Texas Longhorns' QB Commits Shining Bright in High School Playoff Games

Quarterback play has been a pivotal topic of discussion at Texas since head coach Charlie Strong arrived. The Longhorns produced just 22 passing touchdowns and 16 interceptions during the first 23 games of his tenure, contributing to inconsistencies throughout a 10-13 stretch. 

Redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard, a former 4-star recruit, has two 100-yard rushing games to his credit this season, but aerial success remains elusive. He's tallied three total touchdowns and four interceptions during the past seven contests, surpassing 200 yards through the air once.

Texas' recruiting efforts in the 2016 and 2017 cycles netted Strong a pair of passers who could someday be tasked with turning around an offensive attack currently rated 118th nationally in passing yards per game (153.6). Shane Buechele and Sam Ehlinger represent the future at quarterback in Austin, and they both continue to validate hype during Lone Star State playoff action. 

Buechele and Ehlinger both led their respective high school squads to postseason wins this past weekend, totaling four touchdowns apiece and displaying dual-threat abilities. 

Buechele, committed to Texas since February, torched El Paso Eastwood High School defenders Friday night. He led Arlington Lamar High School to a 42-35 victory, according to DFW.com, throwing a go-ahead touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.

The 6'2", 185-pound prospect fired two scoring strikes, including a 31-yard dart that created a 35-35 tie. His touchdown tosses came after two earlier rushing scores, as he found the end zone from two and 29 yards out in the first half. 

Buechele, rated No. 2 nationally among dual-threat quarterbacks in 2016 composite class rankings, gained 116 yards on the ground. His performance also included efficient passing (10-of-14 for 129 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions). 

The son of former Texas Rangers third baseman Steve Buechele propelled Lamar to an eighth consecutive win. Buechele leads his 11-1 team into a Nov. 28 matchup against Mansfield High School at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.

He now has 30 total touchdowns as a senior, per MaxPreps, giving him 83 scores since 2013. Buechele, who also holds scholarship offers from Oklahoma, Kentucky, Stanford and TCU, earned Elite 11 status this summer. 

Ehlinger, a 6'1", 207-pound junior at Westlake High School (Austin), pledged to the Longhorns in July. Texas was among the first FBS programs to formally extend an offer, and he didn't take long to accept it. 

The 3-star prospect, rated No. 9 nationally among dual-threat quarterbacks in 2017 composite rankings, tallied 266 total yards and four scores against The Woodlands High School on Saturday afternoon, according to Jim Mashek of the Courier.

Like Buechele, Ehlinger has his team sitting at 11-1 en route to the third round of Texas' state playoff competition. He did a lot of damage on the ground, rushing for 97 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries. 

Ehlinger now has 941 rushing yards through 12 games, according to MaxPreps. He's scored 17 times as a runner this season, adding to 39 touchdown tosses. 

Credit: 247Sports

He sealed the 28-3 victory with a 42-yard score through the air, padding impressive passing totals. Ehlinger has completed 64 percent of attempts for 2,886 yards this fall, firing just two interceptions.

Westlake advances to a Nov. 28 game against North Mesquite High School. Ehlinger will enter next season considered one of the state's premier senior playmakers.

Texas, still struggling to develop rhythm in its downfield attack, should feel increasingly optimistic about the promise of these two young talents. The spotlight will continue to shine brighter on Buechele and Ehlinger as both continue their respective pursuit of state titles.

Tyler Donohue is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.