BREAKING: FSU Football Lands Alabama Football Linebacker Transfer Shawn Murphy

Florida State has frequently used the NCAA Transfer Portal to strengthen its roster since head coach Mike Norvell arrived in Tallahassee. In fact, the Seminoles have added the most transfers in the country, with the program bringing in 10 or more players from the portal in each of the last five recruiting cycles.

That includes the 2024 class, as FSU has been on a roll since the calendar switched to the new year. The Seminoles are gaining momentum and have benefited from coaching changes across the country, while the staff in Tallahassee remains constant.

On Monday evening, former Alabama linebacker Shawn Murphy committed to Florida State. The decision came immediately after he logged into the portal on Saturday. The Seminoles were the only school he visited throughout the process.

Murphy spent two years with the Crimson Tide before deciding to explore his alternatives following Nick Saban’s retirement. He appeared in 13 games this season, spending the majority of his time on special teams. In Alabama’s Rose Bowl loss to Michigan, Murphy played 11 special teams snaps. He ended the season with three total tackles.

Murphy played 18 games for Tuscaloosa, recording five tackles and one pass deflection. He was a top recruit in the 2022 class, visiting Florida State in June 2021. Murphy committed to the Crimson Tide the next month. As a senior, he had 113 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, six sacks, and two interceptions, earning him an Under Armour All-American and the Butkus Award for 2021.

According to 247Sports, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker was ranked as the No. 72 overall talent, the No. 6 LB, and the No. 2 recruit in Virginia for the 2022 class.

Florida State adds Murphy to a room that features redshirt senior DJ Lundy, redshirt sophomore Omar Graham Jr., sophomore Blake Nichelson, sophomore Justin Cryer, redshirt freshman DeMarco Ward, true freshman Jayden Parrish, and true freshman Timir Hickman-Collins.

Murphy is the Seminoles’ 14th transfer since December. Former LSU wide receiver Jalen Brown, former Alabama cornerback Earl Little Jr., former Colorado State defensive tackle Grady Kelly, former Indiana running back Jaylin Lucas, former Miami defensive back Davonte Brown, former Alabama receiver Malik Benson, former West Virginia defensive end Tomiwa Durojaiye, and former Oregon State defensive end