Steve Sarkisian Praises Maalik Murphy After Transfer Portal News
There’s not a good time to enter the transfer portal when you’re also on a team preparing for the College Football Playoff. But for Texas quarterback Maalik Murphy, he had to make the move sooner than later, and that’s what he decided on Wednesday.
But despite the unfortunate timing, which is no one’s fault, Murphy received high praise from Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, who spoke to FOX26 in Houston, saying, “Maalik’s been a great teammate. He’s been an awesome guy to have on our team. We wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for Maalik – you know, he won two football games for us. But also understand this day and age of college football, and that’s unfortunate, that he’s been put in that position to where he’s trying to look out for his future… and so, this kind of structure of how our seasons go throughout the year is not perfect and we’re all learning as we go… I love Maalik to death. He’s a great teammate and wish him nothing but the best of luck.”
Murphy said in a phone interview to ESPN on Wednesday that he will not be with the Longhorns in the College Football Playoff.
“I hate it, I hate it,” Murphy told ESPN. “I’m super invested in this team. Everything that we’ve done along the way and all the work we’ve put in together, it’s hard to walk away, especially at this point during the season.”
Murphy started two games for Texas this season, leading the team to home wins over BYU and Kansas State, when starter Quinn Ewers was out because of an injury. Murphy threw for 477 yards and three touchdowns.
Ewers is still considering a return to Texas in 2024, while Arch Manning just wrapped up his freshman season and is staying with the Longhorns as well.
Murphy will be immediately eligible and have three seasons of eligibility remaining.
