Maalik Murphy's Spring Outing Gives Longhorns Stability For QB Future
Quinn Ewers won the title of starting quarterback, but Maalik Murphy won the afternoon Saturday when connecting deep downfield with several Texas Longhorns receivers.
Ewers being named the starting quarterback following spring practice by Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian was the least of surprises from last week's Orange-White game. The limitations surrounding five-star recruit Arch Manning might have been the most.
And sandwiched in the middle was Murphy's performance in front of 30,000 fans at DKR. He displayed all the tools coaches covet in a starting quarterback. Every throw was direct. Every decision came with a purpose.
No, Murphy won't be the Longhorns' starter when the team takes the field against Rice come September 2, but it's hard not to be floored with the idea that perhaps Texas' No. 2 option could very well be its No. 1 in the not-so-distant future.
"The sky’s the limit for the guy," Sarkisian said. "He is really talented and I thought he showed today with making some of the throws that he did.”
The spring game marked a pinnacle point in Murphy's Forty Acres career. His debut outing donning the black non-contact jersey gave fans of the Burnt Orange a taste of just how special the quarterback room could be.
Murphy, a 6-5, 235-pound ball of clay ready to be molded into a pristine passer, left fans wanting more. He connected on deep shots of 30 yards downfield with ease. Short passes came quickly from his howitzer disguised as a right arm.
While Ewers silenced the doubter who thought his title of starter was in jeopardy, it was Murphy who made jaws drop from the bleachers. A California product heaved a pass nearly 50 yards downfield right into the breadbasket of receiver Deandre Moore.
Too bad the ball ricocheted off Moore's chest and landed on the turf. No worries. Murphy dialed up the cannon arm once more, this time connecting with freshman Johntay Cook II, who sprinted down the sideline to finish off the 79-yard touchdown.
“What I saw from Maalik was, when he really started to settle, his natural ability to pass the football,” said Sarkisian. “And 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. Has a quick delivery, quick release. And Maalik is a really good leader. He always brings a lot of positive energy every time he takes the field.”
Ewers, who started 10 games last season, was always going to remain the starter following his first year in Austin. Sarkisian said every position was up for grabs, but the phrase more so is used for pushing competition in practice.
Last season, Ewers was on pace for a breakout year. His first-quarter performance against top-ranked Alabama swung momentum in favor of a program that failed to make a bowl game over one that recently played for a national title. And if not for a shoulder injury that sidelined him for three weeks, who knows what could have been.
But while Sarkisian never wavered on his intent to keep Ewers in the driver's seat, even he had to be impressed with Murphy's growth. Here's a west coast kid with lone star dreams making highlight throws look easy against the Longhorns' secondary.
Best of all, Murphy looked the part of a capable starter at less than 100 percent. He missed all of last spring due to a foot injury suffered in his final high school game. And while Murphy still isn't full-go, his body looks to be on the right track.
"He’s a lot more comfortable than he was last year,” Ewers said of Murphy. “We came in at the same time. A year in this system really helps you out, and I’ve seen him make huge strides in knowledge of the playbook and knowledge of the defenses. I’m excited for his future. He’s in a great spot right now too.”
Manning, the poster boy of the 2023 recruiting cycle, might have enrolled early to compete for starting reps, but he likely will be mentally preparing for when his number is called once Texas joins the SEC. That's not a knock on what the nephew of Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning can bring to the table, but there's always room for improvement.
And yes, that includes both Ewers and Murphy. Ewers finished the afternoon 16-of-23 for 195 yards with one touchdown to lead the White team to a 21-10 win. He also overshot several receivers on easy touch passes that could have gone for substantial open-field gains.
Murphy, who finished 9-of-13 for 165 yards, thrived when connecting deep, but is far from a finished product. That's not a bad thing, either. Sarkisian is always preaching about improvement in practice and better one's reps.
It's how Murphy showed his value as the Longhorns' No. 2. If the time ever comes due to struggle or injury, best believe the quarterback that made fans exhale a sigh of relief will be ready for his shot.
“Even this spring he wasn’t able to participate the first week and we had to gradually work him back in,” Sarkisian said. “So the idea is that hopefully we can get him completely healthy going into training camp where he gets that foundation of the installation."
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