With Maalik Murphy Out, Texas Longhorns Fans Rally Behind Arch Manning for the Spot in Hopes for Playoff Glory

The Texas Longhorns are preparing for the upcoming playoff game against the undefeated Washington Huskies at the Sugar Bowl. But amidst the preparation, a sudden decision from Texas’ primary backup QB Maalik Murphy to enter the transfer portal has propelled some changes in the Longhorns roster. It will be rookie QB Arch Manning who will take Murphy’s spot as the team’s QB backup. 

The final National Championship game is just one victory away and Texas can’t afford to mess things up. Fans have put forward their thoughts on having Arch Manning as the 2nd QB and the responses are divided. Would Manning be able to fulfill the expectations of his team and fans?

Arch Manning is the primary backup QB at the CFP

Shortly after the announcement of the intention of Maalik Murphy to enter the transfer portal, hot news broke out among Longhorns fans. With Arch Manning entering the CFP as the backup QB to Quinn Ewers, a fan posted on Twitter, “Whoa… this means that if Quinn Ewers opts for the NFL draft, Texas will be looking at #16 Arch Manning as QB1, though Sarkisian will make him earn it. Maalik Murphy deserves a massive thank you for helping Texas when Ewers was recovering.”

There had been rumors that Quinn Ewers could potentially draft for the NFL, but it’s now confirmed that he’ll be playing with the Longhorns for another season. But would Manning be able to pull off his backup duty like Murphy? Maalik Murphy played as the starting QB for the two games that Quinn Ewers sat out due to a shoulder injury. He led his team to victory in both the games he started, finishing the season with 477 yards and three touchdowns.  

Twitter fans react to Arch Manning as Texas’ 2nd QB

It’s a day of mixed emotions and finger-crossing for Texas fans as the CFP looms closer and a change is made in the QB roster. A fan posted, “It’s pretty wild that Arch Manning is going to be UT’s backup QB for the CFP…“

One fan posted their curiosity in a statement, “If Ewers comes back next yr will Arch Manning is bigger question.”

Another user quoted Pete Thamel’s Twitter post on Maalik Murphy’s intent to enter the NCAA transfer portal saying, “Told em Arch Manning got next.”

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Texas’ setup led another fan to comment, “…they probably know better than us how to maneuver through this… That said, I agree.”

 Some fans expressed their excitement over Arch Manning as the new Longhorns QB, saying, “I want to see Arch Manning… Been talking bout for 3 years now (including high school) lets see what he can do.”

It’s not without risk that Arch Manning is entering the CFP as the 2nd QB. He’ll have to prove his worth if he gets a chance to start in the upcoming playoffs as the 12-1 Big 12 champion meets the 13-0 Pac-12 champions. 

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