{"id":107873,"date":"2025-07-31T15:32:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T15:32:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/107873\/"},"modified":"2025-07-31T15:32:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T15:32:10","slug":"magic-maalik-murphy-takes-up-mantle-of-leadership-for-oregon-state-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/107873\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Magic\u2019 Maalik Murphy takes up mantle of leadership for Oregon State football"},"content":{"rendered":"

CORVALLIS \u2014 With a gaggle of media members perched on the edge of Oregon State<\/a> football\u2019s practice fields, Maalik Murphy saw an opportunity.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I go before coach?\u201d he asked reporters with a grin.<\/p>\n

Murphy tried to hustle over, but Beavers coach Trent Bray cut his 6-5 signal-caller off and told him to wait. They both laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s just got great leadership skills,\u201d Bray later said of Murphy. \u201cHe\u2019s vocal, the guys like him, and he gets along with everyone on the team. He does the work. He\u2019s not afraid to work. He\u2019s got great leadership not only from a vocal standpoint but from a visual standpoint. They can see it.\u201d<\/p>\n

By the time Murphy strode up to the cameras, he had completed his first fall practice as OSU\u2019s presumptive starting quarterback, zipping passes around the field and chopping it up with teammates during every drill. Positive energy radiated from behind his face mask.<\/p>\n

A transfer from Duke, Murphy was the biggest acquisition of the offseason for the Beavers, garnering a reported $1.5 million NIL payday and creating a palpable buzz around a program desperate to improve its offensive balance.<\/p>\n

This doesn\u2019t seem like just another stop on the road for the two-time transfer Murphy, who began his career at Texas before ending up at Duke. The junior previously said he intends to finish his collegiate career at OSU<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2024 was his first season as a full-time starter with Duke, and he is now a leader for an OSU team resting much of its collective hope on his broad shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a strong opinion in the locker room, and I think the guys respect what I\u2019m talking about when I open my mouth,\u201d Murphy said. \u201cThat\u2019s huge as a quarterback and a leader, for sure. That keeps me on my toes as well not to give them a false hope or just chatting. Giving them real words of encouragement, whether that\u2019s making sure everyone is on-time, making sure everybody is working as hard as they possibly can. Letting them know they can hold me accountable as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"OregonOregon State quarterback Maalik Murphy winds up to throw the ball during the Beavers\u2019 practice on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 in Corvallis.Leon Neuschwander, for The Oregonian\/OregonLive<\/p>\n

Murphy didn\u2019t show up with the expectation that his new teammates would look to him for guidance: he spent the winter, spring and summer nurturing relationships with players in every position group and establishing himself as the voice at the heart of the Beavers\u2019 locker room.<\/p>\n

That included throwing with his wide receivers six days a week during the summer, according to top target Trent Walker, and intentional time away from football bonding with other teammates around Corvallis. Activities like bowling, playing the NCAA football video game, and eating at favorite restaurant TacoVino.<\/p>\n

Running back Anthony Hankerson calls him \u201cMagic Maalik,\u201d raving about the added dimension Murphy brings to OSU\u2019s offense though the air \u2014 particularly the deep ball. That is something Walker said he and Murphy worked on a lot in their throwing sessions.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaalik is a great dude,\u201d Walker said. \u201cWe went at it this summer. We wanted to attack the summer a little bit differently because we wanted a different result this season. We had to do something different.\u201d<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t a perfect final season at Duke, by Murphy\u2019s admission. He threw for 26 touchdowns and showcased elite ability on the deep ball, but he also threw 12 interceptions.<\/p>\n

He chalks that up to inexperience, and has pored over his Duke film since arriving in Corvallis to find out where he can improve and protect the ball better. He is primarily a pocket passer, but showcased his ability to move in and out of the pocket in OSU\u2019s spring game.<\/p>\n

Limiting interceptions is front of mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust got to mature,\u201d Murphy said. \u201cThat was my first year starting as a full-time quarterback in college, so it was huge. It was a big stepping stone for me to get those games under my belt so now, going into this season, I can \u2014 not know what to expect \u2014 but I have a pretty good feel for the game. I could be more efficient and I\u2019m able to watch myself and see on tape what I can improve on.\u201d<\/p>\n

The willingness to attack his weaknesses, combined with evident leadership and ever-growing camaraderie with his teammates, is part of why coaches appear so eager to hand Murphy the keys. This team will likely go as far as he takes them.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is way more comfortable with the offense having gone through spring. And that\u2019s really what it is for him,\u201d Bray said. \u201cHe\u2019s got all the physical ability to get it done, and now it\u2019s just running those plays over and over, doing those reads over and over so he\u2019s sharp by the time we line up against Cal.\u201d<\/p>\n

— Ryan Clarke<\/a> covers the Oregon State Beavers for The Oregonian\/OregonLive. Reach him at RClarke@Oregonian.com or on Twitter\/X: @RyanTClarke<\/a>. Find him on Bluesky: @ryantclarke.bsky.social<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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