The Texas Longhorns had an embarrassment of riches at quarterback in 2023, with Quinn Ewers, Arch Manning, and Maalik Murphy. Ewers was the top overall recruit in the 2022 class, and Manning was the top overall recruit in the 2023 class. Yet, when it came time to fill in for Ewers when the Texas QB suffered a shoulder injury against Houston, it was Murphy who started the next two games for the Longhorns, not Manning.
With Ewers expected to return for another season at Texas, Murphy has decided to enter the transfer portal instead of spending a third season largely on the sidelines after redshirting as a freshman. With three more seasons of eligibility remaining, the four-star recruit now becomes one of the most sought-after QBs in the transfer portal.
Here is a list of four possible fits for the rocket-armed 6-foot-5, 238-pound QB.
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Auburn Tigers pounce on Murphy
Hugh Freeze won’t be satisfied with another 6-6 season in 2024, so it’s no surprise to see the Auburn Tigers searching for a new QB via the transfer portal. After often looking overmatched against the likes of Texas A&M, Georgia, and Alabama, Payton Thorne likely won’t get another chance to enter the season as Auburn’s starting QB.
Murphy may be relatively inexperienced, with just two collegiate starts to his name, but the potential to develop into a high-scoring offensive attack with the big-arm QB is certainly there. At the very least, Murphy gives Auburn a QB with a higher ceiling than they currently have.
Washington Huskies land their Michael Penix replacement
It would be tough for anyone to try and replace Michael Penix at Washington, especially with the Huskies’ best pass-catchers, Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk, NFL-bound. Yet, Penix wasn’t a Heisman candidate from the very beginning either, and Murphy, at 19 years old, has plenty of time to develop.
Yet, in Washington, he’d be able to join a program that has already shown it can bring in talented recruits and put them in a position to thrive. Kalen DeBoer might be the X factor that helps Washington land their next potential NFL-caliber quarterback, and Murphy may be the right one for the job.
Florida State Seminoles end their QB search with Murphy
With Jordan Travis set to join the NFL, Mike Norvell will need a new QB to lead the Florida State Seminoles. After leading an undefeated record, one would think the ‘Noles would have no trouble landing a top QB recruit via the transfer portal. There’s talk of Cam Ward possibly joining FSU, but he’s also one of the most-wanted QBs in the portal.
If Ward ends up elsewhere, the Seminoles will have to have a contingency plan ready to go, and there may not be a better long-term option than Murphy. Sure, there may be early growing pains as Murphy gains more experience, but the possibility of building an exciting offense that can consistently beat teams downfield with Murphy’s arm talent may be too enticing to overlook.
UCLA Bruins land potential star QB after Dante Moore’s transfer
With former five-star recruit Dante Moore entering the transfer portal, the UCLA Bruins could be the top team Murphy has on his wish list. The Inglewood, California native was initially recruited by the Bruins coming out of Junipero Serra High but ultimately chose Texas instead when it appeared Ewers would have a short stay with the Longhorns. At the time of his commitment, Murphy looked like the future starting QB at Texas.
Then, roughly a year later, Arch Manning arrived, and everything changed. Now, Ewers and Manning are set to return, and Murphy wants to play immediately. This could send him right back to UCLA, where Chip Kelly would get a chance at molding the big QB into a legit NFL prospect.
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