2021 NFL Draft: Texas QB Sam Ehlinger has much to prove at Senior Bowl

2021 NFL Draft prospect Sam Ehlinger. Mandatory Credit: Jay Janner-USA TODAY NETWORK /

2021 NFL Draft prospect Sam Ehlinger is off to the Senior Bowl

While every season is draft season, it is beginning to feel like it even more so as the 2021 NFL Draft is just five and a half months away. With the territory, comes the Reese’s Senior Bowl, and the event is currently ramping up their invitation process. One of the newest members to the roster is Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger. He joins former Wake Forest and Georgia quarterback Jamie Newman at the position.

Playing out his Senior year with the Longhorns, Ehlinger has been a controversial prospect for many, as he has not shown what is needed of him to be an NFL quarterback. From his mechanics, to his ball placement, to his pocket poise and footwork, the road ahead for Ehlinger figures to be a steep one as the 2021 NFL Draft approaches.

What Ehlinger can prove at the Senior Bowl

More from With the First Pick

First and foremost, the Texas quarterback will get exposure to NFL coaching, as the Washington Football Team and the Dallas Cowboys are currently in line to coach the sides. The Senior Bowl takes the two coaching staffs with the worst record at the end of the year to determine the staff (the New York Jets will likely be ineligible as teams with first year head coaches are not considered).

If Ehlinger shows he is coachable at the very least, this could entice a team to take the athletic ability he has and transform it into something at the next level. While in Mobile, Ehlinger is going to have to show he has the ability to stand in the pocket, make throws on time and with a high level of accuracy if he wants to have any hope of winning over front offices and general managers.

2021 NFL Draft outlook for Sam Ehlinger

Teams always take chances on quarterbacks with a high level of athletic ability. The Baltimore Ravens took Trace McSorely in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles took Jalen Hurts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Just like these two Senior Bowl alumni, Ehlinger figures to be in the middle of McSorely and Hurts.

Here is what Jordan Reid of The Draft Network has to say about Ehlinger:

"Supreme leader that’s more of a lead by example type of player, Ehlinger lets his play help galvanize his surroundings. Never afraid of the moment, he’s not hesitant at all with accepting the moment and attacking it head on. Ehlinger is a true playmaker that can become a bit of a sandlot type of quarterback. Playing within structure is an area where he’s shown comfort with before, but his best plays come when off-script or outside of structure. A powerful and competitive ball carrier, the Longhorns incorporate him frequently in their rushing attack in order to make him feel comfortable."

Next. Browns add Jaycee Horn, signficant defensive talent in mock draft. dark

He has had a successful collegiate career at Texas, but a ton of what he does and the traits that he uses to excel at the college level are simply not translatable. As it currently stands, Ehlinger figures to be a late day-two at the earliest, with a day-three selection more likely this upcoming April.

Home/NFL Draft News