ESPN has unveiled its ranking of the top 50 players in this year’s College Football Playoff. Texas placed four standout players on the list, trailing Ohio State and Oregon with six each and Clemson with five.
The rankings were compiled by ESPN’s Bill Connelly, David Hale, Chris Low, Adam Rittenberg, and Paolo Uggetti, who analyzed the rosters of all 12 playoff teams to determine the top talent.
This isn’t strictly a ranking of the stars who achieved the most during the regular season, though that was a factor. Nor is it necessarily a prediction of who will put up the biggest numbers in the next seven weeks. Instead according to ESPN, it is more of a viewers guide. Here’s where four of the Texas Longhorns shaped up:
24. Andrew Mukuba – DB, Texas, Senior
2024 stats: 33 solo tackles, 1 forced fumble, 4 interceptions, 5 pass deflections
The 6-foot, 190-pound Austin native returned to Texas after three standout seasons at Clemson and quickly became a pivotal figure in the Longhorns’ resurgence. Mukuba helped transform a struggling pass defense, which ranked 116th nationally last season, into the nation’s best this year, allowing just 143.1 passing yards per game. Known for his hard-hitting style and instinctive play, Mukuba tallied 52 tackles (four for loss), four interceptions, and five pass breakups. His 11-tackle performance in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia cemented his leadership on Texas’ dominant defense.
9. Anthony Hill Jr. – LB, Texas, sophomore
2024 stats: 47 solo tackles, 7.5 sacks, 4 FFs, 1 INT
The 6-3, 235-pound sophomore linebacker is an every-down, sideline-to-sideline star. He led Texas in tackles (90), tackles for loss (16), forced fumbles (4), and he was second in sacks (7.5). He added an interception, four hurries and a fumble recovery to his stat line this fall. — Wilson
7. Jahdae Barron – DB, Texas, Senior
2024 stats: 32 solo tackles, 5 interceptions, 9 pass deflections
Barron capped off his stellar career with the prestigious Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive back. A veteran of 36 career starts, the fifth-year senior led the SEC in interceptions with five and topped Texas in passes broken up with nine. Barron was a key contributor to the Longhorns’ elite defense, adding 47 total tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. This season, Texas allowed only four passing touchdowns and limited opponents to 5.1 yards per pass attempt.
5. Kelvin Banks Jr. – OL, Texas, Junior
2024 stats: Allowed only 1 QB pressure
Banks, the 6-foot-4, 320-pound anchor of Texas’ offensive line, took home the Outland Trophy as the nation’s best interior lineman. Starting every game at left tackle during his career, Banks has been the cornerstone of the Longhorns’ offense, which averaged 6.2 yards per play and 164.4 rushing yards per game this season. His protection allowed Texas’ offense to flourish, with three different running backs recording 100-yard games and the unit ranking 13th nationally in passing offense (281 yards per game).