Key quote: "It feels great. It's an awesome feeling," Ehlinger said.
Quick decision or wait it out?: Ehlinger said he really doesn't have an idea on how this will play out. A quick commitment cannot be ruled out if Ehlinger feels it's the right fit, but he could also take his time and continue to evaluate his options.
"I think I'm just probably going to .. I don't know... I think I feel like if I want to commit, I'll just feel it, I'll know."
An eventful Sunday: Fans have been waiting for this offer ever since Ehlinger put on a terrific display at Texas' Elite Quarterback Academy in mid-June. After another good camp performance on Saturday night, Ehlinger was told to call the UT coaches on Sunday. He did, and the offer was presented.
"Yesterday, after the camp, I talked to coach Strong and coach Watson," Ehlinger said. "They told me to give them a call, they couldn't talk recruiting at the camp. I talked to coach Watson today around 1, he said they were going to offer me. He said they've had this offer in mind for a while, and he was able to extend it. He told me I'm the one guy, they're not going to offer anyone else, he wants me to keep in touch with them on what's going on.
"Then I talked to coach Strong. He said, 'Did you talk to coach Watson?' I said 'Yes sir' and he told me congratulations. He said to call him back later."
Waiting to talk to family: Ehlinger's mother was travelling on Sunday so they've only had time to talk on the phone, but they'll undoubtedly talk more when she gets home. He said he did talk to Westlake head coach Todd Dodge, who was "pumped about the offer."
No timetable: Ehlinger wasn't ready to commit tonight but he didn't sound like a pledge was out of the question, so I asked him if he had a date on when he'd like to know if he'll either make an early decision or officially decide to keep the process open. It'll basically come down to a gut feel, he said.
"Not at all," Ehlinger said when asked about a timeframe. "I think it will be something that I'll just feel, be a decision that will be easy for me because that's where I want to be."
Ehlinger has no other plans for visits, saying he'll probably keep his focus on Westalke football for the remainder of the summer.
My thoughts: Love the offer. Love it. Ehlinger's an easy kid to root for. He's extremely mature and has handled himself like a true professional through the early part of the recruiting process, despite a couple moments that probably didn't go exactly the way he was hoping (including not getting an offer after a recent unofficial visit to UT). Through it all, Ehlinger has kept his head down, kept working and let his actions on the field do the talking.
Ehlinger helped lead Westlake to a Texas State 7-on-7 title earlier this month, which came on the heals of a dominating performance at the Drew Brees Passing Academy, where Westlake also won the 7-on-7 competition.
The doubters will get hung up on Ehlinger's size (he goes about 6-1), and while everyone wants the next Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, in the game of college football, field awareness, accuracy and leadership are as important as size. Ehlinger has the characteristics in spades, as well as adequate arm strength to make the necessary throws.
Video: Sam Ehlinger sophomore highlights
