5-star QB Maalik Murphy commits to Texas

On Nov. 19 when top-ranked quarterback Quinn Ewers, a five-star talent out of Southlake Carroll, flipped his commitment from the Texas Longhorns to the Ohio State Buckeyes, it only added fuel to the fire for those calling for Tom Herman to be replaced in Austin.

Of course, Herman was replaced by former Washington and USC head coach and former Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who wasted little time filling the void Ewers left with yet another five-star quarterback — Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra product Maalik Murphy, who committed on his birthday.

Regarded as the nation’s No. 2 pro-style quarterback and as the No. 30 player nationally, per the 247Sports Composite, Murphy collected upwards of 30 offers from programs across the country, including other top potential suitors in UCLA, Oregon, as well as Alabama, Ohio State, Florida, LSU, Penn State, USC, and Texas A&M.

Despite the notable number of offers, though, a favorite hadn’t exactly emerged until Sarkisian, who was born in the Los Angeles area, arrived in Austin, bringing with him a reputation as an excellent offensive mind.

“Sark is from California, and it could be a great fit being able to play for a mastermind of offense,” Murphy recently told The Football Brainiacs.

Murphy plans on taking a visit to the Forty Acres for a self-guided tour on Monday.

In committing, Murphy unsurprisingly becomes the headliner of a 2022 class that also features a trio of four-star talents in Running back Jaydon Blue, receiver Armani Winfield, and cornerback Jaylon Guilbeau. If Murphy remains true to his pledge and ultimately signs with Texas, he’ll become the first five-star quarterback to do so since Garrett Gilbert in 2009, and though his film is a bit limited at this point, there’s good reason to believe he has a superstar ceiling if he develops well.

Analysis, Gerald Goodridge:

Maalik Murphy possesses all of the physical tools you want from a quarterback.

The 6’4.5, 225-pound signal caller has limited varsity game tape due to California shifting its football season to the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the game tape and camp film of Murphy shows off exactly what he can do.

Murphy has the ability to deliver the ball accurately at all three levels and throws the ball with anticipation of where the receiver will be at the completion of their route. He can fit the ball into tight windows, as well as place the ball along the sidelines accurately to receivers running out and comeback routes. He’s also flashed impressive arm strength, throwing the ball farther than 70 yards on film.

He possesses enough quickness to escape the pressure and deliver the ball accurately on the move, but he is also unafraid to step up in the pocket and has the body to absorb contact and still deliver the ball.

Murphy is a high-upside talent at the quarterback position and with the right development can become a game-changer for the Longhorns.