The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Ehlinger drafted by Indianapolis Colts
05.01.2021 | Football
Football’s Sam Ehlinger was selected in the sixth round with the 218th overall pick.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Football's Sam Ehlinger was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the 218th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft on Friday.
Ehlinger becomes the seventh Texas quarterback to be selected in the NFL Draft, and the first since Colt McCoy in 2010. In addition, he is the fourth Longhorn to be taken by the Indianapolis Colts. Previously, the Colts selected defensive back Craig Curry (1984), tight end Kerry Cash (1991) and defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway (2016) out of Texas.
In 2020, Ehlinger was the winner of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. He was also a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, Wuerffel Trophy and Bobby Bowden Trophy. In addition, he was selected to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, named the Big 12 Co-Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year and recognized as a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose awards. He was also a Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top-10 Candidate and earned second-team All-Big 12 recognition from the league's coaches. Ehlinger was a three-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team selections (2018-20) and a six-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Ehlinger, an Austin native, ended his collegiate career as one of the most successful quarterbacks in Texas history. He played in 46 games and made 43 starts during his time on the Forty Acres, leading the Longhorns to 27 wins as the starting quarterback – the fourth-most in school history. Ehlinger served as a team captain during the 2019 and 2020 seasons, becoming only the seventh two-time team captain in school history. His name is left near the top of numerous lists in the Texas record book. Most notably, he closes his collegiate career ranked second on UT record in completions (923), passing yards (11,436), total offense (13,343), passing touchdowns (94), and total touchdowns responsible for (127). Ehlinger also ranks second among Longhorn quarterbacks in rushing touchdowns (33) and third in rushing yards (1,907). He threw for more than 200 yards, and surpassed 300 yards 10 times, both the second-most in school history behind only Colt McCoy. He holds school records for lowest interception percentage (1.83%), games with a passing and rushing touchdown (18), games with 350 yards of total offense (11), games with 400 yards of total offense (5), games with 400-plus passing yards (2) and games with five-plus passing touchdowns (2), among others.
Ehlinger is one of only three players in FBS history to throw for at least 11,000 career yards and rush for more than 1,500 yards. He is also one of only three players in FBS history to throw for at least 90 touchdowns and rush for 30. Ehlinger's 127 touchdowns responsible for rank as the fourth-most in Big 12 history, and his 94 passing touchdowns are the seventh-best tally by a Big 12 quarterback. Ehlinger was at his best for Texas during the biggest moments and biggest games, leading UT to eight wins over ranked opponents and tying the school record with seven game-winning drives during his four-year career. He also tied McCoy for the school record with three bowl game wins as the program's starting quarterback, and is the only quarterback in school history to play meaningful snaps in four bowl wins.
ON SOCIAL MEDIA
QB1 to the @Colts! Congratulations @sehlinger3! 🤘 pic.twitter.com/0Eh2vkgDgx
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) May 1, 2021
Sam Ehlinger is headed to Indianapolis.
— Longhorn Network (@LonghornNetwork) May 1, 2021
QB1 was drafted in the 6th round by the Colts. pic.twitter.com/ot58Shmz4V
Welcome to Indy, @sehlinger3! #ColtsDraft pic.twitter.com/AaJHv7Q69s
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 1, 2021
ATX➡️Indy: Sam Ehlinger is headed to the @Colts. 🤘 pic.twitter.com/YJf8YuQEEj
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) May 1, 2021
With the No. 218 overall pick in the 2021 @NFLDraft, the @Colts select @TexasFootball QB Sam Ehlinger!
— NFL (@NFL) May 1, 2021
📺: 2021 #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/6FkeUDkkAi
🤘 @sehlinger3 | #ColtsDraft
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 1, 2021
📺 NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/eTfF1hNo5m
The @Colts just picked up @TexasFootball QB @sehlinger3 🤘
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) May 1, 2021
Here's a look at what he can do ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6SifovV8pD
What the Colts are getting in Sam Ehlinger, the QB whose toughness made him a Texas icon https://t.co/CpRy0fE4tV
— Max Olson (@max_olson) May 1, 2021
He's all grown up now 🤘 pic.twitter.com/6C73kHFsrZ
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) May 1, 2021
QB1 is headed to Indy!
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) May 1, 2021
Show everyone what you're made of Sam 🤘 pic.twitter.com/VCowYg62O6
Collin Johnson has one for you too, Sam. 🤘@Call_In_Johnson @sehlinger3 pic.twitter.com/qIgZTynfdx
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) May 1, 2021
Hey @sehlinger3, you have a message from @ColtMcCoy. pic.twitter.com/o5txP7ck3f
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) May 1, 2021
Unbelievable feeling. Thank you for believing in me Indy. Go Colts! pic.twitter.com/0ECn0WC2xS
— Sam Ehlinger (@sehlinger3) May 1, 2021
