53
and goes, ‘When did you get so mature?’ It was overnight.”
Ehlinger was named the starter for the 2018 season
opener against Maryland; he threw two fourth-quarter
interceptions in the 34–29 loss.
It was only natural for self-doubt to creep in. Hermandescribes Ehlinger as being “shook” after that crush-
ing defeat. But the coaches made it clear he was still the
starter, which, Ehlinger says, “showed me they were real
and that they really knew what I was capable of and that
gave me confidence.” He led Texas to six consecutive wins
after that, including a thrilling 48–45 victory over No. 4
Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout, and went 10 straight
games without throwing another interception.
As his national profile went up and Texas won more
games, Ehlinger and his coach grew closer. They are both
intense, charismatic and sarcastic—qualities that can lead
them to butt heads. “Mutually respectful and mutuallyfrustrated” is how Herman describes his relationship with
Ehlinger. “We respect the heck out of each other,” Herman
says. “I would want that guy in my foxhole any day of the
week. Whatever cliché you want to use—in a bar fight,
whatever—I want that guy by my side in times of adversity.”
Herman recently told a story from a game last
season in which Texas had a big lead. After a scor-
ing drive, Ehlinger hopped on the headset to make
sure the coaches weren’t going to take it easy.
“He’s feeling himself, and he goes, ‘Are we
gonna keep the foot on the gas or are we gonna
get all conservative again?’ ” Herman recalled.
“I said, ‘Hey, listen here. You play. I’ll coach. All
right?’ And then we hug when it’s over.”
Of Herman, Jena says, “Sam loves him and
respects him and trusts him implicitly. I know
they talk about other things besides football—
personal things. Sam trusts his judgment and
advice on things. Almost like a father.”I
F ONE PLAY could represent the
Longhorns’ turnaround, it would be
the third-and-21 they faced on the
opening series of the third quarter
against Oklahoma last October. Lil’Jordan Hum-
phrey caught a tunnel screen near the line of
scrimmage. The 6' 6", 225-pound wideout, who
will play for the Saints in 2019, turned a 10-yard
catch into a 19-yard gain when he and his linemen
dragged several OU defenders down the field to
set up fourth-and-two. Texas converted on a seven-
yard run by Ehlinger and ultimately scored to go
up by 14 points on the Sooners. “That’s a culture
play,” Roach says, repeating what Herman said
to his assistants on the headset that day.
There’s no reason to believe the Longhorns’
forward progress won’t continue in 2019. They
have a fiery, passionate and vocal leader at quar-
terback who knows how to deal with direct criti-
cism as well as effusive praise.
He has plenty of offensive weapons at his dis-
posal, including 6' 6", 220-pound senior receiver Collin
Johnson and running back Keaontay Ingram, who packed
on 15 pounds of muscle and is poised for a breakout sopho-
more year. Questions abound about the defense, which lost
eight senior starters from last year’s team, but talented
players from Herman’s consecutive No. 3 recruiting classes
will have an opportunity to prove themselves.
Yes, there’s plenty of (mostly positive) chatter around
Texas football these days, and it’s been a while since that
was the case. Does this mean they are, dare we say, back?
Maybe. But if anyone is going to get them all the way there,
TO it’s Sam Ehlinger. ±