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30 Days of Colts Fits: SAF Andrew Mukuba, Texas

30 days and 30 players the Indianapolis Colts may draft. Next up is Texas safety Andrew Mukuba.

Zach Hicks

Jan 10, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive back Andrew Mukuba (4) in action during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Jan 10, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive back Andrew Mukuba (4) in action during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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The 2025 NFL Draft is officially under a month away. In order to help you all along until draft day, I decided to start a daily prospect spotlight series to talk about some players that the Indianapolis Colts could target next month.

The players mentioned in this series will be players that I have either heard that the team is really high on or are players that just make way too much sense for the team based on fit/past draft history.

The next player up on this countdown to draft day is Texas safety Andrew Mukuba.

Background

Mukub
Jan 1, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive back Andrew Mukuba (4) celebrates after a victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Mukuba is a former four-star recruit who chose to attend Clemson out of high school. He put together a productive three-year stint with the Tigers, including a breakout true freshman campaign that saw him earn Freshman All-America honors. He left Clemson with 149 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 20 pass breakups, and an interception across 31 starts. He transferred back home to Texas for his fourth and final year of college in 2024.

At Texas, Mukuba enjoyed his best career season. He hit new single-season career highs in total tackles (69), tackles for a loss (4.0), and interceptions (five). He earned Third-Team All-SEC honors for his dominant play as a senior. Mukuba was invited to participate in the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl but had to pull out due to Texas' season running late into the playoffs.

Mukuba was born in Zimbabwe as his parents were refugees from the Republic of Congo. He, along with his family, moved to the United State in 2011 when they were granted asylum.

Size/Testing

Mukub
Jan 1, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive back Andrew Mukuba (4) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils to end the game in the second overtime at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 186 pounds

Arm Length: 30 inches

Testing Numbers: Forty Yard Dash: 4.45 seconds / 10-Yard Split: 1.53 seconds / Short-Shuttle: 4.45 seconds / 3-Cone: 7.15 seconds

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Standout Traits on Film

Drew Mukub
Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas defensive back Drew Mukuba (DB45) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tanner Pearson-Imagn Images / Tanner Pearson-Imagn Images

Mukuba is arguably the most enjoyable player to watch on film in this draft class. He may lack the size and the elite athleticism that makes a player go high in the draft, but he has outstanding instincts, elite ball skills, and a physical edge to his game that is hard to find in safeties. He is the complete package at the position, as long as you are willing to overlook how small he is.

Mukuba was one of the best defenders in the nation last season, anchoring the Texas' defense with big hits and timely interceptions. His closing speed and his ability to locate the ball is fantastic, and he rarely lets offensive players off the hook if the ball arrives late in his zone. He is a true force defender that specializes at taking the ball away and imposing his will on opponents.

Chris Ballard typically covets traits across the board, opting for players with elite size and speed regardless of position. Safety is one of the few spots that he has been a bit lenient over the years, selecting a player like Julian Blackmon (a smaller safety that didn't test due to injury) in the third round back in 2020. Mukuba is a player who is cut from a similar cloth as Blackmon.

If the Colts are looking for an ideal third safety that can wear multiple hats on a defense, a player like Mukuba could be the perfect fit. He can serve as a rotation nickel/safety with the upside to one day start in the event that Nick Cross leaves in free agency. He also has immense value as a dime defender due to his ball skills and instincts in zone.

Colts' Interest

Mukub
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) talks to Texas Longhorns defensive back Andrew Mukuba (4) after the Buckeyes beat the Longhorns 28-14 in the Cotton Bowl Classic during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January, 10, 2025. / Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Colts haven't been linked to Mukuba much throughout this draft process, other than a combine meeting, but the team does have an affinity for Texas players. The Colts selected Adonai Mitchell last draft season, and Shane Steichen is close with Texas coach Steve Sarkisian. The Colts could go back to that Texas connection and take Mukuba this offseason.

Mukuba would be a day-one impact player for the defense, even if he is more of a reserve player in year one. His ability to play all over the defense and make plays in dime personnel would be a fascinating fit in Lou Anarumo's defense.

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Zach Hicks
ZACH HICKS

Zach Hicks is the Lead Analyst for HorseshoeHuddle.com. Zach has been on the NFL beat since 2017. His works have appeared on SBNation.com, the Locked On Podcast Network, BleacherReport.com, MSN.com, & Yardbarker.com. 

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