When it comes to the NFL Draft quarterbacks are always the most talked about position. In a passing league, if you don’t have a quarterback then you don’t have much of a shot to compete. This is the same at the collegiate level as well. For the Longhorns, there are varying opinions on how Sam Ehlinger fits at the next level. 247 Sports and the Athletic recently dove into quarterback talk for the 2021 NFL Draft and Ehlinger was among the players discussed.
Ehlinger enters the season as one of the more well-established commodities among senior quarterbacks. The Austin native has started a ton of games for the Longhorns and we should have good grip on Ehlinger’s skill set by this point. He’s known for his toughness and ability as a power runner but has also been a solidly efficient passer. Ehlinger’s performance has been up and down over the years. As a fourth year senior, he’ll get a last crack to really break through under new offensive coordinator Mike Yurchich. – Charles Power (247 Sports)
“I like Ehlinger. Before the LSU game (Week 2 in 2019), I didn’t really like him. But I kept watching him, and I like him a lot. He’s not big enough, though, to play the way he plays in college. If he tries to play like that in the NFL, he’ll get hurt. Tebow was even bigger than him and he tried that and he was really beat up. But if he can continue to develop as a passer he has a chance. He has enough of an arm.” NFL assistant coach via The Athletic
“Ehlinger is a good athlete. But he still has some work to do as a thrower. I think with him right now, the sum is greater than the parts.” – Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network
“I love Ehlinger. I think he’s a better throwing Tim Tebow, and he’ll come into the NFL at a perfect time. I wouldn’t be surprised if a team falls in love with him. He’s a great teammate, a physical runner, really driven and motivated, and we’ve seen him grow and keep getting better and he has developed as a passer.” – Dan Orlovsky
“The three players who stand out the most who check all the measurables boxes, along with a strong statistical production to warrant discussion for a possible first-round pick next year are Sam Ehlinger, Tanner Morgan and Trey Lance.” Richner, who leans heavily on his analytics studies, said, “Ehlinger is highly efficient on third down. He had an average of 8.2 Adjusted Yards Per Attempt on 3rd Down last season.” -Matthew Richner, NFL Draft consultant
Some like Sam Ehlinger’s chances but then there are those are flat out saying no to him as a NFL quarterback.
Yes: Brice, Mills, Trask, Clifford and Morgan. Maybe: Newman and Purdy. No: Brennan, Ehlinger, Thompson-Robinson, Mond, Martinez, Milton. – Former NFL quarterback via The Athletic
It is virtually impossible for everyone to agree on draft prospects. It all comes down to what is your flavor of ice cream. There are different ways to play the position and all Sam Ehlinger needs is for one team to believe in him. Provided there is a 2020 college football season, Ehlinger will have the opportunity to raise his stock heading into the 2021 NFL Draft process.