Connor Murphy

Connor Murphy poses during a visit to Eugene

(Courtesy of Connor Murphy)

The Oregon Ducks coaching staff is focused on the defensive side of the ball with two weeks to go until signing day, and one of its major targets is 6-foot-7, 250-pound defensive end Connor Murphy, out of Brophy Prep (Phoenix, Arizona).

Despite a recent visit from Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich and linebacker coach Don Pellum, Murphy expects another visit from the Ducks.

This time, however, he will be meeting new defensive coordinator Brady Hoke for the first time.

Hoke, who was officially hired this weekend, has built a reputation as a dynamic recruiter, and will be put to the test early, as the Ducks hope to close out five-star talents Caleb Kelly, Brandon Jones and Jonathan Kongbo, as well as four-star athletes Nigel Knott, Calvin Bundage, Keith Simms, Murphy and others.

For Murphy, the takeaway from his meeting with the former Michigan head coach could make a huge difference in his final decision.

So far, the phone conversations have been positive.

"I haven't even seen him yet. But he called me the other day," Murphy explained. "Sounds like he knew what he was talking about, and overall sounded like my kind of guy - blue collared hard-worker, just like me. I can't wait to get to sit down and chat with him on my in-home visit next week."

First, however, Murphy had a Tuesday meeting with Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who not only has a strong connection with the family, but also appears to have the inside track for landing the long outside edge rusher.

Oregon has a shot at landing Murphy, but it'll take a late push from Hoke, who would not only benefit by adding an elite prospect to his defense, but would also be sticking it to the program that let him go in 2014.

-- Andrew Nemec

anemec@oregonian.com

@AndrewNemec