Maalik Murphy, Grayson Loftis on pushing each other, Duke QB room: We're a 'big family'

In any good quarterback room, each signal caller will use the strong competition within their team to better themselves, and that’s exactly what the Duke Blue Devils have with Grayson Loftis and Maalik Murphy.

As the duo look to usher in a new era for the program under Manny Diaz, they joined the crew at ACC Media Days to speak on the upcoming season, with Loftis beginning the conversation, heaping praise on his teammate when asked what Murphy has brought to the Blue Devils in 2024.

“Mainly, coming in, the first thing he said was we’re here to push each other and get better, and just be a big family, essentially, in the quarterback room. I think, just something I’ve picked up from him is just to be looser on the field,” Loftis explained. “He’s a funny guy, he’s got a great personality. In a drill, you might miss a throw, he’ll throw a jab. If you make a great throw, he’s going to be your biggest fan.

“So, I think, just kind of bringing that completive juice and energy to the room, and I think, at the end of the day, just not losing sight of that we’re all one big family, and we’re all competing towards the same goal, to win as many games as possible, and hold a trophy up at the end.”

In response, Murphy — who comes from Texas, where he shared a quarterback room with Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning — made sure to let Loftis know he was coming in to help contribute to a winning football team, not change what the Blue Devils have been building.

“Exactly that. I think the biggest thing coming in was kind of to put myself in a position to where I don’t want them to think that it’s not like, a happy family, just like Grayson said. We’re here to push each other,” Murphy said. “He pushes me every day, in the weight room, on the field. Whenever our rack partner switches up, I get sad, because I want Grayson as my rack partner, you know what I’m saying?

“So, he pushes me. He gets the most out of me. That’s all I can ask for, as another quarterback in the room.”

Of course, the duo had to have some fun with each other, as well, ribbing about their off-field style: “His clothes. He’s really particular about his fashion and his clothes,” Loftis added, regarding something he admires about Murphy. “We were just talking about his colognes that he puts on. His fashion, he’s very, very particular about his fashion.”

Evidently, Loftis could use a fashion tip or two from Murphy: “Grayson is the absolute opposite,” the former Texas quarterback added, regarding Loftis’ style. “He looks great today. He doesn’t like to spend money, at all. Like, he would rather just get all the free stuff and wear that.”

You can’t blame him for that. Grayson Loftis and Maalik Murphy make up one of the more interesting quarterback rooms in the ACC, and Duke will be hoping it translates to wins for the Blue Devils in 2024.