Editor’s note: This article was first published in the August 9, 2022 flip book. 

Entering the 2022 football season, redshirt freshman quarterback Quinn Ewers or sophomore quarterback Hudson Card will lead a revitalized Texas passing attack. But no matter who leads the charge this year, the arrival of top 2023 recruit Arch Manning means the quarterback position on the Forty Acres is just about set for the next several years.

There’s just one flaw with that premise. Many have seemingly forgotten about another talented quarterback on Texas’ roster: freshman Maalik Murphy.

Not too long ago, the former four-star recruit was the only quarterback committed to Texas’ 2022 class, and many thought he’d be the Longhorns’ quarterback of the future. Public perception has since changed after Ewers transferred from Ohio State in December and Manning committed in June.

What hasn’t changed is Murphy’s talent at the quarterback position.

“We’ve had eight quarterbacks in a row sign DI college scholarships,” said Scott Altenberg, Murphy’s high school coach. “He’s as talented as anyone I’ve ever coached.” 

While talent evaluators like 247Sports’ Mike Roach understood Murphy’s enormous physical upside, the main cause for concern coming out of Junipero Serra High School in California was a lack of game experience. 

“Because of the way COVID played out in California, it kind of cost him his junior season,” said Roach, who covers Texas football and recruiting. “All the tools are there to be developed, … and I think that if he really embraces that (developmental) process, he can compete with anybody in the country.”

Murphy understands he has natural talent and likens his throwing ability to some of the most physically talented NFL quarterbacks. In an interview with The Draft Network in June, Murphy pointed to the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert as professional players he plays similarly to.

“The physical tools really stand out. His arm talent is as good as there has been at the high school level,” Roach said. “Maalik (Murphy) really didn’t take a backseat to anybody when it came to just pure arm talent.”

While Murphy’s physical talents throwing the football are well-documented, Altenberg and Roach also applauded numerous other aspects of Murphy’s game and character.

“His desire to just keep getting better is probably the number one thing about him,” Altenberg said. “That’s why I feel really good about his next level.”

Roach also touched on Murphy as a person off the field, describing his loose and fun nature when seeing him interact with teammates during the recruiting cycle.

“He likes to goof around a lot; he likes to have a lot of fun,” Roach said. “He’s always loose. He’s always smiling. … As far as kids I’ve ever covered, he’s as good as they come.” 

Growing up in California, Murphy dreamed of playing quarterback at Junipero Serra High School. Even though he had the talent and opportunity to play for local California powerhouse high schools in Mater Dei or St. John Bosco, Murphy chose to stick with Junipero Serra and lead them to a state championship his senior year.

“In an age where we see guys go to these high school superteams, Maalik (Murphy) was the one that stayed loyal to Serra and brought it home for them,” Roach said.

With the transfer portal opening up opportunities for college athletes to switch schools more easily, loyalty to one’s team is more appreciated than ever. Murphy could have decommitted from Texas and sought other opportunities with Ewers’ transfer, but the quarterback stayed locked into his commitment.

While much of the outside noise focuses on Ewers and Card this year and Manning in coming years, don’t count out the talented quarterback from California if his former coach has anything to say about it.

“Get ready for a guy who’s gonna work really hard,” Altenberg said. “He’s super talented. He’s confident, but he’s gonna earn his shot.”