Longhorns Dominate Mel Kiper's Updated Big Board Ahead Of NFL Draft
Following what was a tremendous season for the Texas Longhorns in 2023, Texas fans are now turning their attention to the NFL Draft.
The Longhorns are projected to have at least seven players drafted, and could see one of their best draft classes in a decade. Over the past week, the Longhorns had a handful of representatives at the Reese's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama which may have only helped boost their status.
ESPN's draft analyst, Mel Kiper, updated his 2024 NFL Draft rankings on Friday, and unsurprisingly to any Texas fans, there are Longhorns littered throughout.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell
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Starting on the defensive side of the ball, Texas' do-it-all linebacker Jaylan Ford comes in as the No. 5 off-ball linebacker. This past season marked his second-straight season with over 100 total tackles, and also saw him grab a couple of interceptions. He was the leader for this Texas defense and a big reason that they were so stout this past season.
Kiper is clearly very high on the two big boys up front for Texas, as he has T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively at the defensive tackles spot. This duo formed arguably the best run-stopping duo in the country, as they each had career seasons in 2023. Sweat, who ended up winning the Outland Trophy, recorded a career-high 45 total tackles, five passes defended, two sacks, and a receiving score on offense. His counterpart, who some view as a first-round pick, recorded a career-high 29 tackles and a career-high five sacks.
Offensively, Johnathon Brooks is ranked as the top running back despite missing the final few games of the season with an ACL injury. He still rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns on 6.1 yards per carry before going down. He is joined by tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders as a Texas offensive player who ranks in the top two at their position. While Sanders had a lower volume in numbers this past season, he has still proven to have elite potential, with only Georgia's Brock Bowers ranking ahead of him.
Texas two wide receivers Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell, may have each been hurt by not being at the Senior Bowl. They ranked as the No. 7 and No. 8 receivers by Kiper, in what appears to be a very loaded receivers class. They both have been taken in the first round for a handful of mock drafts, so it ultimately depends on how teams see them.
This could be a statement year in the draft for Texas, and could also be a sign of things to come if the program continues on its upward ascent.
