AUSTIN, Texas -- There is a simple message that is likely being repeated around the University of Texas football facility right now: “control what you can control.” It was something used often by Sam Ehlinger when he spoke with the media this week. It’s also a message that is difficult in the current climate when a lot is out of the control of college football programs and their players.

What You Need To Know

  • Players relying on classmates, teammates to uphold safety precautions

  • Other conferences have opted to cancel fall sports

  • This is Sam Ehlinger's final season

“All the fun things in college will be there in January if we can get through the season and avoid those distractions,” Ehlinger said. “Avoid bringing the virus back to the team. That’d be a huge win for us.”

Ehlinger admits the number one goal for the team right now is to stay healthy for the season. For that to happen, a lot of responsibility will be placed on the players themselves to avoid situations where the virus might spread.

“It’s going to be extremely hard. I’d be lying if I told you it was going to be easy to control a hundred 18- to 22-year-old guys in college,” Ehlinger said.

Saying that, Ehlinger does believe that the team is safer under the current setup of practice and preparing for a season than if they were off campus.

“The University of Texas is the gold standard for controlling and protecting the players,” Ehlinger said.

 

While conferences like the Big 10 and Pac 12 shut down fall football last week, UT and the Big 12 are moving forward with the decision to try and play this fall. Texas is scheduled to open the season on September 12 at home against UTEP.

“I have to tell myself that I’m 100 percent confident that there is going to be a season this year because that’s what we’ve been told,” Ehlinger added. “With the procedures we have here, I know that it’s possible.”

If the season gets going and doesn’t get interrupted, this is the year Ehlinger has been waiting for his whole life. He’s the longtime starter at QB for the Longhorns, going into his final year of college. He’s already accomplished a lot but is looking forward to working with new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich and the host of offensive talent around him.

“Offensively I’m really excited. We have a chance to be extremely elite,” Ehlinger said.