5-star QB Maalik Murphy set to visit Texas

Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra quarterback Maalik Murphy is expected to take a self-guided tour of the Forty Acres next week, according to reports from Horns247 and Orangebloods, as new head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns make a big move in his recruitment.

The dead period due to the coronavirus pandemic means that Murphy can’t meet with the coaching staff or tour the football facilities, but the planned visit is a significant step in 2022 quarterback recruiting for the Longhorns.

A consensus five-star prospect ranked as the No. 2 pro-style quarterback, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Murphy is one of the key targets for Sarkisian and quarterbacks coach AJ Milwee, along with Austin Westlake’s Cade Klubnik.

Thanks to the West Coast ties of Sarkisian, who was born in the Los Angeles area, the Longhorns are emerging as a top contender for Murphy — the only 247Sports Crystal Ball projection so far is in favor of Texas. Michigan, Oregon, and UCLA are other programs in the mix for the 6’4.5, 225-pounder.

With quarterbacks typically committing early to help serve as leaders in the recruiting class, the next several months will be crucial in the recruitments of Murphy and Klubnik. Whatever happens at the position sets the stage for the rest of the 2022 recruiting class, a critical group for Sarkisian after the disappointing 2021 cycle.