Six years ago, we were on hand for the end of Sam Ehlinger’s high school career.
Before Westlake fell to eventual state champions Lake Travis, the path to the UIL state title seemed like a sure thing for the Chaparral’s preseason. The Austin school boasted the best local quarterback since Drew Brees and were attempting to win the championship that eluded the school for twenty years.
Ehlinger started the season with 314 total yards, but ended up enduring a wrist injury, seeing the field only five times in his senior campaign. Ehlinger attempted a comeback in the Lake Travis blowout, but hurt his thumb, spending his last game with a mummy bandage securing his hand.
He graduated and went off to win the Sugar Bowl with UT.
Now, Ehlinger is getting his starting break with the Indianapolis Colts.
Just seven games into the season, former Pro Bowler Matt Ryan has seen his time as the Colts’ signal caller come to an end. Super Bowl winner — and fellow Texas HS Football standout — Nick Foles will serve as backup.
The league is moving toward mobile quarterbacks. This is Ehlinger’s calling card; so far, the sixth-round pick has appeared in only three NFL games and has never thrown a pass in the regular season.
“Right now the move is for Sam to be the starter for the rest of the season,” head coach Frank Reich said, through a statement on the Colts’ official website.
In the preseason this year, Ehlinger completed 24 of 29 passed for 289 yards, four touchdowns, and one rushing score. The Westlake graduate will be the team’s seventh starting quarterback in five seasons.
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