As the Ole Miss Rebels prepare to take on the Duke Blue Devils in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on January 2, Duke will be without a pivotal player on offense.
Quarterback Maalik Murphy, who led the Blue Devils to a 9-3 record this season, has entered the transfer portal and will not participate in the bowl game.
Murphy’s decision has sparked significant debate, including sharp criticism from Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, who openly expressed frustration with the NCAA’s current transfer portal policies.
“It really is a really dumb system,” Kiffin said. “Think of what we’re talking about and what coach (Diaz) has had to address – a quarterback going into the portal, the season’s not over yet and there’s a free-agency window open.”
Kiffin likened the situation to the NFL, offering a striking analogy.
“Think about the NFL and getting ready for the AFC, NFC playoffs and postseason, and players are in free agency already,” he continued. “It’s a really poor system. We just try to manage best we can through it. Hopefully some day it’ll get fixed.”
Despite the timing of Murphy’s transfer, Duke head coach Manny Diaz had nothing but praise for his now-former quarterback, acknowledging Murphy’s significant contributions to the program.
“I’ve got a ton of respect for Maalik Murphy,” Diaz said. “Our story as a program it doesn’t happen this way without Maalik.
“He’s been everything we could have hoped for and more in his time with us. I’m excited for him and his future, and I’m glad we were part of each other’s story.”
Diaz added that the team would adapt in Murphy’s absence, preparing backup quarterbacks Grayson Loftis and Henry Belin IV to take the reins.
“If we don’t have him for the game, we’ll get Grayson (Loftis) and Henry (Belin, IV) ready to go. Feel good about both of those guys. Move on from there,” he said.
The No. 14-ranked Ole Miss Rebels are also entering the bowl game with a 9-3 record, aiming for their 10th win of the season.
While the Rebels will be facing a Duke team adjusting to the loss of its quarterback, both programs are determined to make a strong showing in their season finale.
In the bigger picture, it’s hard to find anyone who disagrees with Kiffin.
The system is so clearly flawed and it’s amazing that it hasn’t be fixed already.
What are your thoughts on the bizarre situation???
