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Through his college career - but especially when Sam Ehlinger became a national name leading Texas’ offense - Ehlinger has been compared to former Florida standout Tim Tebow.
Tebow was the first sophomore to ever win the Heisman Trophy. The former five-star quarterback won two national titles at Florida, albeit one in a reserve role. He was arguably the best college quarterback of all-time after he finished his time with the Gators.
And now the comparisons to Ehlinger.
During his four years at Florida, Tebow threw for 9,285 yards with 88 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He also rushed for 2,947 yards with 57 more scores.
Ehlinger has thrown for 40 TDs and 12 interceptions in two seasons and one game with the Longhorns and has rushed for 901 yards and 18 touchdowns during that stretch.
Both measure in at around 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds.
And maybe more important than anything - and why the comparison could make sense - is the sense that Tebow and Ehlinger have risked life and limb to lead their team to victories. They are also both dual-threat quarterbacks who are relentless competitors and beloved by their fan bases.
Tebow was a first-round NFL Draft pick, but his pro career did not work out and he is now pursuing a baseball career. Ehlinger might not be a first-round projection, but it’s still early and a big season could get him in that discussion. Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, Oregon’s Justin Herbert, Georgia’s Jake Fromm and Washington’s Jacob Eason have received more first-round talk.
FARRELL'S TAKE
We ask Rivals National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell - with the big Texas-LSU matchup coming up this weekend - whether he sees the comparisons between Tebow and Ehlinger, and also if the Longhorns QB could have a productive NFL career ahead of him.
“I like Ehlinger a lot, but the Tebow comparisons are a bit much. Let’s not forget that Tim Tebow will go down as one of the greatest college football players ever and the things he did at Florida are hard to match. Ehlinger would need to win a Heisman and a national title to even draw a comparison, despite his running ability and leadership skills.
"As for his pro chances, he could have a very good NFL career, and Tebow was robbed of that chance because he was such a big name and a distraction. Ehlinger won’t have that issue and could be a serviceable NFL quarterback for many years. Don’t get me wrong: I like Ehlinger a lot, but Tebow is a legend.”
