Allen has a new starting quarterback: Kyler Murray

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A non-district loss to Coppell hasn’t put so much as a dent in Allen’s drive to the postseason and a possible run at another 5A state title. The Eagles, who started strong enough to be ranked among national polls including the VYPE National Top 25 Rankings before the Coppell loss, continue to evolve, especially at quarterback.

After losing starting quarterback Alec Morris to Alabama in the offseason, the Eagles relied on senior Oliver Pierce to transition from All-District receiver to quarterback. Pierce, a nationally ranked wrestler who has committed to wrestle at Oklahoma, provided the Eagles with a great running option and an experienced hand at running Coach Tom Westerberg’s wide-open offense.

While Pierce helped lead the Eagles to their impressive start, Westerberg began working in sophomore quarterback Kyler Murray into the mix. Last week, Murray started at quarterback and played the first three quarters of Allen’s 47-25 win over Plano West. He gave way to senior Connor Greenberg after passing for 247 yards and three touchdowns.

Westerberg told The Dallas Morning News that Murray is now the Eagles' starting quarterback.

Murray still gives the Eagles the option to run out of the option and has been elusive in the pocket. Pierce, meanwhile, gives the Eagles another set of sure hands as a receiver.

Murray, a 5-10, 160-pound transfer from Lewisville, is the son of former Texas A&M quarterback Kevin Murray. Dad knows something about playing and developing quarterbacks, having become one of the state’s best known personal coaches of quarterback recruits trying to make the leap to the college level. Murray’s clients have included Morris (Allen/Alabama), Jake Larson (Coppell/UTEP), Russell Bellomy (Arl. Martin/Michigan), Seth Russell (Garland/Iowa State) and TJ Millweard (FW All Saints/UCLA).

The Murrays’ decision to move to Allen this summer inserted Kyler into an Allen system that has a legacy of producing college quarterbacks including Morris, Matt Brown (TCU) and Casey Dick (Arkansas).

Only time will tell if Kyler Murray’s arm takes the Eagles’ offense up a notch in the postseason.