BeaversEdge Top 25 For 2025: No. 2 Maalik Murphy
In the months leading up to the start of fall camp, BeaversEdge.com will be counting down the Top 25 Oregon State football players on the 2025 roster. Want to give your two cents on the rankings? Subscribe to BeaversEdge.com to join The Dam Board and weigh in on the conversation. We continue with quarterback Maalik Murphy at No. 2…
Maalik Murphy
Quarterback
Bio
No. 6
6-foot-5, 235-pounds
Rs-Junior.
Inglewood, Calif.
Junipero Serra HS -> Texas -> Duke -> Oregon State
Duke
• Played in 12 games for the Blue Devils in 2024. Went 9-3 as Duke’s starter
• Completed 254-of-421 attempts (60 percent) for 2,933 yards and 26 touchdowns. The 26 touchdowns mark a single-season record at Duke
• Ranked 13th nationally for passing touchdowns and 22nd in passing yards
• Passed for 200 or more yards in 11 of his 12 games and over 300 twice
• Threw for a season-high 332 yards with three touchdowns against Virginia Tech
• Passed for 325 yards and three touchdowns against No. 5 Miami
• Threw for at least one touchdown in 11 games, and two or more nine times
• Completed a season-high 28 passes in 43 attempts against UCONN, throwing for 267 yards and three touchdowns
• Led Duke to four wins when trailing in the fourth quarter
• First Duke quarterback to throw three game-winning touchdown passes in a single season
Texas
• Two-year member at Texas from 2022-23
• Played in seven games, making two starts
• Was 40-for-71 (56.3 percent) for 477 yards and three touchdowns
• Started against BYU and Kansas State, earning wins in both games
• 2023 Academic All-Big 12 Second Team
Junipero Serra High School
• Letterwinner for head coach Scott Altenberg
• Four-star prospect by ESPN.com & Rivals.com
• Rated as the No. 8, 9 and 12 pro-style quarterback, respectively
• Among the top-20 prospects in the state of California regardless of position
• Helped Junipero Serra to a 21-11 record and two appearances in the playoffs
• Guided Serra to a 2021 CIF Division 1-A state title
• Completed 202-for-321 passes (62.9 percent) for 2,954 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior. Rushed for six touchdowns
• Passes for 1,242 yards and 12 touchdowns in six playoff games
• 2021 All-State selection
• Competed at the 2021 Elite 11 Finals in Los Angeles
Murphy 2024 Recap
After spending the first two years of his career at Texas, Murphy elected to enter the transfer portal following the conclusion of the 2023 campaign. While Murphy looked at his options, and even took a visit to Oregon State, he ultimatley chose Duke.
He joined a program that was in a bit of a transition, going from Mike Elko to Manny Diaz, but the Blue Devils were coming off back-to-back eight-plus seasons under Elko and had upward momentum. Murphy settled into the starting QB role for the first time in his career and started all 12 games for Duke, leading them to a 9-3 record.
Murphy completed 60% of his attempts for 2,933 yards and 26 touchdowns against 12 interceptions and firmly established himself as a starting quarterback at the power-four level after seeing limited action for Texas during his early career.
He topped 200 passing yards 11 times, and over 300 twice. Murphy also ranked 13th in the country in passing touchdowns and was top 25 in passing yards. He also showcased the clutch gene, leading Duke to four wins when trailing in the 4th.
Circumstances quickly changed, however, as Duke wanted to go another direction at quarterback entering 2025, and Murphy opted to enter the transfer portal.
“100% wasn’t my choice to leave, but had to take what it was and move on,” Murphy said during spring football.
This time, Murphy picked the Beavers… He was still familiar with head coach Trent Bray, offensive coordinator Ryan Gunderson, and the Beavers’ staff and program from his visit a year prior, and this time around, the fit just felt right, and both sides made it happen following another visit.
“I was very familiar with the place and the people here with Coach Gundy and Coach Bray,” Murphy said during spring football. “They spent a lot of time with me throughout the process and made me feel welcome throughout the portal. I had no second guesses.”
Murphy 2025 Outlook
Entering the 2025 campaign, the Beavers needed a program-changer at quarterback, and they believe they’ve found one in Murphy. After struggling to throw the ball last season (the lowest non-2020 yards since 2017), Bray and Gunderson chose to shake up the quarterback room.
Gevani McCoy and Ben Gulbranson (later in the process) hit the transfer portal, and the Beavers needed a clear-cut No. 1 to lead Gabarri Johnson, Kallen Gutridge, and Tristan Ti’a.
After kicking the tires with Murphy a year prior, once he hit the portal after Duke’s regular season, the Beavers were determined to land him.
The Beavers had competition from Kentucky and Auburn, but the Beavers’ NIL Collective stepped up, and everyone made Murphy feel special during his visit. He also loved the fit with Oregon State, picturing himself succeeding with what the Beavers returned in 2025.
In terms of the on-field fit, Murphy has the potential to elevate the entire offense around him. The Beavers return a strong cast of running backs and receivers, have solid playmakers at tight end, and have the pieces to build a strong offensive line.
Murphy’s first spring with the Beavers was largely on track, as he learned the offense, built chemistry with the receivers, and flashed moments of wow play. He had a few interceptions throughout spring, but was also working with a second or third offensive line unit, with so many guys out. At 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, he’s also a very intimidating presence and stands tall in the pocket.
Murphy has a big-time desire to win, and that’s going to fuel Oregon State to greater heights this season compared to last.
“I just want to win,” Murphy said in spring. Honestly, it’s always been about winning and being able to win as a team, and that helps with people’s personal goals as well. As long as we win, everything will go right.”
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