Can Healthy Maalik Murphy Push Texas QB1 Quinn Ewers? 'Of Course He Can' Says Sarkisian

Steve Sarkisian is a big fan of what Maalik Murphy brings to the table for the Texas Longhorns

AUSTIN - The Texans Longhorns returned to spring football on Tuesday after a 10-day spring break. 

And upon their return, a trio of key Longhorns were able to make their spring debuts, with quarterback Maalik Murphy, wide receiver Isaiah Neyor, and running back Jonathan Brooks all participating on Tuesday.

Murphy, who served as the backup to Quinn Ewers in the Alamo Bowl following the transfer of former backup Hudson Card, was once again taking reps in the no. 2 spot - sending five-star freshman early enrollee Arch Manning to third team reps. 

Before spring break, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian said that the time off would be "big" for Murphy to get healthy. 

By all accounts, Murphy did just that, displaying his arm talent - which is second to none on the roster - throughout practice.

“Can Maalik push Quinn? Of course, he can," Sarkisian said. "How far can he take it? Quinn's job is to keep raising his level of play so he can't catch him. That should be at every position across the board.”

Can Murphy actually catch Ewers for the spot of QB1? Likely not, as despite rumblings - some even from Sarkisian himself - the job is firmly Ewers' to lose.

And yes, that also means Arch Manning, who Sarkisian described as 'having his best practice' yet might have an even steeper hill to climb. 

OTHER NOTES

Jonathan Brooks resumed his No. 1 running back duties that he took over from Bijan Robinson for the Alamo Bowl, and looked strong in his return. 

He was backed up in order by Jaydon Blue, freshman C.J. Baxter and Ky Woods, while Keilan Robinson was not a full participant during the media window.

Elsewhere at wideout, Neyor's return to the receiver group was perhaps the most anticipated return for the Horns. 

And though he still sported a sizeable brace on his injured knee, seeing Neyor back on the practice field for the Horns was certainly a boost for the team.

“(Neyor) has looked as good as he’s looked," Sarkisian noted after practice.

In his return, Neyor ran third team reps behind Casey Cain and A.D. Mitchell.

The Longhorns will return to practice on Wednesday morning. 

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You can follow Matt Galatzan on Twitter @MattGalatzan

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