Texas Or Transfer Portal: What Does Longhorns QB Maalik Murphy Do Following College Football Playoff?

Maalik Murphy could remain loyal to the Texas Longhorns, or elect to test his luck in the transfer portal following the conclusion of the College Football Playoff.

Quinn Ewers is the present of the Texas Longhorns' quarterback situation and Arch Manning seems pegged to be the future leading man in Austin. 

So, what does that mean for Maalik Murphy's time on the Forty Acres? 

Murphy, who chose to stick around for another season despite being courted by countless schools with NIL checks, must take a hard look in the mirror over the coming weeks. Even if he's committed to the Longhorns for the remainder of the 2023 season, it doesn't mean his time with the program isn't ending. 

Countless quarterbacks have been in his shoes before. Dozens of second-team passers are having the same thought process as reality sets in that moving up the depth chart might come at the cost of moving locations. 

Murphy is caught in a rock and a hard place. Ewers, who's eligible to enter April's draft, seems inclined to run it back with Steve Sarkisian in 2024 as Texas joins the SEC. Manning, the former No. 1 QB recruit of 2022, has no interest in relocating so long as Sarkisian is at the program's helm. 

If Ewers stays, he'll have to keep length on Manning from taking over as QB1 through fall camp. Should he put up similar — or perhaps better — numbers in the SEC, he'll probably garner first-round buzz heading into the 2025 offseason. And Manning will have two years of mental reps under his belt in Sarkisian's personnel, so the transition to start should come naturally. 

What? Do you think the physical reps won't come like second nature for the nephew of two Hall of Fame quarterbacks? 

Murphy is far from a perfect player, but there's upside. Oodles of untapped potential reside in the cannon attached to his shoulder, which he calls an arm. In glimpses, Longhorn nation saw what could have been if Ewers was sidelined for the remainder of the season after taking a blow against Houston. 

Against BYU, Murphy completed a season-high 64 percent of passes for two touchdowns. Against Kansas State, he led Texas to six scoring drives and connected with Adonai Mitchell for a 37-yard touchdown in the first quarter. 

Yes, Murphy also tossed three picks — one of which led to K-State mounting a comeback to send the game to overtime — but it's clear the kid has talent. Sarkisian has been paying attention. 

Texas Longhorns quarterback Maalik Murphy (6) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.  / Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

So have other coaches from the outside looking in, and they're waiting for Murphy to decide on his future before offering him a scholarship and potentially a decent chunk of NIL money. 

They also can offer Murphy something Sarkisian can't right now: sole first-team reps and a chance to lead a program. Murphy will only prove his value to those at the next level with reps, and those seem scarce in Austin. 

And no, it's not just for the time being. Fans are already waiting for the "Arch Era" to begin, so Murphy's days of holding the clipboard at DKR seem evident in his future. 

If he stays. 

Murphy likely won't leave like others before the Sugar Bowl showdown against No. 2 Washington. He's one bad hit against Ewers away from strapping up the helmet and entering the game. Even if Manning is the future, Sarkisian needs someone who's run the offense to his liking if Texas hopes to prolong its season an extra week for a road trip to Houston. 

Ewers' decision likely won't determine Murphy's status with the Horns. He'll have to come to terms on his own and make the call on what's best for his future. 

Sarkisian praised Murphy for his commitment to the program. He's been everything Texas could have asked for in a qualified QB2. 

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Maybe he will stick around to fight for QB1 in 2024. Perhaps he's why Texas fights through an SEC juggernaut schedule and makes a trip to Atlanta come next December. 

Then again, loyalty only gets one so far. Proven production sometimes gets one further.