Sam Ehlinger makes decision on return to Texas or declare for NFL Draft

Texas football quarterback Sam Ehlinger has made his decision on whether he will return to the Longhorns for another year or declare for the NFL Draft.

Sam Ehlinger was a senior but the Texas football star quarterback had the option to return to Austin due to the NCAA not tolling a year of eligibility in the weird 2020 season. Ehlinger said before the Alamo Bowl win vs. Colorado that he was undecided on what to do next year.

After leaving the Alamo Bowl with an injury, it wasn’t the ideal way for which Ehlinger would want to go out so perhaps there was some renewed optimism that he would return for a sixth year.

However, according to Anwar Richardson, Ehlinger has made his decision to forego a sixth season and will declare for the NFL Draft.

Sam Ehlinger left his mark on the Texas football program

Ehlinger was one of the better college quarterbacks over the last few years and one of the few bright spots for Tom Herman‘s team. Despite his accolades and accomplishments for the Texas football program, there are doubts about his skill-set translating to the NFL. Ehlinger lacks the throwing skills and mechanics to be a top pick as a passer, so that was another reason why Ehlinger returning to Texas could have made sense.

In the end, Ehlinger will end his career as one of the best Texas football quarterbacks of all time behind Vince Young and Colt McCoy. He may not be a high pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but he’ll likely get a chance to make a team’s roster and contribute after he gets some coaching and seasoning. Perhaps he can work his way into a scheme with his running ability and play a Taysom Hill-type roll for the team that ends up drafting/signing him.

With Ehlinger reportedly leaving, that leaves sophomore Casey Thompson as the likely starter for Texas next season. Thompson threw for four touchdowns in relief of Ehlinger in the Alamo Bowl.

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