There’s now a path for one highly touted quarterback to eventually take the reins in Austin.
Quarterback Maalik Murphy, who backed up Texas starter Quinn Ewers this season, is transferring to Duke, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported.
Murphy, who was a four-star recruit, was part of the Longhorns’ recruiting class of 2022 and will retain three years of eligibility.
Thamel reported a formal commitment to Duke is expected soon.
The move means Texas lost its backup quarterback who recorded 477 passing yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.
But it also means Arch Manning — the team’s third-string quarterback this season — should move up in the depth chart.
Manning, the nephew of Peyton and Eli, already was slated to be the backup for Texas in the College Football Playoff when Murphy entered the transfer portal, but now, this potentially clears a path for him to start once Ewers likely leaves for the pro ranks.
“He’s more than capable of playing really good football for us,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said Friday, according to the Associated Press. “I think the opportunity that he had to play here against Tech showed what he’s capable of, and we’ll get him prepared to play.
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“I joked with him the other day, ‘You’re not really a freshman anymore. This is your sophomore year now.’”
As for the team Murphy is going to, that will be led by Manny Diaz, who was Penn State’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for each of the last two seasons.
The former Miami coach was hired as the Blue Devils’ new head coach on Dec. 7.
Diaz reportedly had a close relationship with his new quarterback since the latter was in middle school, according to 247Sports.
The former four-star also visited South Carolina and Oregon State while in the portal, ESPN reported.
As for the Longhorns, they will return to action as part of the playoff, where they’ll look to win their first national title since 2005.
Texas plays Washington on New Year’s Day in the Sugar Bowl, where the winner will face the victor between Michigan and Alabama.
