UT Preview: The Key Players to Watch on the Longhorn Offense

Oklahoma State will face No. 6 Texas for Homecoming this weekend in Stillwater. To preview the game, I wanted to take a look at key players on both sides of the ball for the Longhorns. For this post, I will focus on the offense and I will come back later in the week to touch on the other side of the ball.

Sam Ehlinger | QB | 6-3, 235 | So.

Although Ehlinger’s status for Saturday’s contest is still up in the air, I think he has to be included in this list as he is the driving force behind the Longhorn offense this season. At 6-3, 235 pounds, Ehlinger is a very strong runner and he’s tough to bring down in the open field. In addition to his physical running style, he also has adequate speed and has played a huge role in Texas’ running game this year.

One way they get Ehlinger involved in their rushing attack is with designed quarterback runs, as you see below with the outside zone. Texas coach Tom Herman loves to get the numbers advantage against the defense by running the quarterback and you see him accomplish this here.

The UT quarterback has also done a great job in the zone-read game this season. In the clip below you see him keep on the read and trot into the end zone for a score against Tulsa.

In addition, he’s greatly improved as a passer from a year ago. The sophomore quarterback has matched his touchdown total of 11 from his freshman season on 68 fewer attempts and has only thrown two interceptions on the year. His completion percentage of 65.7 is also a significant jump from last season’s mark of 57.5.

Ehlinger has proved this season that he’s not just a “running” quarterback, and can beat defenses with both his legs and his arm. He’s even shown off his skills as a receiver at times this season.

The young Longhorn QB didn’t have his best showing a year ago against the Pokes, throwing for 241 yards, no touchdowns and one (very costly) interception, but he’s shown significant improvement in his play since last season’s matchup in Austin.

The normal recovery time for an AC joint sprain is just under 10 days, and with how Herman says Ehlinger is progressing, I would expect him to take the field against the Cowboys this Saturday.

Lil’Jordan Humphrey | WR | 6-4, 225 | Jr.

I went back and forth between Collin Johnson and Lil’Jordan Humphrey for the second offensive key player spot. Both guys are having awesome seasons, but ultimately I landed on Lil’Jordan because he has the better name.

The junior wideout didn’t have much production against OSU a year ago as he only had one reception for 9 yards, but I expect him to be a key part of the Longhorns’ game plan no matter who lines up behind center this weekend.

Humphrey is listed as the “H” receiver on the Texas depth chart, which means he will line up primarily in the slot. He will be a tough assignment for OSU safety Jarrick Bernard, who we’ve seen struggle in coverage at times this season.

Jim Knowles uses his nickel safety, which Bernard plays, to “cover down” on the slot receiver, so expect these two to lineup against each other quite a bit on Saturday.

It’s not just Bernard, Humphrey playing out of the slot is a matchup nightmare for almost anyone. He is bigger than most safeties and too athletic for most linebackers trying to cover him in that spot. He leads UT in both receptions and yards and does a great job of picking up yards after the catch.

Additionally, the Longhorns look to get Humphrey involved in multiple ways on offense. He has five carries on the season for 23 yards and one touchdown and they will also use him in their wildcat formation.

Even though the players I’ve highlighted here are a receiver and a quarterback, I think the key for Jim Knowles’ and the Oklahoma State defense is to force Ehlinger to beat them with his arm. He’s shown to be inaccurate at times this season when he’s felt pressure and we know pressuring the quarterback is right up Knowles’ alley.

If the Cowboy defenders can get to Ehlinger and get to him early, especially if he’s still a little banged up, I don’t think he’ll be comfortable enough to deliver accurate throws to Humphrey and Johnson on the outside. One thing is for sure, the Pokes can’t let the quarterback run game beat them again this season