Steve Sarkisian lists multiple Texas players that will return from injury vs. BYU

Texas, like many teams, is going to be dealing with a few injuries, some more significant than others, down the stretch of the season. However, Steve Sarkisian had positive news regarding six players whose statuses were previously up in the air.

Sarkisian addressed the availability of DL Alfred Collins, DB Gavin Holmes, DB Terrance Brooks, LB Jett Bush, DB Ryan Watts, and OL Cole Hutson early on in his press conference on Thursday. He said that, as of then, all six are in line to play against BYU.

“What I do know is that I think all of those guys will be available,” said Sarkisian. “I think that’s probably the best way for us to state it.”

All of these players had injuries at Texas before their latest win over Houston or left that victory with one.

That’s why, as Sarkisian continued, he gave credit to those in the Longhorn’s building, including those players, for getting themselves in a position to be available.

“Like I said, I credit our training staff, their position coaches, and those players individually for doing what they needed to do, on an individual basis, to put themselves in position to be available,” said Sarkisian.

Still, Sarkisian did close by saying none of them are fully out of the woods yet. Even if they get to kickoff against the Cougars, he said he and the staff would be keeping tabs on all of them to make sure they’re at 100% for the matchup.

“Naturally, when Saturday rolls around, a lot of those guys? I’m going to be monitoring closely, whether it’s pregame as well as in-game, to make sure that they’re putting us, as a team, in the best position to have some success. But, also, for their own well-being to make sure that they’re in position to play well, play good football, and do the things that we’re asking them to do,” Sarkisian said.

Sarkisian names Maalik Murphy as Texas’ starter vs. BYU 

Texas has announced its starting quarterback for Saturday’s game against BYU.

Steve Sarkisian revealed on Thursday that Maalik Murphy will make his first career start this weekend.

“Maalik (Murphy) is going to start Saturday,” Sarkisian said, according to On3’s Inside Texas.

Murphy is replacing Quinn Ewers, who was banged up in last week’s win over Houston. There is not a definitive timetable for Ewers’ return at this point. Sarkisian described him as week-to-week earlier this week with an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder.

Murphy filled in for Ewers during the win over Houston and completed one of two passes for seven yards. On the season, Murphy is 4-8 passing for 47 yards.

The redshirt freshman was ranked as 2022’s No. 12 quarterback according to the On3 Industry Rankings. He was the No. No. 205 overall player in the cycle.