Texas Longhorns linebacker Jake Ehlinger, the younger brother of former Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger, was found dead at age 20 on Thursday, according to police in Austin, Texas.
No details about the death were revealed by authorities after they received a call at 12:18 p.m. and responded at the 1200 block of West 22nd Street, an area west of the university campus, where they discovered his body. Police said Ehlinger’s death is not considered to be suspicious.
“Being a Longhorn meant everything to him, and he truly embodied all that it means to be one,” said new head coach Steve Sarkisian in a statement. “In the short time we were able to get to know him, he always was a joy to be around and gave everything he had in workouts, meetings, practice and in life.
“This is a tragedy beyond measure, and as I told the team today, in a time like this all we can do is open our hearts, pull together and do our best to provide love and support to each other, especially to the Ehlinger family.”
The younger Ehlinger had just finished his redshirt freshman season four months earlier, although he did not see game action. His brother Sam had just been selected by the Indianapolis Colts last Saturday in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.
According to The American-Statesman, the Colts were assisting Sam Ehlinger in booking a flight to return to Austin to be with his family.
“We grieve and weep with the Ehlinger family. Prayers, love and support,” Colts owner Jim Irsay said on his Twitter account.
Ross Ehlinger, Sam and Jake’s father, died at age 46 in 2013 after suffering a heart attack during a triathlon.
