Watch: Maalik Murphy Goes Long For Texas Touchdown Pass
Quinn Ewers may be the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, but one of his backups, Maalik Murphy, has quite the arm.
He showed it off during the Texas Orange and White Spring Game which featured Murphy, Arch Manning and Quinn Ewers at quarterback at Darrell K. Royal-Memorial Stadium.
Murphy threw a long, smooth touchdown pass to wide receiver Johntay Cook II, who joined the Longhorns as part of the Class of 2023 and enrolled early.
Ewers isn’t likely to transfer, as head coach Steve Sarkisian already knows who that starter will be and said as much after Saturday’s game.
“I think it’s pretty clear to say, Quinn is our starting quarterback,” Sarkisian told media after the game.
Still, every starting quarterback needs a backup, and Murphy would be a quality backup next season. He already has a season in the Texas offense.
Murphy signed with Texas a part of the Class of 2022 and at the time he was the nation’s No. 12 quarterback.
Manning, meanwhile, was the No. 1 quarterback in the Class of 2023 and enrolled early so he could be a part of spring workouts. Ewers was the nation’s No. 1 quarterback coming out of high school, left early to sign with Ohio State and spent the 2021 season as a redshirt. He transferred to Texas after that season.
With the pecking order set, Murphy can continue to work to take the No. 2 role from Manning as the spring and summer unfold.
Texas is coming off an 8-5 season under Sarkisian that saw the Longhorns lose to the Washington Huskies, 27-20, in the Alamo Bowl.
The Longhorns open the season at home against the Rice Owls on Sept. 2. Following that, the Longhorns take to the road for a rematch with Alabama, one season before the Longhorns join the SEC to start the 2024 football season.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard
