass-rushing and special teams roles.
As of the 2025 season, Murphy’s NFL career totals included 19 combined tackles and 0.5 sacks, numbers that reflect his role as a rotational and special teams contributor. With his re-signing in March 2026, his outlook with the New York Giants points toward expanded responsibility and a chance to grow into a larger role on the team’s defense.
