Texas Longhorns QBs Arch Manning and Maalik Murphy 'Continuing to Grow' in Backup Roles

Texas Longhorns backup QBs Maalik Murphy and Arch Manning are impressing Steve Sarkisian with their work ethic.

One of the biggest talking points of the college football offseason was the quarterback situation at Texas.

On top of having former perfectly rated five-star Quinn Ewers, the Longhorns also have a rising star in Maalik Murphy and added another five-star to the group in No. 1 overall recruit Arch Manning. Ewers was able to silence the notion that he'd lose his starting spot quickly into spring, and the Longhorns haven't yet needed Murphy or Manning to play unless it was Murphy closing out blowout games.

However, while the two have yet to see any meaningful action with Manning yet to see the field in a game, they have still caught the attention of head coach Steve Sarkisian.

“I think Maalik and Arch have continued to grow systematically in a real sense of understanding of what we’re doing," Sarkisian said. "There’s been great intent in that room with those guys working hard and working with Coach Milwee to take their game to another level because there’s going to come a time, knock on wood, when their number is going to get called and we’re going to need them to play a high level of football to win a game.”

Texas backup quarterbacks / Jason Suchomel - Orange Bloods

The Longhorns are hoping to get a bounce-back showing from starter Quinn Ewers on Saturday as they are set to hit the road and play new Big 12 member, Houston.

The Longhorns are favored by 22.5 points according to SI Sportsbook, and will have a chance to face off against former West Virginia coach Dana Holgerson one last time, and also avenge their loss to Donovan Smith who led Texas Tech to victory over the Longhorns a year ago and is now at Houston.