Texas Football: Todd McShay says Ehlinger will be a ‘gamer’ for the Colts

On the afternoon of May 1, former senior star Texas football quarterback Sam Ehlinger figured out that he would be joining the Indianapolis Colts as their sixth-round pick (217th overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft. Ehlinger is the first Texas quarterback drafted in the actual seven rounds into the NFL since former star Colt McCoy in 2010.

It was the Cleveland Browns that selected the former Longhorns legend McCoy in the third round of the 2010 draft. It’s not very surprising Ehlinger snapped that streak given the plethora of value his versatile and tough skill set offers at the next level. He wasn’t expected to be picked likely until day three, but the chances he went undrafted were slight.

Ehlinger will now be taking his talents to join a Colts quarterback room in the AFC South that also features former Georgia Bulldog and Washington Husky Jacob Eason and North Dakota State Bison and Philadelphia Eagle Carson Wentz. It is certainly an interest-piquing quarterback room that Sam is going to join in Indy, and he should be able to at least compete for backup reps right away.

Most of the takes concerning the Colts drafting of Ehlinger were pretty positive following the pick on day three of the festivities. ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay gave a positive opinion of the pick, and his honest take of what Ehlinger brings to the table for the Colts quarterback room (report per 247Sports).

What Todd McShay had to say on former Texas football QB Sam Ehlinger?

As expected, McShay discussed the ability of Ehlinger to hit on short and intermediate routes, and about his improvement in passing accuracy in the last three years. He also mentioned how Ehlinger is a “gamer” that can make an impact for the Colts if called upon in the near future.

Here’s more on what McShay had to say on Ehlinger joining the Colts.

"You know he can make some of the throws. I think, studying his tape, he’s pretty accurate throwing the deep out and some of those outside throws. It’s the vertical ball that he struggled with. But again, he brings the leadership, the toughness, the mobility even though he only runs a 4.84. He has that presence inside the pocket. He’s gonna break a lot of tackles and extend plays. If he’s shoved into a situation where he has to play in the NFL, he’s the type of gamer who will just find a way to keep his team in it."

Ehlinger is a good quarterback that will have a challenging transition to the next level. But if the improvement he showed during his time on the Forty Acres was any indication, Ehlinger should be able to meet this challenge with the Colts.

Texas finished up last season with a record of 7-3 (5-3 Big 12) under the leadership of Ehlinger at quarterback and former head coach Tom Herman. Back on Jan. 2, former Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian took over for Herman as the next Texas head coach.