The Texas Longhorns are the lone SEC team still standing in the College Football Playoff. After years of failing to live up to expectations, the Longhorns have been in the semifinals in back-to-back years. Steve Sarkisian has shown he can attract talent and get his team ready for big games. The Longhorns dispatched Clemson in the opening round. In the quarterfinals, they won a classic against the Arizona State Sun Devils in overtime. There is plenty of NFL talent to be on the lookout for this weekend. Here are the top five draft prospects for the Texas Longhorns.
Texas Longhorns Draft Prospects
These rankings are courtesy of NFL Draft Buzz. I am making some assumptions about who is declaring, even if they haven’t officially announced it. For example, quarterback Quinn Ewers is not in the top five, but if he were, I would include him even though he hasn’t officially announced his intention to enter the draft. Now that we have those caveats out of the way, onto the list!
1. Kelvin Banks Jr., Offensive Tackle
Two talented tackles anchor the Texas Longhorns. Banks Jr. is one of the top prospects in the NFL Draft, and many have him as a surefire top-five pick. It isn’t hard to see why. He is the complete package for an offensive tackle. Banks Jr. displays exceptional balance and hand placement, making him effective against a variety of pass rushers. In the run game, he explodes off the line and is able to push defenders around and get to the second level.
The knocks on him are nitpicks. He is sometimes a little stiff, allowing a specific type of pass-rush move to be more effective against him. His footwork can be sloppy at times, causing him to have to recover. This works in college, but in the NFL, sloppy footwork ends in sacks. These are all easily coachable issues and teams will have no issues taking him with a top pick. Games are won in the trenches, which is why many teams focus on the offensive line in the first round. Look for Banks Jr. to be called up to the stage early in the NFL Draft.
2. Jahdae Barron, Safety
2024 Stats: 61 tackles, 42 solo tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, 5 interceptions, 11 passes deflected
Barron is one of the most fun players to watch in all of college football. If you are playing the Texas Longhorns, you have to be aware of where Barron is at all times. He possesses elite athleticism and coverage ability. Barron can mirror receivers and use his athleticism to close the gap quickly when the ball is thrown. On top of the physical traits, Barron has the mental traits NFL teams love. He can diagnose plays effectively, causing him to blow up many screens and other misdirection plays.
His size is a concern for some teams picking high in the NFL Draft. While he has good range, his length limits what he can do. Teams may worry about his press coverage ability, but as a safety, he may not be in many press situations. Many have Barron as a first-round pick, and his draft stock could improve with a big performance over the weekend for the Texas Longhorns.
3. Cam Williams, Offensive Tackle
Williams often gets forgotten because of how great Banks Jr. is for the Texas Longhorns. Williams excels in the run game. He plays with a nasty demeanor, bulldozing defenders to make running lanes for the backs. He plays through the whistle, finishing blocks and getting to the second level. Williams has heavy hands, knocking pass rushers off their mark and giving his quarterback additional time to survey the field.
His pass protection is solid. However, he can get beat by speed rushers, especially as the game wears on and he gets fatigued. Power rushers can get into his chest and knock him off balance at times, as well. Still, Williams should be taken high in the NFL Draft. He is raw but has the necessary tools and size to excel at the next level. The Texas Longhorns rely on the run and Williams is a huge reason why.
4. Isaiah Bond, Wide Receiver
2024 Stats: 33 receptions, 532 receiving yards, 5 receiving touchdowns, 98 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown
The Texas Longhorns have had some elite receivers over the past few seasons. Bond is a YAC machine, using his elite speed to create separation. Some speedsters struggle with certain aspects of paying the position but not Bond. His route running is excellent, which gives him opportunities to create yards after the catch. His hands are elite, as he had no drops all year. We’ve seen speedsters make a difference in the NFL. Being able to take the top off a defense makes everything on offense easier, and Bond can be that guy.
His size is a concern for some NFL teams. He is under six feet, making some question whether he can high-point catches against taller corners and safeties. As with many college receivers, he relies heavily on his athletic traits to beat opposing defenses. In the NFL, he will have to work on refining his skill set. Teams are always looking for elite wide receivers in the NFL Draft. While Bond may not be a top-ten pick, look for him to come off the board in the late first round.
5. Alfred Collins, Defensive Tackle
2024 Stats: 53 tackles, 27 solo tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, 7 passes deflected, 1 forced fumble
Collins has been a problem for teams playing the Texas Longhorns. He is an experienced lineman who displays a full set of skills. The five-year player is explosive off the line, disrupting run plays throughout the game. He has a full range of pass-rush moves and understands rushing the passer as a unit rather than just as an individual player. When he cannot get to the quarterback, he gets his hands up and disrupts passes. Collins has the size teams are looking for in the NFL Draft.
His tackling form could use some work. He sometimes lunges at ball-carriers instead of using proper footwork to wrap up. On top of that, he is a bit slow in diagnosing plays. Every second counts when rushing the passer, so being able to understand what is happening on the field immediately is paramount. Teams are often looking to build in the trenches. Collins has the potential to anchor a defensive line for years to come.
Final Thoughts
The Texas Longhorns are chocked full of talent. The fact I didn’t mention Quinn Ewers, Gunnar Helm, and Andrew Mukuba in this article shows the depth this team has. Last year, the team lost a classic to the Washington Huskies. That team had just as much NFL talent as this one. The Longhorns will look to make it to the finals when they take on the Ohio State Buckeyes on Friday night.
