Austin, Texas - With Arch Manning on the rise as a quarterback at Texas, will the college football world see Maalik Murphy transfer out of the program?

Texas Longhorns quarterback Maalik Murphy, once hailed for his loyalty to Texas amid a culture where players often opt for an easier path, might explore a transfer option soon.

"To me, in this era of 'things don't go my way, I'm going to take my ball and go somewhere else,' to have players on your roster that believe in this team, that believe in this football program, that believe in this university, that love being here, that's I think ultimately why the culture is the way it is in our locker room," head coach Steve Sarkisian told reporters about Murphy last month.

For Murphy, the potential departure isn't a matter of abandoning ship when things get tough. Instead, it's driven by a desire to find a program where he can further develop his on-field skills.

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Currently, Murphy shares the bench with another highly touted prospect, Arch Manning, both awaiting their turn behind Quinn Ewers, who is expected to return in 2024.

If Manning secures the backup spot next year, Murphy could end up as the third-string quarterback. Looking ahead to 2025, Murphy, as a redshirt junior, may find himself in a significant quarterback battle with Manning for the starting position.

The stakes are high, especially if Manning lives up to expectations, making this potential duel one of the most significant quarterback battles in recent memory. If Murphy doesn't emerge victorious, his NFL prospects could face significant challenges.

After suffering their third consecutive loss to Michigan, it's evident that Ohio State urgently needs an upgrade at quarterback. The silver lining is that, thanks to the transfer portal, bringing in new players has become more accessible than ever.

Naturally, football fans are already speculating about Murphy as a potential candidate.

The current starting quarterback, Kyle McCord, has struggled to meet expectations this season, and despite Ohio State's strong recruiting efforts, there isn't an obvious alternative behind him.

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As the Big Ten Conference and College Football Playoff expand next season, Ohio State needs an experienced quarterback to stay competitive. Presently, only McCord holds significant experience, with backup Devin Brown having limited playing time.

Adding to the intrigue, Ohio State had recruited Murphy out of high school, establishing some pre-existing familiarity with the talented quarterback.

In May, reports surfaced that several Power 5 schools across various conferences sought to recruit Murphy for their programs. Although the young quarterback initially rejected these offers, the uncertainty surrounding his future at Texas might prompt him to reconsider.