When the Texas Longhorns signed five-star quarterback Arch Manning – the nephew of Peyton Manning and Eli Manning – most expected that he would take over as the team’s starting quarterback after starter Quinn Ewers left the program. But based on the way backup quarterback Maalik Murphy played on Saturday, that might not be the case after all.
With Quinn Ewers sidelined once again during Saturday’s game against the Kansas State Wildcats, second-year quarterback Maalik Murphy got the start once again over Arch Manning and it didn’t take long for him to make a highlight play.
Early in the first quarter during the matchup against Kansas State, Murphy turned some heads with a long 37-yard touchdown pass to Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to put the Longhorns up 7-0 early.
🗣️ "The Murph put the biscuit in the basket" @TexasFootball strikes first after a perfect throw by Maalik Murphy 🤘🔥 pic.twitter.com/zb9eUfnk3s
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 4, 2023
It was a highlight play, and it led to quite a few reactions on social media as everyone seemed to be suggesting that Manning could soon find himself in the transfer portal with how well Murphy is playing in front of him.
Arch Manning ain’t never seeing the field https://t.co/RO4JIPw9Hk
— Jordan A (@nicekickgod) November 4, 2023
Arch Manning definitely transferring you gotta let Murphy play the rest of the year. https://t.co/prA2sWnJTv
— Davon Evans (@GoodFellah91) November 4, 2023
Arch Manning watching Maalik Murphy take the QB1 spot pic.twitter.com/fAPSG3k34j
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) November 4, 2023
Arch Manning transferring to Alabama is gonna be a crazy headline. https://t.co/8mdMujA7kl
— Deshawn A Pouper (@DeshawnAPouper) November 4, 2023
Arch Manning. You are a Mississippi Rebel.
— The Big Ole Bear (@BigOleBear1310) November 4, 2023
Arch Manning watching Texas’ Maalik Murphy ball out today: pic.twitter.com/M0i3aOtVVu
— betr (@betr) November 4, 2023
Obviously, there’s a long way until next season and we don’t know exactly what’s going to happen, but it looks like the Longhorns might have an interesting quarterback situation on their hands.
