Steve Sarkisian says Texas' backup quarterback competition is 'rolling along'

Steve Sarkisian hasn’t made Texas’ starting quarterback much of a secret, naming Quinn Ewers to the role during spring practice as he gets ready for his second season in the offense. The question, however, comes behind him.

Maalik Murphy and Arch Manning are battling it out to be Ewers’ backup this year. Sarkisian has raved about the level of talent in the quarterback room this year, and Murphy and Manning are big reasons for that. As for which one will be QB2, though, Sarkisian said it’s still being worked out.

However, the offense as a whole is getting better because of the competition.

“I’d say that competition’s rolling along,” Sarkisian said. “Maalik’s done some great things for us, too. And I love it because I think that room, in general, is playing at a higher level than it was in spring. No question. And a higher level than it was a year ago at this time. So, as a coach, that’s a positive. I think the continuity on offense feels good, I feel like nobody’s just relying on one guy to go make a play, or two guys. I mean, I saw today plays made by Keilan Robinson, by Ced Baxter, by Jonathon Brooks. JT Sanders made a couple really good plays today. Xavier [Worthy] made a couple really nice plays today, kind of got the thing started. [Juan Davis] makes a big touchdown catch there at the end. Jordan Whittington was making plays. Johntay [Cook] had a really nice play there at the end.

“So all of a sudden, the ball’s moving around. And I think from a quarterback’s perspective, that puts them at ease, that they can just go where the read is telling them to go and not feel like they’re hanging on one guy longer than maybe they should. In turn, there’s good rhythm out of that room right now in the way that they’re playing.”

Murphy sat behind Ewers last year and didn’t see any action as a true freshman. A former four-star recruit, he came in as the No. 205-ranked player in the country and the No. 12 quarterback from the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Manning, meanwhile, could be looking at a similar fate depending on what Sarkisian decides to do with the depth chart. The former Five Star Plus+ recruit was the No. 1 overall prospect from the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

Regardless, it’s clear Texas has plenty of talent in its quarterback room. That depth is critical as the Longhorns gear up for their final Big 12 season, which kicks off Sept. 2 against Rice.