ESPN recently assembled a collection of all-conference teams that would be best suited to win the next Super Bowl.
NFL analysts and college football reporters joined in the exercise, which ultimately fielded a 22-man starting roster of current NFL players based on their college conference.
While the Big 12 roster appears strong as a whole, it does not include a former Texas player on offense. However, three former Longhorns are present on the defensive side.
OFFENSE
QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech
RB Joe Mixon, Oklahoma
WR Tyler Lockett, Kansas State
WR Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
TE Mark Andrews, Oklahoma
Flex CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma
G Quinton Spain, West Virginia
C Cody Whitehair, Kansas State
G Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State
OT Trent Williams, Oklahoma
DEFENSE
Edge Jerry Hughes, TCU
DT Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma
DT Jordan Phillips,Oklahoma
Edge Bruce Irvin, West Virginia
LB Jordan Hicks, Texas
LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
Flex Jeff Gladney, TCU
CB Chris Harris Jr., Kansas
CB Xavien Howard, Baylor
S Earl Thomas III, Texas
S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas
You could argue that wide receiver Devin Duvernay should be included as a starter, but we’ll save that story for another day. The player pitch that ESPN alluded to regarding this particular all-big 12 roster was from none other than former Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro.
“It really was the guys before me that kind of set the precedent when it was Michael Huff, and obviously Michael Griffin got drafted to the Titans. Number of good players, Cedric Griffin, Aaron Williams, guys I played with. Earl Thomas, who is all-decade in the NFL. Quandre Diggs has done a really good job. There’s been a lot of talent come through. We’ve just got to keep pumping them out. I’m not pleased with these last couple of years.”
It’s true. Texas has been lacking in terms of player development and producing top-tier NFL talent over the last several years. If head coach Tom Herman’s newly assembled coaching staff can mesh with these players, there should be many more Longhorns capable of making a statement in the NFL in the near future.