Texas A&M's Sumlin expects Murray to start bowl game

As far as Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin is concerned, Kyler Murray isn't going anywhere - at least not yet.

After Murray missed Aggies practice Wednesday - the same day rumors emerged that he was planning to transfer - Sumlin chalked up the quarterback's absence to "personal things."

"I'm not going to go into specifics, but I expect Kyler to be out here tomorrow," Sumlin told reporters.

When asked if he expected Murray to start for Texas A&M in the Music City Bowl against Louisville on Dec. 30, Sumlin answered, "Yes."

Murray, a former five-star prospect and the No. 1-ranked quarterback recruit in the 2015 class, reportedly attended a meeting with his father and Sumlin on Tuesday. Murray and his family are said to be unhappy with how he was utilized in his first season with the Aggies.

Wednesday, the coach defended his management of the position while critics continued to point the finger at him for the program's quarterback exodus.

"I don't know that the QB situation had been mismanaged," Sumlin said. "From where we stand right now, one guy right now has asked for a release."

"One guy" refers to Kyle Allen, a once-heralded prospect in his own right, who announced his intentions to find a new team last week. Murray would become the fourth quarterback to transfer from Sumlin's team since 2012 if he leaves, joining Matt Davis, Kenny Hill, and Allen.