Texas Football: Ranking Sam Ehlinger’s 5 best teammates so far
Honorable mentions
One area of positional need for the Longhorns in terms of development since Ehlinger arrived on campus was pretty much along the entirety of the offensive line. Wide receiver and running back play got better over time around this star signal caller. But the offensive line play does look to be getting better heading into the coming season.
Sam Cosmi, Offensive Tackle
A rare consistent bright spot along the offensive line during Ehlinger’s career on the Forty Acres is rising redshirt junior offensive tackle Sam Cosmi. As a possible top 10 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Cosmi is as close to a sure thing that Texas will get on his side of the line. Cosmi has started in 26 games with the Longhorns, raking in Freshman All-American honors, All-Big 12 selection, and honorable mention Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2019.
Collin Johnson, Wide Receiver
If not for nagging injury issues, ex-senior starting wide receiver Collin Johnson might be further up on this list. Johnson was a true standout for the Longhorns, when he was healthy. During his four years playing for the Longhorns, Johnson registered 188 catches for 2,624 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was a fifth round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Charles Omenihu, Defensive End
Turning the attention to the defensive side of the ball, the Longhorns had a pretty stout group in the front seven under former defensive coordinator Todd Orlando in his first two years on campus. That group along the front seven in 2017 and 2018 was largely spearheaded on the line by former Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the year, defensive end Charles Omenihu. He led the way in 2018 with 18.0 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.
Gary Johnson, Linebacker
The front seven would not have been the same in 2017 and 2018 for the Longhorns without the vastly underrated play of former JUCO transfer linebacker Gary Johnson. This 2018 All-Big 12 honoree registered 147 total tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in just 23 games played in 2017 and 2018.