Steve Sarkisian Reveals Thoughts on Maalik Murphy's Transfer Decision

Steve Sarkisian is thankful for what Maalik Murphy did for the Texas Longhorns in 2023

AUSTIN, TX -- The Texas Longhorns would not be in the College Football Playoff without Maalik Murphy. That is an indisputable fact.

When star quarterback Quinn Ewers went down with a shoulder injury against the Houston Cougars in October, Murphy held the line and led the Horns to a close win.

Over the following two weeks, Murphy led the Longhorns to a 2-0 record, including a clutch overtime win over the then No. 23 ranked Kansas State Wildcats.

But now, with the Horns one win away from having a chance at their first national title since 2005, Murphy elected to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.

And Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian could not be more grateful to Murphy for what he was able to do over that three-game span. 

“That stuff is always difficult but Maalik has been an awesome teammate and a great guy to be around," Sarkisian told KRIV Fox 26 in Houston. "We wouldn’t be in the position that we’re in without him.”

Maalik Murphy / Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

While many Longhorns fans will be sad to see Murphy go, it was without a doubt the right decision for the redshirt freshman, who will have just one week to find his new team before the Early Signing Period.

And if Murphy wants to get into his new program and have a chance to start next season - wherever that may be - he has to have his decision made by Dec. 20 or very shortly thereafter, so he can enroll and take part in spring football.

As a result of that timing, Murphy will not be joining the Longhorns in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl - something that Steve Sarkisian totally understands. 

“In this day and age, you have to understand college football and it’s unfortunate that he’s been put in this position where he’s trying to look out for his future, but he was part of a team that’s competing for a national championship," Sarkisian said. "This structure of how our seasons go isn’t perfect and we’re all learning as we go with the transfer portal and the playoff and how we manage that for the future, but I love Maalik to death and wish him nothing but the best of luck.”

Texas QB Maalik Murphy Entering Transfer Portal

So why did Murphy elect to move on? To put it simply, the path to him becoming the No. 1 starter in Austin was getting rockier and rockier by the week. 

Not because he wasn't good enough, or equipped enough to lead Texas into the SEC, but because Quinn Ewers seems poised to return in 2024, meaning Muprhy would have had to wait a whole additional year before getting his shot. 

Not only that, but the No. 1 overall player in the 2023 class, Arch Manning, was hot on his heels. In other words, there was no guarantee the job would be his after Ewers exits anyway.

Now, Murphy will have three years of eligibility left at his next stop, and he will have every chance to succeed and become a star.

There are also plenty of other power conference programs - such as Florida State, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, USC, UCLA, Miami, and Mississippi State - that would certainly be in the market for QB with Murphy's talent. 

In other words, Murphy will likely have his pick of the litter when it comes to his next team.

And given his short but impressive resumè, that should be no surprise.

Report: Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers 'Likely' To Return For 2024 Season