University of Texas linebacker Jake Ehlinger was found dead Thursday afternoon, police said.
Ehlinger, 20, was found in a residential neighborhood less than a mile off the University of Texas at Austin campus after police responded to call at about 12:18 p.m., Austin police said.
The cause of death is unclear. Police said that his death is not considered suspicious and that there were no signs of foul play.
Ehlinger, who joined the football team as a walk-on in 2019, was a sophomore majoring in business, according to the school's roster.
His older brother, Sam Ehlinger, was drafted last week by the Indianapolis Colts after a prolific collegiate career as a Longhorns quarterback.
In a statement to NBC affiliate KXAN, athletics director Chris Del Conte wrote: "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.”
Head coach Steve Sarkisian called Ehlinger a “tremendous person” and “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," Sarkisian said in a statement to KXAN. "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.”
