Texas Longhorns Upcoming Draft Class Has Intriguing Insight To Program's Future
There are two ways to look at a program that loses countless talent to the NFL; either regression will set in, or there's optimism moving into a new era.
For now, it's easier to lean the latter regarding the Texas Longhorns. And primarily, that's thanks to the culture set in motion by Steve Sarkisian.
Yes, Longhorns everywhere wanted to championship. They could have held their own and given Michigan a run to remember in Houston if things had differed in New Orleans to kickstart the new calendar year last week.
But 12-2 seasons don't come by often. Texas hadn't been this relevant since 2009 after Colt McCoy walked off the field at the Rose Bowl, thus ending conversations of a national title coming back to the Forty Acres.
Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Bron Murphy celebrates a fourth-down stop against Washington in the Sugar Bowl.
USA TODAY
The difference? Those 12-win years are expected to come for the long haul. Even with the surplus of talent heading off to the NFL, Texas remains in the driver's seat of all chatter surrounding the expanded College Football Playoff.
More than anything, Sarkisan's ability to work the best of a recruit has paved the way for optimism building from within. The Longhorns just posted back-to-back top-five recruiting classes as they enter a new stage of life in the SEC.
But the talent leaving Austin is better for learning under Sark, and his staff could make headways in April. Seriously, when was the last time this amount of talent was drawing first-round buzz entering draft season?
It wasn't under Charlie Strong's watch.
This never was a thing when Tom Herman walked the sidelines of DKR.
Remember the Mack Brown days? You know, where the white-hair wonder consistently put players in a position to hear their names called on Day 1 of the draft?
Welcome back to the good times, Longhorn nation. Expect this trend to be a common theme as long as Sarkisian keeps running the show.
Ten players and counting are entering the next stage of their careers. How many will end up being selected on Thursday night when a franchise is looking for a cornerstone piece to help them secure a Lombardi Trophy?
Three?
Four?
Six?
Receivers Xaiver Worthy and Adonai Mitchell have to be in the mix. Worthy's speed can't be taught, and few defenses could contain in the open field. Mitchell, who started his career with Georgia, proved to be more than a No. 2 option in the passing game on multiple occasions.
Five touchdowns in five playoff games? Do you think teams are watching his rise to fame and familiarity with the end zone?
Byron Murphy caught touchdowns, but he also caught the eye of scouts dismantling offensive linemen to corral his way into the backfield. Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and Outland Trophy winner T'Vondre Sweat upped his production, thus changing his value entering January.
Ja'Tavion Sanders leaves Austin as one of the most decorated tight ends in program history. Quarterbacks love having a security blanket in the passing game to keep drives alive at the next level.
Few were as potent picking up first downs as Sanders, who could enter Day 1 conversations with a promising performance at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis in two months.
Even prospects like linebacker Jaylan Ford and running back Jonathon Brooks should be early selections. Day 1 picks? Not likely. Top-50 selections? Who says no?
Brooks, who shocked Longhorns everywhere with his announcement to enter the draft despite dealing with a torn ACL, has talent. No one doubts the skills that led to a 1,000-yard campaign on campus, but health will always factor into a selection.
If systems are go, he's looking to blast off at the next level. Would a team bet on the upside and take him early on Day 2?
Even defensive backs Jahdae Barron and Ryan Watts could hear their names called. Teams love physical defenders who are willing to play special teams. Barron fits that bill and Watts would likely love to strap it up for a 53-man squad in any capacity.
Think about it, Longhorns fans; when was the last time you saw this amount of talent leave and knew they were shoe-ins to be selected?
Better yet, when was the last time you saw an exodus of players and still felt confident heading into a new year?
Sarkisian has seen continued growth since arriving from Tuscaloosa. Five wins was the foundation in 2021. Losing players was setting a standard for what to expect when one signs up to play for the Burnt Orange and White.
Two years later, it's a regroup and reload for another run persona. Alabama does that. So does Georgia. Ohio State likely falls in that category, and Michigan might join the party next.
Sarkisian is the right man for what it takes to win it all, and Chris Del Conte is about to front the cash to keep him happy and out on conversations from being poached in the coming years.
He's not just recruiting talent. He's developing it and making sure those committed to him will be better because of it.
Doesn't that sound like another national champion coach? Maybe Sark should call his former boss for a second opinion.
