NATIONAL AWARDS
NJCAA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR • JEREMY FAULK
Murphy
NJCAA PLAYER OF THE YEAR • FRANK MURPHY
To say Jeremy Faulk came out of nowhere in 2015 may be the ultimate understatement. The Palatka, FL native was not heavily recruited out of Palatka High School. He had 71 tackles, three sacks and two fumbles his senior season, earning a spot in the Florida vs. Georgia All-Star Game. But it did little to attract Power-5 schools, so Faulk inked with Florida Atlantic, giving his commitment to then assistant coach Jeff Sims. “If I told you that Jeremy Faulk would be as good as he was in 2015, I’d be lying to you,” Sims said. “At Florida Atlantic, he couldn’t even get on the field. He just needed a chance.” He redshirted with the Owls in 2013; then was on the scout team a year later. That prompted a change in scenery for Faulk. And when Sims was let go after Carl Pelini was fired, the defensive lineman left the program. Then came November, 2014. Following a 3-8 campaign, Matt Miller was fired as Head Coach. A few weeks later, Sims was hired, setting up a reunion between a journeyman coach and an upstart defensive tackle. The marriage worked. And despite another 3-8 season, Faulk made the most of his opportunity. He recorded 10 or more tackles four times, including a season-high 13 vs. Air Force Prep and Iowa Western. In the Broncbusters week-nine upset of No. 1 Butler, Faulk registered eight tackles, 1.5 sacks and a pass breakup, closing the year with 87 stops, 17 for loss and three sacks. Once the season ended, Faulk signed with Baylor. But off-the-field issues that got Art Briles axed, had Faulk searching for another program. In August, 2016, Faulk returned to Garden City, spearheading one of the best defenses in Junior College history. He finished the year with 75 tackles and six sacks, pulverizing Hutchinson with 18 stops in week four, all while playing with a 102-degree fever. CAREER STATISTICS Year
Tackles
TFL
Sacks
Force fum
Fum Rec
Breakup
2015
87
18.5
3
2
2
3
2016
75
15
6
2
1
3
Totals
162
33.5
9
4
3
6
OPPORTUNITY USA
Frank
1997
2015
Jeremy Faulk
Frank Murphy’s path to Garden City was indeed a bumpy one. Growing up in Florida, Murphy signed as a wide receiver with Itawamba Community College in 1995. The following year, he transferred to Garden City and redshirted during the 1996 season. But in 1997, Murphy made a name for himself, becoming the most lethal weapon in the NJCAA. Murphy’s 15 carry, 212-yard performance during a 59-0 rout of Fort Scott in the season opener, definitely opened some eyes. A month later, his offensive antics were on full display, carrying 16 times for 225 yards and a touchdown in a 57-6 victory over rival Dodge City. It was all part of a resume that included six 100-yard rushing games. Murphy guided Garden City to the Jayhawk Conference Championship, which included a victory over Coffeyville in the Region VI title game, the same Red-Raven squad that had squashed the Broncbusters 41-13 a month earlier. The win propelled Garden City into their first-ever National Championship Game, falling to Trinity Valley 48-13. While the on-the-field accolades shined brightest, the final numbers are even more impressive considering what he was dealing with off-thefield. By season’s end, the sophomore tallied 1,370 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. He caught 17 balls for 266 yards and returned two kickoffs for scores; the most eye-popping of which came vs. Hutchinson, where he raced 88 yards to the end zone in a 26-2 humiliation of the Blue Dragons. His most impressive feat though came vs. Highland, scoring six touchdowns in the first half. As a side note, Murphy did all of that even though a hamstring injury sideline him for Garden City’s postseason opener vs. Dodge City. Murphy eventually signed with Kansas State where he was a reserve running back, totaling 257 yards and five touchdowns in 1998. In 1999, he was second on the team with 541 yards on the ground and six scores. The following April, Murphy was taken in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Drafty by the Chicago Bears. CAREER STATISTICS Year
Carries
Yards
TD’s
Rec YDS
Rec TD’s
KO TD
1997
210
1,370
20
266
4
2
Totals
210
1,370
20
266
4
2
2016 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
119
