With it likely that Maalik Murphy will be under center on Saturday for the Texas Longhorns versus the BYU Cougars, Texas players were asked Monday what they had seen and what they expect from Murphy should he make his first career start.
Here’s what they had to say.
Xavier Worthy
+ “Maalik is always the same Maalik. Maalik has always been ready for the role, just in case anything happened. Now that it happened, I feel like he’s ready for that role.”
+ “He’s just a confident person. I feel like he just has that confidence regardless of what’s going on. I feel like he’s just going to do what he needs to do and execute at a high level.”
+ He’s got a rocket arm.”
Jahdae Barron
+ “I feel like he’ll run the ball a little bit more. I like that about him, but his size allows him to get the ball out there. He likes to zip it. They like to throw a little bit different; Quinn (Ewers) has a touch, Maalik is kind of a fastball person. Y’all will see, he has a lot of power. He’s a strong, athletic kid.”
Michael Taaffe
+ “He’s the first one in the building, last one out. I think everybody would say the same thing. Hands down one of the hardest workers on our team. I think his confidence in himself to just know he can make every throw on the field is really, really cool. The other thing is, the whole locker room loves him. Everybody in the locker room would say that they have a personal connection with Maalik. That’s really cool. He’s not a people pleaser but he’s a positive guy. Everybody attracts towards him, wants to be around him, and wants to be his friend. That’s really cool as a teammate.”
+ “He knows that we’re behind him and that we’re rooting for him. The defense will make sure we help and take off a load from him so he can play freely. I know the offense is behind him with that.”
Jonathon Brooks
+ “We practice for these moments, and I feel like he’s ready for the moment. He practices week in and week out like the starter. He’s the first one in the facility, last one out. He does all the extra work, and I think he’s mentally ready for it.”
+ “Maalik, he knows the offense just like Quinn does. He can make throws Quinn makes. (We’re) making sure we instill confidence in him, letting him know he can get the job done, and that we’ll be there to back him up.”
Jaylan Ford
+ “He does a good job of understanding, especially as the quarterback, that people are going to listen to what he has to say. He knows how to do the right thing and say the right thing.”
Christian Jones
+ “I think he’s ready because of the work he’s put in behind the scenes every single day in the offseason. He’s always the last one to leave the facility, the locker room, the weight room, putting in extra work. I feel like the moment is not too big for him. I feel like he’s ready for it. I know as a unit, (and) as an offensive lineman myself, we’re going do everything in our power to give him ample time and make him as comfortable as possible to succeed in that position.”
David Gbenda
+ “He’s a good dude. He has a really good arm, and he has a leadership quality about him. He’s very charismatic. He’s competitive. If he gets the deep ball on you, he’s going to let you know that he does. I like that energy about him. He showcases his arm many times at practice. I’m very confident and happy for the opportunity that’s in front of him.”
