Jake Ehlinger, a linebacker for the Texas Longhorns and the younger brother of former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger — who was drafted just a few days ago by the Indianapolis Colts — was found dead Thursday afternoon at a residence less than a mile off the Austin campus.
He was 20 years old.
Foul play was not suspected, although the cause of death remains inconclusive, according to reports citing officials who said the circumstances were not considered suspicious.
Ehlinger, a redshirt sophomore who joined the football team as a walk-on under former coach Tom Herman just two years ago, was found after authorities responded to an emergency call shortly after noon in a neighborhood in the 1200 block of West 22nd Street.
Reports indicate Ehlinger was already dead when police arrived.
No other details were released about the matter, and it remains unclear whether the athlete lived at the residence where he was found or if there was anyone with him at the time he died.
Just five days earlier, Jake had celebrated with his family after Sam was drafted by the Colts in the sixth round.
The brothers were inseparable and both fulfilled a childhood dream of playing for the Longhorns after attending games while growing up together, ESPN reported.
Jake’s photo was somehow accidentally displayed on the NFL Network when Sam’s name was called in the draft, prompting laughter and joshing between the two.
He saw his final action on the gridiron during the April 24 Orange and White spring scrimmage college football game in Austin.
His death is the second tragic loss for the Ehlingers, whose 46-year-old father, Ross, died from a heart attack in 2013 while competing in a triathlon in San Francisco.
The team posted a tribute Thursday night on Twitter.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, who served as offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons for two seasons, called 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 expressed his support for the 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.”
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