Texas Football: Who’s Sam Ehlinger’s backup QB?

Who deserves it?

You’d figure the obvious decision for this slotting on the quarterback depth chart would be Thompson given he has at least been on campus for one year and got some game action in last year’s spring football game. But, this decision is more complicated than just that short level of experience at the college ranks.

We’ll just go ahead and state that Saxton would need a miracle to overcome Johnson and Thompson on the depth chart. He could eventually work his way up. And, who knows what will happen with the Texas quarterback room in the coming seasons with how the NCAA Transfer Portal has taken over college football off-season.

However, the clear path to the eventual starting job will either by Thompson’s or Johnson’s for the taking. Thompson should be the more developed thrower of the two, and the more consistent and refined. But, Johnson is a very potent threat with his legs and can get in rhythm with some ability in the short passing game.

What could give Johnson the leg up, outside of enrolling early, is how similar the offense he ran at Port Neches Groves is to Herman and Beck’s. He should eventually get the spotting over Thompson. But for now, we’ll go with Thompson over Johnson since he does have some exposure to the daily routine of a successful quarterback like Ehlinger on the Forty Acres and he is still a talented player with a very high ceiling.