The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Ehlinger named a Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year semifinalist
11.17.2020 | Football
The senior QB is the third Longhorn to be named a semifinalist for the award.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Football senior QB Sam Ehlinger was named a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, the Witten Award selection committee announced Tuesday. Ehlinger is the third Longhorn to be named a semifinalist for the honor, joining former teammates Brandon Jones (2019) and Andrew Beck (2018).
Ehlinger, a two-time team captain, has thrown for 1,834 yards and 22 touchdowns through seven games this season. He is also the team's leading rusher with 323 yards and seven touchdowns. The Austin native ranks second in total points responsible for (178) and is fourth in passing touchdowns (22). He has totaled at least four touchdowns on four occasions this season, including a pair of six-touchdown games at Texas Tech (5 pass/1 rush) and vs. Oklahoma (2 pass/4 rush). Ehlinger has amassed 122 total touchdowns in his career (90 pass/32 rush), the fifth-most in Big 12 history. He is also one of only three players in FBS history to tally at least 90 passing and 30 rushing touchdowns. In addition, Ehlinger has recorded two game-winning drives this year to bring his total to seven for his career, a mark that is tied with Major Applewhite (1998-2001) for the most in school history.
Off the field, Ehlinger is an enrollee of the prestigious McCombs School of Business at UT, and is a two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree and six-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll. Ehlinger is also extremely active in community service. Among many other efforts, he raised almost $200,000 for charities related to COVID-19 relief through online fundraising. He also contributed his time passing out meals and school materials at the Austin Boys & Girls Club. He has already been named a National Scholar-Athlete and William V. Campbell Trophy finalist by the National Football Foundation, a top-15 candidate for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team in 2020.
An award honoring those that have demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field, the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award will announce three finalists for the honor on Monday, Dec. 16. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony on Feb. 18, 2021, at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
