ESPN NEWS UPDATE: Longhorns HC Steve Sarkisian’s has named a new QB following the departure Maalik Murphy and he feels he ‘More Than Capable’

When Maalik Murphy entered the transfer portal before committing to Duke, the Texas Longhorns officially lost valuable quarterback experience. Even though he has only made two career starts, both in wins this season, coaches should never take that for granted. When the Longhorns face the Washington Huskies in the College Football Playoff at the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day, they will still have one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Quinn Ewers, but newly-appointed backup Arch Manning isn’t exactly the ideal QB2 in terms of experience and collegiate reps. Regardless, he’s getting high marks from his coaches and teammates, with Steve Sarkisian even noting that Manning is “more than capable” and no longer looks like a true freshman after enrolling early last offseason.

“I joked with him to the other day, it’s like, ‘You’re not really a freshman any more,” Sarkisian recalled. “This is your sophomore year now, okay, so how would it look going into your sophomore year in terms of preparing you to play?” That is exactly what we are doing.” Manning has practiced against Texas’ defense numerous times over the previous year, and they now have a strong feel for him. Veteran safety Jerrin Thompson has seen everything he needs to see from the young QB prodigy in terms of mental toughness. “Arch has always been head down first and work team first,” Thompson told me. “He’s never cared about having a starting role or anything.”

Manning only appeared in two games this season and did not play in his first college game until the regular-season finale against Texas Tech. He concluded the 57-7 triumph by going 2 of 5 passing for 30 yards and running for 12 yards. He subsequently played the final snaps in Texas’ 49-21 Big 12 Championship triumph against Oklahoma State. Even though he has only recently begun to develop veteran quarterback hairs on his chest, the most talked-about backup in the country has showed fans glimpses of what he is capable of. But the coaches and players who have been around him for nearly a year were not surprised.