The loss of Maalik Murphy to Texas puts the Longhorns in a potentially dangerous situation.
Maalik Murphy spent as much time as possible there. Nothing would please him more than to wait it out with a clipboard in hand while observing from the sidelines of the Ceasers Superdome.
Football in college isn’t like that. Coaches aren’t giving scholarships to transfers who want to begin in the fall either.
After playing for the Texas Longhorns for two seasons, Murphy announced on Thursday night that he had registered on the transfer portal and would not be able to play in the College Football Playoff semifinal on January 1st against Washington, No. 2. Timing was the key factor, as evidenced by the 30-day transfer portal window that closed following the national championship.
“It’s not at all against Texas,” Murphy stated to ESPN on Wednesday. “I’m only doing this for myself and my future. I will always consider myself a Longhorn and a member of this outstanding group.
You can describe it as depressing, harsh, icy, or unsettling. Murphy never left even after obtaining everything. With a few more reps, he could either secure the starting job heading into summer, or stay around through spring and be late to the party at his next house.
The Longhorns now have to choose wisely in the event of an injury. Quinn Ewers needs to play eight more quarters to make this a moot point.
Say, however, that it doesn’t? Imagine that Texas loses Ewers once more, which would force Steve Sarkisian to look elsewhere. Would he summon Longhorn football’s future, Arch Manning?
Could he go to Charles Wright, who had only played in fewer than a dozen reps as a walk-on?
Murphy’s passing might remind people of 2009. Isn’t that the moment that everyone remembers? You know, where true freshman Garrett Gilbert took over as the team’s offensive coordinator after Colt McCoy left during the first quarter?
Ewers and McCoy have identical tones, right?
The Longhorns only need one more hit to bring Manning out and see what lies ahead. If he makes an impression, Texas will have two potentially strong starters as the SEC moves into a new era.
Is this Gilbert 2.0, if he falters? I mean, everyone knows how his time in Austin came to an end, right? If Alabama can defeat Michigan in California, it might even take place against the same team Gilbert faced.
Wright may be a member of the team, but Sarkisian uses him as a last option. Against Texas Tech, Manning took over and didn’t do much. Nevertheless, the more reps he gets, the better, as he is Texas’ future.
Murphy’s exit might also be a factor to consider in terms of depth come 2024. Ewers will wait until after the postseason to decide whether to declare for the NFL draft.
If Ewers goes back to the Forty Acres, Murphy’s departure only hurts in terms of losing a self. In the meantime, the Longhorns would have a front-runner for the Heisman Trophy and one of the most seasoned quarterbacks in college football.
The nation’s top recruit in the 2023 class, Manning, will report to spring practices in the event that Ewers leaves for his next chapter in life.
