Steve Sarkisian details what he saw from Maalik Murphy during spring game

It’s easy to forget there are more than two quarterbacks on Texas‘ roster this year. The star power of Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning overshadows redshirt freshman Maalik Murphy, who came into the program last year as a four-star recruit.

Ewers earned the start during Saturday’s spring game for the white team — and will be QB1 when the season begins, according to head coach Steve Sarkisian after the game. There were oodles of curiosity over how Manning would fair in his first live competition in burnt orange, but it was Murphy who led the orange team throughout the day completing 9-of-13 of his passes for 165 yards and a touchdown.

“When he really started to settle in, he has a natural ability to pass the football. He’s got great vision, when he pushes the ball down the field, it’s natural. It’s not like he has to force it, and he’s got a quick delivery and a quick release,” Sarkisian said after the game. “Also, Maalik is a really good leader. He always brings a lot of positive energy with him when he takes the field, which I think is great.”

Sarkisian revealed that Murphy had to be held out of the first week of spring ball with an undisclosed ailment. Since his return, the 6-foot-5, 235-pound QB hasn’t missed a beat and is poised to have a strong fall camp if he can remain healthy.

“I think the sky’s the limit for the guy,” Sarkisian said. “He’s a really talented player and I think he showed that today with some of the throws he made.”

Murphy’s production was fueled by a 79-yard touchdown pass to five-star true freshman wideout Johntay Cook II. The impressive throw was good for the only score from the orange squad on the day with Murphy and Manning as its primary QBs.

Manning, who was pressured on almost every throw he made, finished the game with five completions for 30 yards. Ewers was the star, however, as the returning starter completed 16-of-23 passes for 195 yards and one touchdown.

As Sarkisian said, “it’s pretty clear,” that Ewers is the starting quarterback for next season. Murphy and Manning will fall behind in whichever order, but from a spring game perspective — Murphy is a reliable second option at quarterback for Texas while Manning adjusts to the college level, though it’s expected to not take very long for the legacy QB to take over the reigns.

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