Texas football loses QB Maalik Murphy to the transfer portal

According to a report from ESPN's Pete Thamel on the evening of Dec. 13, redshirt freshman Texas football quarterback Maalik Murphy intends to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. Murphy reportedly won't stay with the team for the College Football Playoff on Jan. 1.

"“It’s nothing against Texas at all. I’m doing this purely for me and my future. In my eyes, I’ll always be a Longhorn and a part of this great team.”"

This is big news for the Longhorns since Murphy was the backup quarterback this season behind redshirt sophomore Quinn Ewers. Murphy started two games and came in relief of Ewers in one after Texas's starting quarterback suffered a shoulder injury in a road game on Oct. 21 against the Houston Cougars.

Texas football QB Maalik Murphy intends to enter the transfer portal, won't be with the team for the College Football Playoff

Murphy led the Longhorns to a record of 2-0 in his two starts, which were at home on Oct. 28 against the BYU Cougars and at home on Nov. 4 against the No. 23 Kansas State Wildcats. Over seven total games played this season, Murphy registered 477 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and three interceptions.

It was a big deal when Murphy stuck around after spring ball with the Longhorns. Despite Texas bringing in Ewers via the transfer portal and the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the nation in the 2023 class in true freshman Arch Manning in the last couple of years, Murphy fought through this fall and eventually won the backup quarterback job.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian praised Murphy for the toughness and perseverance he displayed to win the backup quarterback job in camp and eventually led the Longhorns to a couple of wins this season as a starter.

"“He stayed because he wanted to be part of this team, and he wanted to make sure he had an opportunity to compete.""

Murphy spent the last two seasons at Texas. He has three years of eligibility remaining at his next destination out of the portal this coming offseason since he took a redshirt for the 2022 season.

Texas will turn to Arch Manning as the backup QB in the College Football Playoff

The era for Arch as Texas's backup quarterback begins for good during the Longhorns' College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 against the No. 2 Washington Huskies. Arch has taken live-game reps in two contests for the Longhorns this season.

He made his debut for the Longhorns in the regular season finale at home on Black Friday (Nov. 24) in a dominant 50-point win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Arch came in the game late in the third quarter when Texas was up big on Texas Tech.

Manning also got in the game late in garbage time for Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game on Dec. 2 against the No. 18 Oklahoma State Cowboys.