The 2019 college football season ended for the Texas Longhorns on a high note, thanks in no small part due to the play of junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger. When you look at the five best passing seasons in Texas history there are only two names listed, Ehlinger and Colt McCoy. Against Utah, the former Austin Westlake product threw for 201 yards to put him in second all-time. McCoy still holds the record with 3,859 yards in 2008 and Ehlinger finishes his junior season with 3,663 yards.
With his second quarter touchdown pass to Collin Johnson, Sam became only the second Texas quarterback ever to throw for 30 touchdowns in a single season. The other, Colt McCoy, was in attendance as an honorary captain for the Texas Longhorns.
Should Ehlinger return in 2020 as a senior, he has a shot to match McCoy’s all-time Texas passing record. In four seasons, Colt passed for 13,253 yards. Sam would need 4,383 yards to match it. With a new offensive coordinator for Texas in Mike Yurcich, it might be possible. His quarterback this year only threw for 3,273 yards but that offense was led by coordinator Kevin Wilson. Yurcich’s offense could put more of premium on throwing for Texas.
With a 73-yard performance on the ground Ehlinger is inching ever so closely to third place on the all-time rushing list at quarterback. In his career, Sam has 1,526 yards just 45 yards shy of Colt McCoy. Ehlinger will need 437 yards next season to match Marty Akins to become second all-time in Texas history. Without going bonkers with 2,000 yards rushing, Ehlinger won’t be able to catch Vince Young.
All in all, it was a good season for Ehlinger who looks to raise his game again should he return in 2020. Sam has until January 17th to decide on his future of football at Texas or to make the jump to the NFL.