Texas Football: Could Sam Ehlinger return for his senior season?

Senior Texas football star signal caller Sam Ehlinger doesn’t seem to have his mind made up yet on his 2021 NFL Draft decision.

Most would not think that he would at this point of his college career. But there is still apparently a possibility that senior star Texas football quarterback Sam Ehlinger could come back to the Forty Acres for one more season. Ehlinger could be a day two pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but who knows which route he will take at the moment.

On the afternoon of Dec. 23, Ehlinger talked on the possibility of him returning to the Forty Acres for one more season in media availability. Ehlinger was considered to be gone following the 2020 season, since his 2021 NFL Draft stock is still doing pretty good by most indications.

He mentioned in media availability this week that he “hasn’t closed the door on anything yet” when asked about coming back for the extra year of availability made possible by the NCAA ruling earlier in the year. Anyone playing in the 2020 college football season will be allowed to return for at least one more year if they choose to do so.

Ehlinger also stated that this is a “big life decision” for him when he ultimately decides to weigh the factors on deciding to come back to the Forty Acres or declare for the 2021 NFL Draft. Prior to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the thought of Ehlinger coming back for one more year was unheard of. Unless, of course, there was a medical redshirt at play. But that is obviously not the case here.

After getting off to a red hot start statistically this fall, Ehlinger did slow down as the season waned. But he did figure out how to best manage the offense and take care of the football. Managing turnovers was a key to the Longhorns winning games this fall.

As that does seem like an obvious x-factor, Ehlinger having to save the day late in games wasn’t the best strategy for head coach Tom Herman and offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich.

In nine games played for Texas so far this season, Ehlinger registered a 60.1 completion percentage, 2,406 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also amassed 8.8 adjusted yards per passing attempt and a 149.9 passer efficiency rating.

The production on the ground was solid for Ehlinger again. He amassed 382 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns through the regular season.

Ehlinger will have the opportunity to add to his stat line when the Longhorns take on the Colorado Buffaloes in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29. Kick off time for the Alamo Bowl between Texas and Colorado is set for 8 p.m. CT.

Moreover, Ehlinger and the Longhorns finished up the regular season with a record of 6-3 (5-3 Big 12), with their last outing resulting in a dominating 69-31 win over the Kansas State Wildcats on the road on Dec. 5. If he does leave early, Ehlinger would be leaving the quarterback room thin on depth next year, with redshirt sophomore Casey Thompson as the likely next starter.