Big 8 Player of the Month – October

Recipient: James Murillo

James has been a consistent starter and key leader for our team throughout the season. As our starting center back, he sets the tone defensively with his communication, organization, and composure under pressure. His leadership on the field ensures that our back line remains disciplined and connected in every phase of play.

Defensively, James excels in 1v1 situations, tackling, and reading the game. His awareness and positioning allow him to neutralize threats before they develop, while his aerial dominance has been instrumental in defending set pieces and long balls. Offensively, James has been equally impressive—his range of passing, from short combinations to long diagonal switches, has allowed us to build effectively from the back and transition smoothly into attack.

Beyond his technical and tactical contributions, James brings a commanding physical presence and a relentless work ethic that elevate those around him.  He is proudly earning a 3.8 as a business finance major and will be graduating in the spring. His consistency, leadership, and all-around defensive performance make him a deserving recipient of the Big 8 Player of the Month award for October.