Recruiting files: Kevin Murphy

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A Q&A with the San Clemente offensive lineman, who has committed to Harvard.

Player: Kevin Murphy
School: San Clemente
Position: Offensive lineman

Committed to: Harvard

Trips he took: Stanford, Harvard

How was your trip to Stanford?
“You’re doing one thing after another after another. You really don’t get to absorb that much. We had the game vs. Oregon to go to. I didn’t feel like I could fit in there.

“The coaches were real enthusiastic, especially Coach (Jim) Harbaugh. And my recruiting coaches loved me. But they kind of told me to walk on, (that) I was one guy away from a scholarship. It was just a matter of circumstance because they could only offer a few linemen. You leave with that bad taste in your mouth and feel remorseful.”

Would you have committed there had they offered?
“Yeah, probably, at the time.”

How was your trip to Harvard?
“The student life at Harvard, it appealed more to me. Everyone thinks it’s just a stuck-up rich kids. It’s really not that at all. Everyone’s well rounded; they have the largest athletic program in the nation. I got to stay with a player host in the dorms. The only bad thing about it was the cold, but I got used to it. The coaches said I was top on their list. They really liked me. I liked the coaching staff too. I met a lot of the players and they seemed cool. The financial aid I got was good -- really, really good. So I decided to go there.”

What was it like to be recruited?
“It was kind of different for me. I’m Mr. 4-point (GPA) and above. It’s stressful, it’s definitely stressful. But once you start following your heart and seeing what’s right for you, it becomes a lot easier. I had a revelation midseason: I probably wasn’t playing as good as I (could have). After the Stanford visit I decided, I’m going to play a lot better than this. I don’t have to worry about this recruiting (stuff).”

Schools that offered him a scholarship:
Harvard, UC Davis, Idaho State, Colorado State

Schools that have shown interest in him:
Stanford, Northwestern, UCLA, Tennessee, San Diego State, UNLV, Hawaii, Boise State, Washington State

What is the strength of your commitment?
“Pretty solid. I even told the Stanford coach if they came back with an offer I’d probably (turn) them down.”

What could change your mind, if anything?
“I don’t know. I don’t think anything could. The analogy the coach made at Harvard, 'Once you get married you can’t see anyone else.' Once I committed, I’m committed. I thought about it a while and that was my choice. I played out all the scenarios in my head and decided Harvard was the best thing for me.

“It was midway through the season, I probably wasn’t playing that good and I had all these big schools looking at me. I wasn’t having fun with any of it. It got to the point that you’re not having fun with your team. I couldn’t concentrate. I think that Stanford visit changed me as a player. I played 300 percent better the rest of the season.”

Did any chools try to sway you from choosing Harvard?
“Stanford, big time. Basically, I cut everyone else off.”

Contact the writer: amaya@ocregister.com