Tag: sam cosmi

Bleacher Report 2021 mock draft has two Longhorns in the first round

BR released a 2021 NFL mock draft and includes two Texas players in the first round. UT hasn’t had a first-round selection since 2013.

Three Longhorns were selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, with Brandon Jones going to Miami, Devin Duvernay getting picked by Baltimore, and Collin Johnson heading to Jacksonville. All three were selected in the third round or later, extending the five-year streak of no Texas players in the first round.

Bleacher Report has released a mock draft for the 2021 NFL Draft and predicts the streak will come to an end next year. In fact, they even predict two Longhorn players will be selected in the first round, something that has not happened since 2007.

Caden Sterns is the first predicted player off the board from Austin, as Bleacher Reports says he will go 16th overall to the Cleveland Browns. In the 2020 NFL Draft, Cleveland drafted LSU safety Grant Delpit in the second round. With opposing safety Karl Joseph’s contract set to expire after the 2020 season, the Browns could be in need of a new partner to Delpit.

No safety was selected in the first round during this year’s draft. Alabama’s Xavier McKinney was the first selected in the second round by the New York Giants.

Playing great during his freshman season, Sterns spent some of his sophomore year injured. When he was on the field, he wasn’t his normal self. To keep his first-round draft status, Sterns must return to the form he was in during his first year in Austin. Expected to be a key contributor during the 2020 season for Texas, he could even crawl up the board a few more spots with solid production.

To end the first round, Bleacher Report thinks the Baltimore Ravens will take a new offensive lineman for MVP Lamar Jackson. Samuel Cosmi could have declared for the draft this season, but elected to come back for his redshirt junior year instead.

Selected to second-team All-Big 12 last season, Cosmi is one of the best offensive lineman coming back next season. Playing left tackle for Sam Ehlinger, his athletic ability and quickness are what make him so special. He even was able to display it by scoring a touchdown against West Virginia last season.

If taken, he would be just the second offensive lineman from Texas to be drafted. Connor Williams went in the second round to the Dallas Cowboys in 2018. It has been since 2002 since the Longhorns have produced a first-round offensive lineman when Mike Williams went fourth overall to the Buffalo Bills.

With another solid season protecting Ehlinger’s blindside, Cosmi could rise up draft boards. In what is projected to be another offensive tackle heavy first round, the competition will be stiff atop the board. If Cosmi can have a first-team All-Big 12 type season for Texas, his projections will be looking towards the top 15 picks.

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Texas has the top returning offensive lineman in the Big 12

According to Pro Football Focus, Texas left tackle Samuel Cosmi is the top returning offensive lineman in the Big 12.

It’s not even close. Continue reading “Texas has the top returning offensive lineman in the Big 12”

Five key Texas football players returning in 2020

These five Texas football players must have significant impact in 2020 in order for the Longhorns to reach the College Football Playoffs.

Texas head coach Tom Herman’s reshaped coaching staff will have a plethora of talented athletes throughout the 2020 season.

Expectations are sky high regarding the Longhorns football program. Although Texas has won two major bowl games the past two years, they’ve underwhelmed throughout the regular seasons.

Texas has consistently had one of the top recruiting classes each year, but player development has lacked. With the recent staff shakeup, Texas needs to compete for the Big 12 Championship and make a legitimate run for the College Football Playoffs in order to prevent another disappointing season under Herman’s guidance.

These five returning players will make a significant impact on the Longhorns success this upcoming season.

Sam Ehlinger, QB

Obvious. Ehlinger is the heart and soul of Texas’ offense. He has consistently improved each year, surpassing several of Longhorn legend Vince Young’s school records in the process. Ehlinger has a serious chance to take home the Heisman Trophy as a senior.

Sam Cosmi, LT

Protect Ehlinger. Team captain and center Zach Shackelford is not returning, therefore left tackle Sam Cosmi will be critical in anchoring the trenches. Cosmi started every game at left tackle for the Longhorns in 2019. After forgoing the 2020 NFL Draft, Cosmi will likely groom into a top draft prospect in 2021 if another impressive season is on the horizon.

Caden Sterns, DB

Sterns must stay healthy. The Junior defensive back will be a critical part of this Texas defense in 2020. Sterns started the first 13 games of his career as a true freshman, earning Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Big 12 honors. Injuries riddled most of his 2019 season, but his potential, knowledge, and athleticism is through the roof.

Joseph Ossai, LB

Ossai appeared in 14 games as a true freshman in 2018. After leading the team with eight tackles in the Allstate Sugar Bowl against Georgia, Ossai garnered more playing time, starting in eight games throughout the 2019 season. He logged a career-high 10 tackles, including five solo stops against TCU. A breakout season is in his foreseeable future.

Jordan Whittington, RB/WR

Potential. Many fans have not yet been able to witness the talent and impact Whittington can make each time he touches the ball. Due to a sports hernia surgery, Whittington missed the majority of the 2019 season. The former five-star prospect was initially recruited as a wide receiver but desperately switched positions to running back due to lack of depth. Whittington is the prototypical swiss army knife player that will likely be tasked with playing both positions in 2020.