In a stunning development that will shake up the Pac-12, former elite quarterback recruit Maalik Murphy is transferring from Duke to Oregon State. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound signal caller, who was originally a top prospect in the class of 2022, will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Beavers.
Murphy enjoyed a breakout redshirt sophomore campaign at Duke in 2024, throwing for 2,933 yards and a school-record 26 touchdowns while leading the Blue Devils to a 9-3 record. The dynamic dual-threat passer added 375 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. He earned All-ACC Honorable Mention honors.
Huge Addition for the Beavers
For an Oregon State program seeking a jolt of life on offense, landing Murphy is a major coup. The Beavers are coming off a disappointing 5-7 season where their passing game struggled mightily, ranking 10th in the Pac-12. Murphy’s arrival provides an instant upgrade.
“Maalik is a special talent with a huge arm and the athleticism to make plays with his legs,” an ACC coach told ESPN. “He has NFL potential written all over him. This is a big, big pickup for Oregon State.”
Promising but Raw Talent
Coming out of high school, Murphy was rated the No. 7 overall prospect in the ESPN 300 and the second-best quarterback in the 2022 class behind only Clemson signee Cade Klubnik. He initially signed with Texas and spent two years in Austin, including one as the backup to Quinn Ewers, before transferring to Duke after the 2023 season.
While immensely talented, Murphy is still a relatively raw prospect. His mechanics need refining and he must improve his accuracy and decision-making. But the physical tools are undeniable. NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. called Murphy a “high-ceiling, low-floor type of prospect” and projected him as a potential first-round pick with the right development.
Path to Playing Time
Murphy will have a great opportunity to win the starting job at Oregon State right away. The Beavers are losing last year’s primary starter Gevani McCoy, who threw for 1,297 yards, 9 TDs and 7 INTs in nine games before entering the transfer portal himself earlier this month.
The quarterback competition will include redshirt sophomore Ben Gulbranson, who started two games in 2024, promising redshirt freshman Gabarri Johnson, true freshman Kallen Gutridge, and incoming frosh Tristan Ti’a. But Murphy’s experience and pedigree make him the frontrunner to take the reins from Day 1.
Elevating the Offense
If Murphy does win the starting job as expected, his presence could completely transform what has been a lackluster Oregon State offense in recent years:
- The Beavers have finished 9th or worse in the Pac-12 in scoring each of the last three seasons.
- They have not averaged more than 200 passing yards per game since 2018.
- No Oregon State QB has thrown for more than 20 touchdowns in a season since Sean Mannion in 2013.
Murphy’s dual-threat skillset also opens up new possibilities for the Beavers’ offense under third-year coordinator Brian Lindgren. At Duke, Murphy excelled on designed runs and rollouts, utilizing his speed and elusiveness. That dimension has sorely been lacking from the Oregon State attack.
Adding further intrigue is the presence of star receiver Xavier Worthy, who transferred to Oregon State from Texas this past winter. Worthy was one of Murphy’s favorite targets when the two were in Austin together in 2022. If they can rekindle that chemistry, the Beavers’ passing game could take a quantum leap forward in 2025.
High Risk, High Reward
Of course, acquiring a talent like Murphy does not come without risk. In his one season as a full-time starter at Duke, he showcased tantalizing potential but was also plagued by bouts of inconsistency. He threw multiple interceptions in five different games.
| Completion % | Passing Yards | Pass TDs | INTs | QB Rating |
| 60.2% | 2,933 | 26 | 12 | 135.6 |
There will likely be an adjustment period as Murphy acclimates to a new system and bonds with new teammates at Oregon State. Head coach Alex Duncan and his staff must tailor their attack to highlight Murphy’s strengths while minimizing his weaknesses. It’s a delicate balance that could determine whether this move ultimately proves to be a boom or a bust.
But if it works out, the Murphy-Oregon State marriage has the potential to be one of the most impactful pairings of the 2025 college football season. His arrival instantly makes the Beavers a much more compelling team and a dark horse contender in the Pac-12. In an era of prolific offenses and high-octane quarterbacks, Oregon State may have just found its answer in Maalik Murphy.
