Opposing Player to Watch: Sam Ehlinger

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger doesn’t need any extra motivation. The Longhorns are trying to make their way to the Big 12 Title game, and they have seemingly hit their stride, winning three straight games after back-to-back losses to TCU and Oklahoma. Yet Ehlinger has even more to play for - after four seasons of football for Texas, Friday marks his last-ever start in Austin.

Look out.

Ehlinger has been steady all season, completing 58.8 percent of his pass attempts for 22 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has not thrown an interception in over a month, since the Longhorns’ win over Baylor on Oct. 24, and has rushed 90 times for 323 yards this season. One other thing to call attention to — BEWARE OF THE TRICK PLAY — Ehlinger has at least two receptions in every season he has played since 2017, but does not have any this year.

Ehlinger is as confident as they come, and maintains his composure in the pocket while allowing the play to develop, as seen in both of his touchdown passes vs. West Virginia. You can see them below at the :45 second and 3:35 marks below:

Though he’s not the typical scrambling quarterback, he can get it done on the ground when it needs to be done. Emotions will be running rampant, and the Cyclones will have their hands full while trying to win in Austin for the first time since 2010, and against Texas for just the fourth-ever time.

Buckle up.