Texas A&M has now lost its top two quarterbacks after Kyler Murray was granted his release to transfer Thursday, according to ESPN. Murray followed in the footsteps of sophomore Kyle Allen who left the Aggies program last Thursday. Murray, a freshman, took to Twitter to express his feelings on the decision.
— Kyler Murray (@TheKylerMurray) December 18, 2015
Jake Hubenak, a junior college transfer from Blinn College, is now left as the only scholarship quarterback on the team as Texas A&M prepares to play Louisville in the Music City Bowl on December 30. Hubenak played sparingly in just five games this season, completing 12 of the 27 passes he threw. Kyler Murray was preparing to be the starter in the Bowl Game, but his immediate release leaves Hubenak as the starter. Both Hubenak and the Aggies best receiver, Christian Kirk went the social media route.
S/O to the 12th man for all the love and support! Now let's go #BTHOlouisville pic.twitter.com/Sok14xzUBM
— Jake Hubenak (@hubenak_j) December 17, 2015
I came to A&M because I love this town and University simple as that. This teams been through adversity before, we'll be alright #GigEm
— Christian Kirk (@ChristianDavon2) December 17, 2015
Murray was absent from Wednesday’s practice, but head coach Kevin Sumlin said at the time that the quarterback was “going through some things and didn’t feel well.” Sumlin addressed Kyle Allen’s transfer for the first time on Wednesday but was not specific when asked about rumors regarding Murray’s intentions to leave the program.
“He and his family got together and made a decision they thought was best for them. Obviously we didn’t agree with it. But this program is not about one person or one coach.”
Sources told ESPN that a multitude of problems led to the departures of Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray, including how the quarterbacks were utilized, trust issues between the coaches and quarterbacks, the future of the offensive coaching staff, and uncertainty on the direction that side of the ball was heading. Sumlin indicated that no decisions will be made on any member of the coaching staff until after the team’s bowl game. Texas A&M finished the season with an 8-4 record and fifth in the SEC in total offense but just seventh in the conference in scoring with 28.3 points per game. Nationally, however, it was the worst statistical season offensively under Sumlin, finishing 48th in the country in yards per game and 69th in scoring.
Kyle Allen initially won the starting QB job in training camp before relinquishing the role to Kyler Murray in the eighth game of the season due to ineffectiveness. Murray took over in wins against South Carolina and Western Carolina, sandwiched around a loss to Auburn. However, Murray threw five interceptions in the latter two games and was benched in favor of Allen for the final two games of the year.
Allen and Murray combined to throw 14 interceptions on the season. Only quarterbacks from Kentucky and Vanderbilt had more in the SEC. Allen passed for 2,210 yards and 17 touchdowns to go along with the interceptions, while Murray had 686 passing yards and was second on the team in rushing yards with 335.
Kyler Murray was a legacy recruit for Texas A&M as his father Kevin also played quarterback in College Station. The younger Murray decided to follow in his father’s footsteps despite strong consideration to Oregon, Oklahoma and Texas. He was an all-time high school star at Allen High that saw him lead his school to three consecutive state championships and 43 straight wins to close out his high school career. The Aggie football team won’t be the only squad affected by Murray’s transfer, however. The two-sport star intended to play both football and baseball for A&M, as he withdrew his name from May’s Major League Baseball draft.