Duke has its Week 1 signal-caller.
Texas transfer Maalik Murphy is the starting quarterback for the Blue Devils, according to a statement from the team. The news was first reported from an X post by ESPN's Pete Thamel.
"First and foremost, all of our quarterbacks have been impressive and made really good strides since we opened practice last month,” Diaz said. “Maalik has earned the opportunity to be our starting quarterback with his preparation, work ethic and productivity. I’m really excited for him because of his investment into this team and this program. And we’re really fortunate to have two young men in the room who have won games here at Duke. Both Henry (Belin IV) and Grayson (Loftis) will continue to prepare like starters and push Maalik, and we’ve got confidence in their abilities to lead our offense.”
Murphy beat out sophomore Grayson Loftis — who started in the final five games of Duke’s 2023 season — and Henry Belin IV, the redshirt sophomore who led the Blue Devils to a win against N.C. State.
The former four-star recruit in the class of 2022 redshirted in his first year, but started two games in the 2023 campaign after Quinn Ewers was injured. Murphy led the Longhorns to two wins against BYU and then-No. 23 Kansas State, throwing for more than 400 yards combined.
Murphy was one of the top transfers in last year’s portal class, and met head coach Manny Diaz at a Miami football camp when Murphy was 12. Murphy called his decision to transfer to Duke “relationship based,” and was impressed with Diaz remembering that moment.
The 6-foot-5 quarterback has elite arm talent and strength, which pairs well with new offensive coordinator Jonathan Brewer’s Air Raid system. Murphy will be assisted by veteran playmakers Jordan Moore and Jaquez Moore, as the Blue Devils hope to extend their big-play capabilities.
Duke kicks off its season against Elon Aug. 30 at Wallace Wade Stadium.
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Ranjan Jindal is a Trinity junior and sports editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.