After a year of turmoil at quarterback, Oregon State’s football team has found their needle mover: Maalik Murphy. 

Watching organized football at any level can teach you many things, one being that the thing to move the needle most for a program or team is a good quarterback. 

“I’ve just been impressed with everything about him, with the way he (Murphy) carries himself, (his) knowledge, just (his) football intelligence, it’s been fun to be around him,” head coach Trent Bray said.

The soon-to-be junior is now heading to his third team in the last three seasons, and it looks to be his perfect fit. Murphy visited Oregon State before transferring to Duke University last year, resulting in two visits in two years. 

“Well one, we tried to get him the year before, (we) know a lot of people that he’s worked with at Texas,” Bray said. “So there was people we knew and trusted that we asked their opinion on, and not only how great a player he is, but who is he, how does he work, so we felt great about that part of it.”

“It really felt like home this time around,” Murphy said. “ This time around I was able to get around the guys, feel the whole atmosphere, really feel special, and that’s kinda what you want as a player.” 

Murphy is coming off a breakout second season with the Blue Devils of 26 touchdown passes, over 2,900 passing yards, and an over 60% completion rate. He previously sat behind Quinn Ewers at the University of Texas at Austin as a backup during his freshman season. 

Murphy’s numbers leap out compared to OSU’s quarterback room from the 2024 campaign. 

“It reminds me a lot of when I was at Texas, it’s a pro-style fit, I’m able to work from under center, work out the gun, a lot of play action stuff, and (therefore) show off my arm talent,” Murphy said regarding offensive coordinator Ryan Gunderson’s system. “I’m pretty excited, I think we’ll do well.” 

Murphy has worn the No. 6 on the back of his jersey throughout his college career, and when he came to OSU the number was occupied by wide receiver David Wells Jr. The two made a change and now Murphy is with his longstanding number and Wells Jr. is wearing No. 1 for the 2025-26 season. 

“Aw man, D-Well is a great dude, I’m pretty sure it’s one of those things like ‘man, this dude is gonna be throwing me the ball so I guess’ but I’m thankful for him for letting me get it,” Murphy said.

The Beavers last season saw three players get a start at quarterback: Garbarri Johson, Gevani McCoy and Ben Gulbranson. They combined for a little over 2,400 yards and seven touchdown passes with 11 interceptions. 

With a returning young player in Johnson, the depth at quarterback for OSU shows great promise.

Spring camp has just begun and the Beavers have a while to go before in-season action begins. Beaver Nation will get their first look at their new quarterback come their annual spring game, which will be held on April 19 at Reser Stadium.