Duke QB Maalik Murphy to Enter Transfer Portal, Will Not Play vs. Ole Miss in Gator Bowl

Duke Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy plans to enter the transfer portal, according to reports on Monday night.

Nov 30, 2024; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy (6) drops back to pass against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second half at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Ole Miss Rebels and Duke Blue Devils both enter this season's Gator Bowl matchup with a 9-3 record, but it appears that the team from the ACC will come in shorthanded on offense.

According to reports from Pete Thamel on Monday night, Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy is planning to enter the transfer portal and thus will not suit up for the Blue Devils when they take on Ole Miss in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.

Murphy will not play in TaxSlayer Gator Bowl against Ole Miss, he told ESPN. Murphy earned the back-up quarterback spot at Texas in 2023, starting two games for the Longhorns. He threw for 477 yards and three touchdowns in 2023.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 10, 2024

This is obviously a big blow for a Duke offense that greatly benefitted from Murphy's production in 2024. He set a school record with 26 touchdown passes this season while throwing for 2,933 yards in the process.

Ole Miss, on the other hand, is expecting to have its star quarterback suit up in this contest as Jaxson Dart announced on Monday night that he was prepared for "the last one" with the Rebels in early January. Bowl games are often full of opt outs, but the more players that Ole Miss can hold onto in the days ahead, the better its chances will be of securing its 10th win of the season.

The Rebels also received confirmed participation announcements from wide receiver Jordan Watkins and defensive backs Trey Amos and Trey Washington.

Kickoff on Jan. 2 between Ole Miss and Duke in the Gator Bowl is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.