5. Sam Ehlinger, Texas (6-1, 224)
Best trait: Competitive grit
Ehlinger doesn’t have the speed of Lamar Jackson or twitch of Murray, but his instincts and competitive toughness as an athlete are what makes him a dangerous dual-threat player. He is physical through contact and sturdy in the pocket, willing to hang and deliver before taking a shot.
Due to his unique skill set, the Longhorns emphasize pocket movement in their zone read scheme, allowing Ehlinger to showcase his arm and legs. His competitive grit is not only the central ingredient that allows Texas’ offense to move the chains, but it is also the key trait that will appeal to NFL play callers as a prospect.
Must improve: Passing rhythm
While his passing production and consistency have improved each season, Ehlinger is still learning the fine details of reading defenses and completing passes. Similar to Tim Tebow when he was at Florida, Ehlinger has fantastic instincts and toughness as an athlete, but introducing better rhythm from snap to release is something that remains a work in progress.
This third-down play against Louisiana Tech illustrates what Ehlinger does best and where he needs to improve. With his eyes downfield, he lured the free rusher into the pocket before escaping at the final moment, giving himself green grass to scramble and reset his eyes. He located his receiver and fired a seed on the move for the first down.
While Ehlinger is clearly comfortable relying on his mobility to deliver off platform, his overall passing rhythm remains inconsistent. Despite the throw resulting in a first down, wide receiver Collin Johnson needed every inch of his 6-foot-6 frame to complete the grab. That play would have been an incomplete pass in the NFL and resulted in a punt.
2020 season/2021 NFL Draft outlook
When I started my scouting deep dive this summer, I didn’t expect Ehlinger to be among my top five draft-eligible quarterbacks. However, his film swayed me because of his control of the offense and competitive toughness.
Like most college offenses in the modern era, there are a lot of one-read, horizontal throws on his tape, but Ehlinger has gradually improved as a downfield passer and offers several traits NFL coaches will want to work with. While the Tebow comparisons have merit, I see more of a Jalen Hurts-style player due to their mobility, toughness and intangibles. And, like Hurts, Ehlinger has a chance to be a top-100 draft pick if he continues to improve as a senior.
Best trait: Competitive grit
Ehlinger doesn’t have the speed of Lamar Jackson or twitch of Murray, but his instincts and competitive toughness as an athlete are what makes him a dangerous dual-threat player. He is physical through contact and sturdy in the pocket, willing to hang and deliver before taking a shot.
Due to his unique skill set, the Longhorns emphasize pocket movement in their zone read scheme, allowing Ehlinger to showcase his arm and legs. His competitive grit is not only the central ingredient that allows Texas’ offense to move the chains, but it is also the key trait that will appeal to NFL play callers as a prospect.
Must improve: Passing rhythm
While his passing production and consistency have improved each season, Ehlinger is still learning the fine details of reading defenses and completing passes. Similar to Tim Tebow when he was at Florida, Ehlinger has fantastic instincts and toughness as an athlete, but introducing better rhythm from snap to release is something that remains a work in progress.
This third-down play against Louisiana Tech illustrates what Ehlinger does best and where he needs to improve. With his eyes downfield, he lured the free rusher into the pocket before escaping at the final moment, giving himself green grass to scramble and reset his eyes. He located his receiver and fired a seed on the move for the first down.
While Ehlinger is clearly comfortable relying on his mobility to deliver off platform, his overall passing rhythm remains inconsistent. Despite the throw resulting in a first down, wide receiver Collin Johnson needed every inch of his 6-foot-6 frame to complete the grab. That play would have been an incomplete pass in the NFL and resulted in a punt.
2020 season/2021 NFL Draft outlook
When I started my scouting deep dive this summer, I didn’t expect Ehlinger to be among my top five draft-eligible quarterbacks. However, his film swayed me because of his control of the offense and competitive toughness.
Like most college offenses in the modern era, there are a lot of one-read, horizontal throws on his tape, but Ehlinger has gradually improved as a downfield passer and offers several traits NFL coaches will want to work with. While the Tebow comparisons have merit, I see more of a Jalen Hurts-style player due to their mobility, toughness and intangibles. And, like Hurts, Ehlinger has a chance to be a top-100 draft pick if he continues to improve as a senior.
