The pipeline – which is only a few miles long – continues between Kansas University football and Free State High.

A third Firebird is joining the KU football team, and he looks a lot like the second. Brian Murphy, running back and twin brother to KU commit Ryan Murphy, told Jayhawk coaches of his plans to play for Kansas in 2007.

Brian and Ryan had established their desire to play together past high school, and staying close to home would be a bonus.

Turns out, they got both.

“I feel pretty good about the opportunity,” Brian Murphy said. “It’s always been a dream for my brother and I.”

The Murphys join Christian Ballard, a heavily recruited tight end, in committing to coach Mark Mangino’s squad. The Firebird gang makes up three-fourths of KU’s current commitment list.

While Ryan Murphy will play wide receiver and perhaps cornerback in the future, Brian is being looked at as a running back – where he has started at Free State since his sophomore year.

“They’re really the only school that wanted me as a scat back,” said Murphy, who added that most schools were interested in putting him in the defensive secondary.

Murphy rushed for more than 1,000 yards for the 4-6 Firebirds last year, with his brother at quarterback and Ballard as a tight end and defensive lineman.

They all have one more season left at Free State – and many more just down the road.

“We’ve all been playing together since the seventh grade,” Brian Murphy said, “so we’re excited about the opportunity to keep going.”