Quarterback Kyler Murray transferring from Texas A&M
Texas A&Mfreshman quarterback Kyler Murray has elected to transfer and will not play in the Aggies' bowl game, the team confirmed Thursday.
Murray has been released from his scholarship at Texas A&M. He can transfer to any school, as long as it isn't in the SEC or a team on Texas A&M's schedule over the next four years.
Murray, who missed practice Wednesday for what the team called "personal reasons," tweeted about his decision Thursday night.
Last week, Kyle Allen, a 14-game starter and another top-ranked quarterback prospect, decided to transfer from Texas A&M.
Uncertainty with the direction of Texas A&M's offense, the future of the offensive coaching staff, trust issues between the quarterbacks and coaches and how the quarterbacks were utilized were among the concerns that led to both Murray's and Allen's transfers, sources indicated to ESPN.com. The Aggies had their worst offensive season statistically since coach Kevin Sumlin's debut in College Station in 2012, ranking 48th nationally in yards per game (423), 63rd in yards per play (5.64), 69th in scoring (28.3 points per game), 81st in yards per pass attempt (6.46) and 97th in red zone efficiency (54.9 percent).
No decisions have been made regarding the future of offensive coordinator Jake Spavital -- who was the primary recruiter for both Allen and Murray -- or any of the other offensive coaches, Sumlin said Wednesday. Sumlin indicated that no decisions will be made until after the Aggies' game against Louisville in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl on Dec. 30.
Murray, a 5-foot-11, 188-pound former Gatorade National Player of the Year and five-star prospect from Allen (Texas) High, appeared in eight games this season. He started three games, completing 72 of 121 passes for 686 yards and five touchdowns and five interceptions, while adding 335 yards and a touchdown rushing on 53 carries.
Murray graduated from Allen High as one of Texas' most decorated players in history, leading the Eagles to three straight state championships, including a 43-game win streak to end his high school career. He ended his stellar high school career with 10,386 yards passing and 117 touchdowns, along with 4,129 rushing yards and 69 scores.
Murray's transfer also affects the Texas A&M baseball program. Murray is also a highly regarded baseball prospect who pulled his name out of the MLB draft in May with the intent to play both football and baseball for the Aggies.
Murray picked Texas A&M over Texas, Oklahomaand Oregon, with the Longhorns making a late run before he opted to stick with the Aggies.
Information from ESPN.com's Sam Khan was used in this report.
