Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Texas is the first school to reach 10 NFL draft picks.
Texas defensive back Ryan Watts became the 10th Longhorn off the board in the 2024 NFL draft. Continue reading “Steelers select Texas DB Ryan Watts in sixth round of 2024 NFL draft”
And they’re still going…
The 2024 NFL draft has been kind to the Texas Longhorns. Continue reading “Texas breaks school record for most players selected in seven-round draft”
The Longhorns have surpassed Mack Brown’s best draft class at Texas.
Texas linebacker Jaylan Ford became the ninth Longhorn off the board in the 2024 NFL draft. Continue reading “Texas LB Jaylan Ford selected by Saints in fifth round of 2024 NFL draft”
In back to back seasons, RBU sends two running backs to the NFL draft.
Keilan Robinson is a Jacksonville Jaguar. The Texas running back was selected as the No. 167 pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Robinson continues the Longhorns’ success sending running backs to the NFL draft. Running backs coach Tashard Choice has now had two running backs drafted in consecutive drafts.
The speedy Texas running back excelled as a kick returner at Texas. Robinson maximized his 5-foot-9 and 188 pound frame into an explosive season in his final year in Austin.
Robinson only saw 12 carries but made the most of them rushing for three touchdowns including a 57-yard touchdown run to help put the Big 12 championship game out of reach. It was one of two rushing touchdowns for the running back in the conference title game.
The Longhorn joins a rising Jacksonville franchise led by former Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Robinson will look to make an impact in the return game for the Jaguars.
With the pick, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian’s third Longhorns draft class has eight players. The total eclipses former head coach Mack Brown’s best draft class at Texas that had seven selections in 2007.
Keilan Robinson is a Jaguar!
Robinson was picked in the fifth round of the 2024 #NFLDraft by Jacksonville. pic.twitter.com/Iyjs1THH0o
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) April 27, 2024
Texas offensive tackle Christian Jones becomes the seventh Longhorn off the board in the 2024 NFL draft.
Offensive lineman Christian Jones, a four-year starter and six-year player for the Texas Longhorns and Joe Moore Award semifinalist, found his NFL home as the Arizona Cardinals selected him with the No. 162 pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Saturday.
The Cypress (TX) native helped the Longhorns gain 188.4 rushing yards per game in 2023.
Jones saw action on Texas’ special teams unit in 2019 before playing primarily right tackle for three of his four seasons starting on the Longhorns’ offense.
He also excelled in the classroom as a member of the Big 12 commissioner’s honor roll seven times. Jones was on the Academic All-Big 12 team in 2021 and 2023. On the field, he was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection in 2022 and 2023.
The Arizona Cardinals select #Texas OL Christian Jones with pick No. 162 in the #NFLDraft. pic.twitter.com/LbOtMRWFLr
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) April 27, 2024
Ja’Tavion Sanders joins Texas teammate Jonathon Brooks in Carolina.
The Carolina Panthers have drafted Texas tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders with the first pick of the fourth round. He’s primed for a strong NFL career.
Sanders went for over 600 yards in both seasons as starter in Austin. He followed a 54-reception, 613-yard redshirt freshman season with a 682 yards on 45 receptions in his final year on the Forty Acres.
The dynamic player has perhaps the highest ceiling of all Longhorns drafted because of Sanders’ unique skillset at tight end. Most players at the position don’t have the same pass catching ability and athleticism the Texas receiver has displayed. The Denton product possesses all the traits to achieve at the highest level at tight end.
Sanders joins Texas running back Jonathon Brooks in Carolina after the Panthers took Brooks with the No. 46 pick. The tight end was taken with the No. 101 pick in the draft. He is set to catch passes from former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young in Carolina.
JT is a Panther 🤘@Jatavionsanders x @Panthers pic.twitter.com/QvcuJAh7Hf
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 27, 2024
Player development at Texas is at an all-time high.
After Texas did not have a single player selected in 2022, the Longhorns have been well-represented in the 2024 NFL draft. It’s a testament to the player development under Steve Sarkisian’s staff over the last few years.
Texas has had five players selected within the first 52 picks. Defensive tackle Byron Murphy was the first Longhorn off the board to the Seattle Seahawks at No. 16.
The Kansas City Chiefs traded up to snag speedy wide receiver Xavier Worthy in the first round with pick No. 28.
Day 2 has been a busy one for former Longhorns as well. Defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat (Tennessee Titans), running back Jonathon Brooks (Carolina Panthers) and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (Indianapolis Colts) were all selected in the second round.
For two straight NFL drafts, the Longhorns have now produced the No. 1 running back off the board. Bijan Robinson went No. 8 to the Atlanta Falcons in 2023 and Brooks was the first running back taken off the board to the Panthers in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.
The future is bright for the Texas football program.
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The Colts got a STEAL!
With the No. 58 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Continue reading “Texas WR Adonai Mitchell drafted by Colts in second round of 2024 NFL draft”
An injury didn’t derail Jonathon Brooks’ draft stock as he becomes the fourth Longhorn drafted in the Top 50 picks.
The Carolina Panthers have selected Texas running back Jonathon Brooks with the No. 46 overall pick.
Brooks was the first running back selected in the 2024 NFL draft. He follows Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson as a Texas running back to be drafted first at the position.
Many wondered if Brooks’ knee injury would make him fall down the draft board. If it did affect his draft stock, he didn’t fall very far.
Brooks ran for 1,139 yards, 10 touchdowns and six yards per carry on 187 carries before injury cut his 2023 season short. The underestimated back continues his success story in Carolina where he’ll take handoffs from second-year quarterback Bryce Young.
Brooks became the fourth Texas player drafted in the first 46 picks of the draft. He continues running backs coach Tashard Choice’s run of development after sending Bijan Robinson and backup running back Roschon Johnson to the draft last season.
Brooks will look to help Carolina back into contention in the NFC South.
The Panthers trade up to pick No. 46 and select #Texas RB Jonathon Brooks. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/b7lAVwp9s1
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) April 27, 2024
The 2023 Outland Trophy winner for the nation’s best interior defensive lineman is headed to Tennessee!
The 2023 Outland Trophy winner for the nation’s best interior defensive lineman is headed to Tennessee. Continue reading “Titans select Texas DT T’Vondre Sweat in second round of 2024 NFL draft”
