On Thursday afternoon, Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman reported that Texas linebacker Jake Ehlinger was found dead.
The tragic news devastated the community.
Jake, the 20-year-old younger brother of former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger, was entering his third season on the Forty Acres. He joined the Longhorns in 2019 as a walk-on under former head coach Tom Herman.
No cause of death was released and police stated that the death was not considered suspicious.
Unfortunately, the Ehlinger family has been struck by tragedy before. Ross Ehlinger passed away in 2013 during a triathlon in San Francisco from a heart attack at age 46.
Both Sam and Jake dreamed of playing for the Longhorns after growing up as season-ticket holders. “Jake was a tremendous person and was everything you could ask for in a student-athlete. Being a Longhorn meant everything to him, and he truly embodied all that it means to be one,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian shared.
Our condolences go out to the Ehlinger family during this horrific time. On the next page, numerous players and coaches share their heartfelt thoughts on Jake’s tragic death.