Ja'Tavion Sanders reveals how Texas offense has grown in offseason

The Texas Longhorns will enter the 2023 with high expectations on the offensive the ball. Their only loses are to running back, where they lose Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson to the NFL Draft, but they reload at every other position. Amid spring practice, tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders was asked where Texas’ offense has improved the most this season, and his answer should excite Longhorn fans.

“I’d definitely say in out quarterbacks for sure,” Sanders said. “I think getting Arch (Manning) definitely made Quinn (Ewers) step up his game for sure. Maalik (Murphy) coming along too, he’s getting over that injury.”

There’s no question that the Longhorns’ quarterback room made itself even stronger this offseason. Ewers returns after his first full season as a starter, one where the former No. 1 overall quarterback recruit of the 2021 class earned honorable mention Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year in 2022. He threw for 2,177 yards and 15 touchdowns in his 10 starts last season, but will be challenged this offseason by other young, talented quarterbacks.

Arch Manning joined the team this spring after also being the No. 1 overall quarterback prospect of his respective high school class. This spring practice marks his first ever reps at the collegiate level, but the size, talent, and pedigree he brings to the table will likely keep his name in the starting quarterback competition all offseason.

Maalik Murphy is also in the mix after being Ewers’ backup last season. He battled some injury struggles to start the offseason and did not participate in the team’s first few spring practices, but is now back practicing with the team, bringing a unique skillset to the table that the Longhorns’ other QBs don’t with his 6-foot-5, 235 pound frame at the position.

A crowded quarterback room may seem like a problem to some on the outside looking in, but according to Sanders, has brought out the best in their likely starter in Ewers.

“You can just tell Quinn is in a different mode this year the way he’s carrying himself, the way he comes to the facility. He started to be more of a leader, I’m loving the way he’s stepping up for sure,” Sanders said.

Ewers growth as a leader is surely a good sign, and so are the weapons he’ll have at his disposal. Sanders was an a First-Team All-Conference tight end last season, and other all conference weapons like Xavier Worthy and Jordan Whittington along with the addition of Georgia transfer AD Mitchell join him this upcoming season. Creating a seemingly surefire recipe for success regardless of who is under center for Texas year.