That didn’t take long, did it?

Just nine days ago, we asked “Will it be Johnson’s time to shine? Or will an experienced portal addition take the reins?” Well, HAPPY BELLIGEMAS, indeed, Beaver fam!

The quarterback room in Corvallis got a major shot in the arm with 6'5", 230-pound redshirt sophomore Maalik Murphy bringing two years of eligibility with him for the Beavs. Murphy made his way to Corvallis after a breakout season at Duke, one in which the advanced metrics really showed how much he can elevate an offense in both creating scoring opportunities and explosive plays.

Breaking Down Murphy's Metrics

Passing play metrics, courtesy of CollegeFootballData.com, help paint a more complete picture of how well a quarterback does at creating scoring chances beyond the simple numbers of passing yards or touchdowns.

A side-by-side comparison of Murphy’s performance at Duke with Oregon State’s quarterbacks in 2024 clearly demonstrates the potential impact he brings:

Murphy’s 0.284 Passing Plays PPA shows he consistently improved Duke’s scoring potential on nearly every pass, far surpassing Oregon State’s 0.078 Passing Plays PPA.

Murphy’s cumulative 9.77 Total PPA reflects his ability to drive scoring opportunities over the course of a game, compared to Oregon State’s 2.61 Total PPA.

Murphy’s 1.648 Explosiveness rating showcases his ability to create momentum-shifting plays, such as long completions and clutch conversions. This is a step up from this past year’s Beaver QB 1.458 Explosiveness, which showed some room for improvement in creating big plays.

Murphy’s 40.95% Passing Success Rate highlights his efficiency in keeping Duke’s offense on schedule, especially on critical downs. By comparison, Oregon State’s 36.96% Success Rate reveals the challenges the Beavers faced in maintaining drive continuity.

More trends to watch

REDZONE DOMINANCE

He was literally perfect in the red zone last season, tossing 11 touchdowns with zero interceptions. In such crucial areas of scoring, efficiency does indeed show poise, decision-making, and the ability to deliver the blow where it most hurts.

Setting The Tone

He completed 71.5% of his attempts on 1st and 10 plays in 2024 for an average of 7.9 yards per attempt. That’s a hell of a success rate on 1st down.

Playing Without The Lead

Statistically, the best version of Maalik Murphy showed up in tied ballgames as he completed 69.9% of his passes for an average 7.7 yards per attempt and a 154.5 QBR. Falling behind on the scoreboard didn't dim Murphy's brilliance that much as he kept Duke in games while slinging it for 1,362 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 5 picks for a 130.5 QBR.

Why Beaver Fans Should Be Excited

Unlocking the Potential of Key Playmakers

This means the arm strength and ability to make plays explosively that Murphy provides will be exactly what the doctor ordered for Oregon State's receiving core. Leading it will be 6'3" downfield threat Darrius Clemons. He has produced on very few 2024 opportunities, but never had a quarterback in place who could take advantage of his vertical ability. Murphy's deep ball would make Clemons a prime candidate for a breakout.

Complementing Clemons will be Trent Walker, a trusted possession receiver whose sure-handed, precise route-running creates an ideal target for the efficient passing of Murphy. Walker's ability to convert on intermediate routes and third downs should play nicely with the high Success Rate coming from Murphy.

Creating Opportunities for the Ground Game

That, of course, gives an opportunity for the Beavers to take advantage of their ground game, with Anthony Hankerson and Salahadin Allah running the ball. The defenses can try to stack the box against it, but then again, that opens up the opportunity for Murphy to stretch the field.

Speculating on Tight End Contributions

The addition of 6'5", 245-pound transfer tight end Jackson Bowers could further bolster the offense. Though unproven at the college level, Bowers has the size and potential to become a valuable target in red-zone situations and as a safety valve for Murphy under pressure. His presence could add another layer to Oregon State’s passing attack.

A Better Offense in 2025

Murphy’s arrival doesn’t just represent a quarterback upgrade—it’s the foundation of a more complete and dynamic offense for the Beavers. If Murphy lives up to his potential, Oregon State fans can look forward to:

1. Greater Scoring Opportunities: Murphy’s PPA metrics suggest he’ll consistently improve field position and scoring chances for the offense.

2. Sustained Drives: His high Success Rate indicates fewer stalled possessions, allowing the offense to maintain momentum and keep the defense rested.

3. Big-Play Potential: Murphy’s Explosiveness rating points to more game-changing plays that can shift momentum and secure victories.

The Future

Malik Murphy is the kind of quarterback who can take an offense like Oregon State to the next level. Advanced metrics on him paint himout to be a quarterback who maximizes talent from his playmakers and creates scoring opportunities in ways the Beavers never had in 2024. Which begs the question, what does that say about Gabbari Johnson's tenure with the Beavs? That will be unless he, too, jumps into the transfer portal. That's why we project Oregon State opening camp with Johnson and Murphy fighting for the position, but we've all learned how portal politics work. With Murphy likely leading the charge, Clemons playing as a real downfield threat, and with an attack that is more balanced on the ground, Oregon State's 2025 offense might very well be among the more exciting units since the Mannion-to-Cooks days of old.