Texas QB Matthew Merrick leaves program to focus on academic career

The depth chart at the quarterback position for Texas became one man shorter on Tuesday when redshirt freshman Matthew Merrick announced he has decided to step away from the program.

Merrick, a former three-star recruit out of Irving, Texas, said that the decision to temporarily give up football was made in order to devote full attention to his academics, but stated that he would consider a return to football in the future, according to Brian Davis of The Austin American-Statesman.

"After discussing it with my family, I've decided to step away from the football team and focus on my academics at UT," Merrick said. "If an opportunity in football were to present itself in the future, that's something I would consider, but for now, I believe it's best to strengthen my academics as much as possible."

Merrick would have entered his redshirt sophomore season as a depth option at quarterback for the Longhorns, battling for time with the likes of redshirt freshman Josh Covey and incoming four-star recruit Sam Ehlinger for time behind incumbent starter Shane Buechele.