If Buechele can’t go, ‘insane’ Ehlinger up next
True freshman brings linebacker mentality to the QB position
AUSTIN — As much as Texas might need Sam Ehlinger to refrain from succumbing to his base instincts, he might not be able to help himself.
Ehlinger is, as defensive back P.J. Locke delicately put it, “insane.” He brings a brawler’s mentality to the quarterback position. UT loves him for it. But, with sophomore Shane Buechele nursing a bruised throwing shoulder and missing Wednesday’s practice, coach Tom Herman can’t afford to lose Ehlinger, too.
Problem is, the 6-2, 230-pound true freshman fantasizes about demolishing defenders. Ehlinger, who rushed for 2,395 career yards and 35 touchdowns at Austin Westlake, assumes a wrecking ball mentality when he’s forced to zoom out of the pocket.
“He’s a nitty and gritty guy,” Locke said. “He’s a very confident guy. He’s not scared to drop his shoulder at all, even though he plays quarterback.”
Ehlinger’s hardy demeanor is the reason Herman is so smitten. It’s the reason it took months to finally apply the “starter” tag to Buechele. Earning team’s confidence
“He walks with his chest out,” left tackle Connor Williams said, “and that’s good to see a quarterback do, especially at a young age.”
UT (0-1) may need Ehlinger to dial it back a notch if he does end up starting Saturday’s game against San Jose State (1-1). The nuclear option, should Ehlinger and Buechele become simultaneously incapacitated, is receiver Jerrod Heard, who started 10 games at quarterback in 2015 and has been operating as the backup quarterback this week.
Given his experience, Heard could be considered better qualified to lead the Longhorns against the Spartans this weekend. But in Ehlinger, Herman sees vast potential and relentless, borderline maniacal drive. He sees a novice who desperately wants to become a master.
“Is Sam ready? No, not right now,” Herman said. “But he will be. He’s close. He’s as close as any true freshman I’ve ever been around. Him getting these reps this week, he’ll respond. He’ll be ready.”
Of that, Ehlinger’s teammates seem to have no doubt.
Locke believes the freshman is “capable of running the show.” Williams praised his poise and composure. Receiver Collin Johnson extolled the young quarterback’s competitive nature.
“He definitely does not look like a freshman,” Williams said. “He is very mature for his age, and definitely his class. For him to be able to lead our offense as a true freshman, good for him. Just like how Shane did last year.”
These sound like tired platitudes, and in a sense they are, but there exists a legitimate belief in Ehlinger’s ability to step in and lead. Not that the Longhorns have much of a choice if Buechele is too battered to suit up.
“We’re going to trust in anybody we put back there at quarterback,” Williams said Tuesday. “It was probably halfway through practice, and I realized Sam was throwing it and Shane wasn’t even throwing it. We’re going to believe in whoever is back there. We just have to do our job and we’ll perform.” Good time for a debut
If Buechele, who is listed as day to day, can play, he will — so long as it’s not to the detriment of the team.
“He woke up in a lot of pain (following the loss to Maryland),” Herman said. “I’m not going to discount that. This wasn’t a deal where it was the last play of the game and he didn’t go back in. This was something where he was able to finish the game. The doctors have said that rest is the best option right now and just to keep evaluating it every 24 hours or so.”
Fortunately, the schedule is on UT’s side. Had Buechele’s injury, which isn’t considered severe, occurred this week, Herman and offensive coordinator Tim Beck would be prepping Ehlinger for a primetime road game against No. 6 USC.
A home meeting with a middling member of the Mountain West serves as a far more appetizing debut matchup for Ehlinger. Not that facing a national title contender in a famed venue filled with over 90,000 hostile fans would inspire much fear in the teenager.
He is, after all, a bit batty.