Florida QB Tyler Murphy to Transfer
The Florida Gators‘ dismal 2013 campaign continued to show ugly ripple effects this week, as another player decided it was time to leave Gainesville for greener pastures.
According to ESPN.com, junior quarterback Tyler Murphy announced his intention to transfer, a decision that the school officially confirmed on Sunday.
Murphy joins a group of seven players – including tight end Kent Taylor – that have already decided to move to a new program following the Gators’ 4-8 finish this season. However, his move could be the most telling of the program’s sudden decline, considering he would have had a chance to earn the full-time starting job in 2014.
In starting six games of Florida’s 2013 season, Murphy threw for 1,216 yards and six touchdowns, while tossing five interceptions. Although he outperformed original starter Jeff Driskel – who broke his leg in week 3 against Tennessee – at the position, the team’s results failed to improve, as Florida won just two of its six games with Murphy under center.
Still, Murphy’s dynamic skill set could fit somewhere else, which is likely why he made the decision to switch schools. It’s unclear where he’ll end up, but there are certainly plenty of teams with spread offenses looking for a mobile quarterback who can also throw on the move.
Meanwhile, the Gators are left with Driskel – who will be entering his senior season – and redshirt freshman Skyler Mornhinweg as the only two scholarship quarterbacks on their roster. Mornhinweg started the final three games of the 2013 season and showed some promise, completing 44 of 63 throws for 344 yards and three touchdowns, with just one interception.
Whoever ends up under center for Florida in 2014 shouldn’t expect an instant turnaround, considering how strong the SEC was once again this season. And with all the players jumping ship in recent weeks, it’s highly likely the Gators could be entering their first real down period in three decades. Maybe it’s time for bettors to jump off Florida’s wagon too, if they hadn’t already.
