Texas linebacker Jake Ehlinger found dead off campus, police say

AUSTIN, Texas — University of Texas linebacker Jake Ehlinger, the younger brother of former Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger, was found dead off campus on Thursday, police said. He was 20.

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The Austin Police Department said it received a call at 12:18 p.m. CDT to a residence west of the university and identified a deceased person found at the location as Ehlinger, a redshirt sophomore, ESPN reported.

A cause of death was not given, and police said the death was not considered suspicious.

“Our hearts are truly broken and we are just devastated today to learn of the passing of our Longhorn family member Jake Ehlinger,” Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte said in a statement. “Jake was an amazing young man from an extraordinary family with such a bright future ahead of him. It’s just such a tragedy that we are all really struggling with. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones and friends, especially the Ehlinger family and our entire football program. Jake’s family -- Sam, Jena and Morgen -- are such vital parts of our Longhorn family, and we will be here to support them in any and every way we can during this very difficult time.”

Jake Ehlinger joined the Longhorns football team in 2019 as a nonscholarship preferred walk-on, KXAS reported. His brother was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, according to Sports Illustrated.

Ehlinger’s father, Ross Ehlinger, died of a heart attack in 2013 while competing in a triathlon in San Francisco, ESPN reported.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian called Jake Ehlinger’s death “a tragedy beyond measure.”

“Words cannot express the depth of our sadness and the huge void we are feeling, but above all else, our hearts pour out to Sam, Jena, Morgen and the entire Ehlinger family,” Sarkisian said in a statement. “Jake was a tremendous person and was everything you could ask for in a student-athlete. Being a Longhorn meant everything to him, and he truly embodied all that it means to be one.”

Colts owner Jim Irsay offered his support to the Ehlinger family in a statement.

“I know how close they were, and we’re just really stunned, but we are prayerful and we know God has a plan,” Irsay said. “We are doing everything we can to console the family and do what we can to make things as easy as possible at this difficult time.”

Cox Media Group