Texas Football: Predicting Longhorns’ Week 1 two-deep depth chart

Running back

Starter: Jonathon Brooks (RS-SO)

Backup: CJ Baxter Jr. (FR)

Running back was one of the more notable position battles for the Longhorns early in fall camp. Redshirt sophomore Jonathon Brooks won the starting job at running back a few weeks ago. Backing him up will be true freshman talent CJ Baxter Jr.

Brooks and Baxter have the potential to be one of the best running back duos in the Big 12 this season. We could also see redshirt senior running back Keilan Robinson and sophomore Jaydon Blue get a heavy dose of reps out of the backfield early in the season.

Quarterback

Starter: Quinn Ewers (RS-SO)

Backup: Maalik Murphy (RS-FR)

Ewers had the starting quarterback job solidified heading into fall camp this offseason. Ewers has much better command of the offense this fall than last year. This is his offense to lead in his second year as the starting quarterback after losing standout running backs Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson this offseason.

Backing up Ewers will either be redshirt freshman quarterback Maalik Murphy or true freshman Arch Manning. Coming out of spring ball, Murphy was the favorite to win the backup quarterback job. But Manning has come on strong in the last couple of weeks of fall practice.

The backup quarterback battle will likely spill into the season, with Arch and Murphy both set to get reps against Rice and Wyoming during the non-conference slate.