There is no greater honor in college football than winning the Heisman Trophy or being selected No. 1 overall in the NFL draft.
The Texas Longhorns are as storied of a program as any in all of college football, yet since the first NFL draft in 1936, only three former Longhorns have been top picks in the draft with Tommy Nobis in 1966, Earl Campbell in 1978, and Kenneth Sims in 1982.
However, ESPN NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid thinks that Texas may have their fourth top overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft as he breaks down the top options in the class (subscription required). Reid tabs QB Quinn Ewers as a serious contender with a 12% chance to go No. 1 while ranking OT Kelvin Banks Jr. as a potential riser with a 6% chance of being the top pick.
Quarterback Quinn Ewers
Ewers’ draft status is as intriguing as any with draft grades ranging from day one to day three, but there is no question he has as much raw talent as anyone in the country. After all, he was one of the highest-rated recruits of all time, and I think 2024 is the year he puts it all together. Reid argues his case as the top pick saying,
“Ewers came to Texas in 2022 with massive expectations and immediately took the starter reins. But an inconsistent 2023 season leaves him with a murky draft projection.
I’m hearing primarily late-Day 2 or even early-Day 3 grades from scouts right now, but it’s early. And considering he’s my QB3, he has to be in consideration for the top pick if he can piece together a really good prove-it season. The decision to return to school was the right one for Ewers, and he now gains another year of needed experience and tries to build on his positive moments shown last season.”
Offensive Tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
Banks, on the other hand, may have a case as the best overall player in the country, but unfortunately, we are in a day and age where linemen rarely go in the top five of the draft. Banks would be the first linemen to go No. 1 overall since Central Michigan OT Eric Fisher was the top pick back in 2013. Reid says of Banks’ chances to be the top pick,
“Banks has been one of the more consistent linemen in the country. As the starter at left tackle since arriving on campus (1,788 total snaps), he has allowed only two sacks across two seasons.
At 6-foot-4 and 324 pounds, Banks is an overwhelming run-blocker, but it’s his movement skills that really set him apart from his counterparts in this class. His light feet can be a positive or a negative, though; while it allows him to stick on pass-rushers, he too often attempts to out-finess the opposition rather than trusting his technique. That gets him into trouble against more polished edge rushers.
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