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Texas Football: 5 takeaways from successful 2018 season

By Andrew Miller

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 01: P.J. Locke III #11 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates with teammates after intercepting a Georgia Bulldogs pass during the second half of the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 01, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 01: P.J. Locke III #11 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates with teammates after intercepting a Georgia Bulldogs pass during the second half of the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 01, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 01: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns avoids a tackle by Richard LeCounte #2 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 01, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 01: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns avoids a tackle by Richard LeCounte #2 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 01, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

2. Sam Ehlinger is worth all the 2019 Heisman hype

The impact Ehlinger had for Texas football at quarterback is going to be felt for a few more years to come. But, the progression Ehlinger showed during his sophomore season was miraculous. He improved his pocket presence, decision making, passing accuracy, and reads in the running game. The ability for Ehlinger to effectively manage the game was the biggest breakthrough as a whole.

Ehlinger’s stat line proved every bit of the breakout season he had. He racked up just shy of 3,800 total yards and 41 touchdowns with only five interceptions. His interceptions were very spotty too, largely thanks to a rough fourth quarter against the Maryland Terrapins and a lingering shoulder injury against a turnover-happy Kansas Jayhawks defense.

Yet, what Ehlinger did this past season was nothing short of amazing, and he’s garnering a good amount of Heisman hype for 2019 because of it. Most early odds lists have Ehlinger as one of the five or 10 favorites to win the 2019 Heisman Trophy. The way he wrapped up the 2018-19 season, with his Sugar Bowl MVP performance in the win over the Georgia Bulldogs, was the best way Ehlinger could head into the 2019 off-season.

The national attention Ehlinger will have next season does create a lot of pressure and responsibility. But, he seems to thrive in those situations. It also opens the door for the opportunity to have the attention and hype required to make it as a Heisman finalist. Most of his fate for next year’s Heisman Trophy relies on how well the Horns do as a team.

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