Report: Murphy named Duke's starting QB
Former Texas standout Maalik Murphy has won the quarterback competition to be Duke's starter, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Murphy, a redshirt sophomore, fended off Grayson Loftis to claim his spot atop the Blue Devils' QB depth chart. Loftis started Duke's final five games last year, leading the team to a win over Troy in the Birmingham Bowl to finish the season.
The Blue Devils open the 2024 campaign against Elon on Aug. 30.
Murphy guided Texas to victories over BYU and Kansas State in his only two starts last season. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound signal-caller passed for 477 yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions, and a 56.3% completion rate in 2023.
Murphy was one of Duke's first signees after the program announced Manny Diaz as head coach Mike Elko's successor.
Riley Leonard was the entrenched starter at Duke in 2022 and 2023. Injuries limited the dual-threat quarterback to seven games last year. He opted to enter the transfer portal last November and will start at Notre Dame this fall.