You've probably seen the eye-popping numbers: a 4.47-second 40-yard dash, a 70-yard field goal, and a near-perfect 12-of-13 on field goals at his Pro Day. For UTSA kicker Jaffer Murphy, that sounds like a recipe for an NFL contract. Yet, weeks after the 2026 NFL Draft, he remains unsigned. Why?

Let's break it down. Murphy burst onto the scene as a relative unknown, turning heads at his Pro Day with athleticism rarely seen from a kicker. That 40-yard time would make some wide receivers jealous. But here's the catch: NFL teams aren't looking for a kicker who can outrun linebackers. They need someone who can split the uprights when the game is on the line.

Murphy's college résumé is thin—very thin. Despite all the buzz, he attempted just one field goal in his entire UTSA career. Yes, he made it. But one kick doesn't prove consistency, especially under the pressure of a game-winning situation. In scripted, no-defense Pro Day drills, Murphy looked like a star. But the NFL is a league of tape and track record, not just measurables.

Think of it this way: you wouldn't buy a jersey because a player runs fast if he's only caught one pass. The same logic applies here. Teams want a kicker who can nail 85% of his attempts from 40-plus yards, not one who can dash to the sideline. Until Murphy shows he can handle that workload, don't expect a contract offer—no matter how fast he runs.