Sam Ehlinger readies for next challenge, Longhorns QB battle

Austin, Texas, four-star quarterback Sam Ehlinger was sharp and in command of his Westlake 7-on-7 side last Friday as it qualified for a berth in the state 7-on-7 tournament next month.

Ehlinger has worked a busy spring schedule, participating in the Steve Clarkson Quarterback Retreat in southern California and earned an invitation to The Opening Finals after strong showings at its regional camps in Houston and New Jersey. Ehlinger also was one of the Top 12 quarterbacks chosen from the group of 24 invited to the Elite 11.

“I thought I did alright, could’ve done a lot better,” he said. “But just to get the reps, the quality of the reps and the coaching I got was outstanding.”

Ehlinger’s place among the top-tier quarterbacks in the 2017 class isn’t in question, but he is hoping to replicate the success he had in his recent local 7-on-7 tourney on a much bigger stage in Oregon during the second weekend in July.

“It’s the ultimate of the ultimate with the elite of the elite,” he said. “Doesn’t get any better than that, so I am looking forward to it, gonna have a lot of fun out there and winning that 7-on-7 tournament.”

Talking Texas:

Ehlinger attended Texas’ June 12 camp and said that things continue to stay positive between him and the Longhorns.

“Things have been great,” he said. “I love Coach (Sterlin) Gilbert and I’m looking forward to the fall, they’re gonna be doing big things and I love everything about them.”

While there is optimism for what Shane Buechele will bring to the quarterback position in 2016, Ehlinger isn’t worried about what that might mean for his opportunity to compete once he gets on campus.

“He’s a great passer, a really good passer, he’s very accurate and puts the ball on the money,” he said. “I think he could do a good job in that offense throwing the ball around the field and putting the ball where he needs to.

“I feel like we’re similar when it comes to our accuracy for sure,” he continued. “We’re both very accurate passers, come from good offenses, lots of spread stuff, but I think that I have an edge on him with my size and running ability.”

In fact, Ehlinger is banking on his potency as runner to be the difference between Buechele and himself. He said that it’s been explained to him that he’ll have the chance to compete from the start and is anticipating enrolling early to get a jump on things.

“That’s kind of what’s been known and what’s been discussed in my relationship with the coaching staff,” he said. “I’m graduating early, so I’m looking forward to getting in there.”

Adding Weapons:

Ehlinger is naturally working to help Texas secure some more players for this year’s class, but wasn’t interested in tipping his hand as to which players he’s currently working on. No doubt his Westlake teammate, four-star outside linebacker Levi Jones is part of that shortlist and being at The Opening gives him some face-time with top in-state targets like Baron Browning, Walker Little and Omar Manning as well.

The dots there aren’t hard to connect, but confirmation of as much will have to wait as Ehlinger will only go so far as to say his targets are “confidential.”