Texas head coach looks to young QBs against BYU after Ewers' injury

AUSTIN, Texas - Texas Longhorns head football coach Steve Sarkisian said the most important position in sports is the quarterback. Now, he and his No. 7 ranked Longhorns may be without theirs for a bit.

There is no definitive update on quarterback Quinn Ewers' injured throwing shoulder.

"Quinn Ewers and Ethan Burke will be week-to-week. You never know how bodies will respond," said Sarkisian.

That said, Sarkisian sounds ready to roll with redshirt freshman Maalik Murphy and true freshman Arch Manning against BYU.

"If the game was today, Maalik would be the starter," Sarkisian said.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 21: Quinn Ewers #3 of the Texas Longhorns wears a sling while congratulating Adonai Mitchell #5 after a touchdown in the second half against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on October 21, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo b

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While Manning came to the 40 with more fanfare, Murphy got here a full year before him. That redshirt season allowed the 6'5, 240 pound, big-armed QB to soak up Sarkisian's system, and put on a show at DKR back in April's Orange & White game. 

The deep ball UT fans saw during that game was just one of the things Sarkisian likes about the talented Californian.

"[Maalik] throws a good ball. Leadership qualities and understanding of what we are doing is another," Sarkisian said.

"Arch and Maalik will get a lot of reps. Arch has played really well," he added.

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And the approach with both of these young quarterbacks will be simple, a straight forward one.

"What does Maalik do well? What does Arch do well? [We] find that out, then devise a plan that incorporates that. It's important that they get confidence early. These guys are elite competitors. Saturday is going to be a test enough. I want to test 'em on things I know they know," said Sarkisian.

Whoever gets the nod at quarterback will get to start things off at home Saturday, Oct. 28 at 2:30 p.m. against BYU.

It's a matchup the UT defense should be licking its chops for, as the Cougars come in with the Big 12's worst offense, averaging just over 300 yards per game.