Former Free State High star running back Brian Murphy, who redshirted at Kansas University last season with twin brother Ryan, said Wednesday he is transferring to Emporia State.

“I just wanted to get more of an opportunity to be able to play, instead of sitting around for a couple of years before I’d get an opportunity,” said Brian Murphy, who was honored once last season as Scout Team Player of the Week.

He said he would leave for Emporia State after the Fourth of July and was told he would compete for playing time at running back, slot back, punt returner and kick returner. He said Ryan would remain at KU.

“It might be a little bit of an adjustment because we’ve never been apart, but it won’t be that bad because I’m not going that far away,” Brian said.

He said that he informed KU coach Mark Mangino of his decision to leave the program shortly after the end of the school year.

“He told me that if that’s what I wanted to do he would help me find a place where I would be a really good fit,” Brian Murphy said. “And he did. That’s how Emporia State found out about me.”

As a senior, third-year starter for 11-1 Free State, Brian Murphy rushed for 1,095 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2006.

¢ Brett Lisher, a former Free State High star football and baseball player who was one year ahead of the Murphy twins, is playing for the Topeka Golden Giants of the MINK League. After batting .364 in his sophomore season at Allen Community College, Lisher plans to play for KU next season as a walk-on.

¢ Sales for the recliner chairs that will be set up behind the South end zone of Memorial Stadium for KU football games have been brisk, thus far, according to associate athletic director Jim Marchiony. He said that as of Wednesday afternoon, 50 of the available 56 seats had been sold.