Maalik Murphy opens up on transition from Texas to Duke

New Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy is doing his best to get integrated with the offense following his transfer from Texas, but he’s had just as big an adjustment off the field.

The talented 6-foot-5, 238-pound quarterback opened up on that transition at the ACC Media Days on Wednesday morning.

“Off the field life is very different for me at Duke than it was at Texas, just because I think the city is so different,” Maalik Murphy said. “I’m not the type of guy that really go out and explore much anyway, I kind of do my own thing, go and get food and really just sit in the house.”

That stay-in attitude has allowed Murphy to really focus in on the playbook and get down everything he needs to before the 2024 campaign. He’s anticipating a big season after transferring from Texas, where there was a logjam at quarterback.

Murphy has played in seven career games, starting two of them. He’s thrown for 477 yards and three touchdowns, but he’s also thrown three interceptions.

Bolstering that touchdown-to-interception ratio will be key. But first Murphy has had to get used to his new digs. It hasn’t always been easy.

“The city is way different in my eyes, like it’s kind of gloomy to me,” Murphy said. “Bipolar weather. Not like Austin at all. But the guys seem to have a lot of fun with it, so maybe in the season I’ll open up more.”

Not exactly the most ringing endorsement for Durham, but Maalik Murphy seems to be making it work.

So what does he do for enjoyment during his free time if he’s not out and about enjoying everything the town has to offer?

“I’m really just watching a lot of Instagram reels, I send funny videos,” Murphy said. “I talk to my friends, and coming from California I’m three hours ahead from like my family and stuff. So at first it was kind of tough on me getting adjusted to that time and telling everybody like, ‘Hey, you can’t be calling me when it’s 10 o’clock your time, that’s 1 in the morning for me.’ That’s pretty much it.”

Settled in now, Maalik Murphy will be eagerly looking forward to the upcoming season. He’ll have high expectations, as Duke is coming off a combined 16 wins the last two seasons and he’ll be charged with leading the offense.