Clint Lamb
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Steve Sarkisian has wasted little time establishing himself as a force in Austin. The new Texas head coach has landed multiple high school recruits since joining the program.
His latest get might be his best work so far, though. Five-star quarterback Maalik Murphy committed to the Longhorns on Saturday, and the timing could not be more perfect. If you have a highly coveted quarterback, it’s a great building block for the rest of your class.
On to the next chapter. Committed. #AllGasNoBrakes pic.twitter.com/VKNuApsmcW
— Maalik (@SmvOperator) February 13, 2021
Texas … yeah, they have a good one in Murphy. The Gardena, Calif. native is rated as the nation’s No. 30 overall prospect and No. 2 pro-style quarterback in the class of 2022, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
So, what is the ceiling for this guy? The Longhorns have fielded good quarterbacks since the days of Vince Young. Colt McCoy almost had Texas in a national championship, and Sam Ehlinger was considered an effective college quarterback.
But neither one of those guys had the natural talent of Young, and neither had the talent to be a first-round pick. McCoy has done a nice job becoming a career backup in the NFL, maybe Ehlinger can do the same.
Young’s on-field talent was on a different level, however. And we’ll always wonder how good he could’ve been in the right environment — with the right attitude.
Murphy isn’t a dual-threat player like Young, but he’s mobile and his ceiling as a prospect is up there. Will he ever reach it? That’s the million dollar question, but with Sarkisian as his head coach, I wouldn’t count the young gun out.
Murphy might be one of the most physically gifted quarterback prospects Texas has seen since Young. He’s big (6-foot-5, 225-plus pounds), he possesses a top-shelf arm, and his mobility will allow him to make plays inside and outside the pocket.
This was a home run addition for the Longhorns.
Does this mean the end of any pursuit for the No. 1 player, Quinn Ewers? Probably, and that’s OK. Texas has found its signal-caller of the future.
Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.
I’m not a Longhorn fan but Sam Ellingher was a solid player. Vince Young he was not but absolutely a tough dude.
Agreed. I will go one step further and say I can’t stand the ShortHorns. That being said, Sam Ellingher was an above average college QB. He wasn’t the problem the last few years; it was poor coaching, recruits not panning out and horrible defense that lead to many of Texas’ mediocrity.
Vince Young was awesome.. even in the Pros.
It was Jeff Fisher and the Steve McNair cover up scandal that fried his brain.
“Colt McCoy almost had Texas in a national championship”
Colt McCoy DID get the Longhorns in the 2009 BCS National Championship game. He got hurt and had to watch Garrett Gilbert lose to Bama, giving Saban his first (of many) titles as the Crimson Tide HC.
C’mon man, do better (not a Longhorn fan for the record).
*into
Haha- so Ewers, the highest rated quarterback in the country, was begging for longhorn to take him back after they hired Seven Win Steve, but SWS instead took a guy who has never thrown a high school touchdown. Where do they come up with this stuff? VY was a flop in the nfl and now has been rehired after his wrap sheet. Jokes write themselves in Austin. Rinse, wash, repeat. This has to be a bit. We’re baaack
Cart McCoy was really good with a good surrounding cast. Sam is the toughest QB arguably UT-Aus has ever had. Played after concussed many times. The ou game where he didn’t know where he was and The Kisser nipple twister sent him back in. I wish the best for Sam. He sacrificed for an idiot head coach. Longhorn would agree
Not saying he can’t be good but no way this kid stays a 5-star quarterback. Per Max Prep here is his current HS stats going into senior year.
Texas “5 stars” QB commit…
28/61
314 passing yards
0 TD
3 rushing yards
0 varsity starts
Seems like a great guy to rest Texas’s future on with all the pressure that comes with it.