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First look at the top 10 Heisman Trophy candidates for 2019

By Cody Williams

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 07: Alabama Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa poses with the Heisman Trophy at the New York Stock Exchange on December 7, 2018 at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 07: Alabama Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa poses with the Heisman Trophy at the New York Stock Exchange on December 7, 2018 at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 01: Texas (11) Sam Ehlinger (QB) looks over the defense in the Big 12 Championship Game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns on December 1st at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by John Bunch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 01: Texas (11) Sam Ehlinger (QB) looks over the defense in the Big 12 Championship Game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns on December 1st at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by John Bunch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

7. Sam Ehlinger, QB, Texas

Though it looked a bit hairy at times throughout the year, it’s safe to say that the Texas Longhorns are back. Tom Herman’s team played in the Big 12 Championship Game and put forth a tremendous effort in trying to topple the Oklahoma Sooners. They fell short, but being in that position is a huge step forward from where they’ve been. And a massive reason why the Longhorns are back is quarterback Sam Ehlinger.

After being slowed by injuries throughout the 2017 season while showing some flashes, Ehlinger came out this season and looked the part of a star for Texas. The Austin native was big time for the 2018 season as he threw for 3,123 yards while completing 64.3 percent of his throws. Furthermore, Ehlinger threw 25 touchdown passes on the year and only gave away five interceptions.

Not to be outdone, Ehlinger also did damage this season with his legs. The Texas quarterback rushed the ball 143 times on the year and, though he only amassed 418 yards on the season, the big man found the end zone 13 times with his legs. He’s a gamer that can come up in big moments and he proved that time and again with his skill and toughness at quarterback.

With the high profile of the Longhorns, Ehlinger leading them to success should vault him into the conversation. If he can once again take a big step forward in the 2019 season and really prove that he’s got Texas back in the national spotlight, the quarterback will be under consideration for the Heisman.

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