Tag: Texas Longhorns

Five Longhorns selected within first 52 picks of 2024 NFL draft

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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Texas WR Adonai Mitchell drafted by Colts in second round of 2024 NFL draft

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”

Titans select Texas DT T’Vondre Sweat in second round of 2024 NFL draft

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”

How Texas’ Xavier Worthy fits with the Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs traded up to what was the Bills pick at No. 28 in the 2024 NFL Draft to take Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy.

When the Kansas City Chiefs last traded up with the Buffalo Bills in the NFL Draft, they selected Patrick Mahomes with the No. 10 pick in 2018. Continue reading “How Texas’ Xavier Worthy fits with the Kansas City Chiefs”

How Texas DT Byron Murphy fits with the Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks selected Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II in the first pick of the Mike MacDonald era.

The Seattle Seahawks selected Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II in the first pick of the Mike MacDonald era. Continue reading “How Texas DT Byron Murphy fits with the Seattle Seahawks”

Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy gifted his high school coach a 98-inch television

#Chiefs first-round pick Xavier Worthy gifted his high school coach a 98-inch television after being selected in the 2024 NFL draft.

The excitement every NFL prospect feels heading into the draft is the product of years of hard work to fulfill a dream. Texas star Xavier Worthy’s dream came true Thursday night when he was selected 28th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 NFL draft.

“I’m coming with a mentality to work hard, earn my spot, and earn my spot in the locker room,” Worthy said in his introductory Zoom press conference. “I feel like I can play receiver; I’ve ran a whole route tree, disciplined, smart, knows the game very well, so I feel like I’m ready to compete and see what’s up in Kansas City.”

His upbringing supported and instilled a work-hard mentality, and he showed his appreciation to a former coach who helped him reach his goal.

Last week, Worthy surprised his mentor and childhood football coach, Chris Maxey, who helped inspire him throughout his journey, with a 98-inch television thanks to TCL, the NFL’s official TV partner. He posted his admiration and the incredible moment on his Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/worthyyy/reel/C6JuRNgOyye/

While playing football at Central East High School, Maxey convinced Worthy to run track and stepped in as an added parent figure. He even made the six-day trip to Virginia for the Junior Olympics in the seventh grade when his mom couldn’t take time off work.

His persistence pushed Worthy to develop into the athlete he is today, and now he’s headed to the highest level of the sport.

Byron Murphy II says he’s studied Seahawks great Michael Bennett a lot

Seattle fans now have legitimate hope that soon their defensive line will once again be the envy of the NFL.

The last time the Seattle Seahawks had a dominant defensive line it was when Cliff Avril was disrupting opponents from the edge, Red Bryant was stuffing everybody inside and Michael Bennett was wreaking havoc all over the place. Seattle fans now have legitimate hope that soon their defensive line will once again be the envy of the NFL.

Last night the team picked Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, who is the top-ranked interior defensive linemen in the 2024 draft class. Even better, Murphy is a Seahawks fans who grew up idolozing the Legion of Boom and Marshawn Lynch. Murphy also says he studied Bennett a lot.

Murphy earned the highest pass rush grade in the nation last season at his position and also did splendid work against the run.

Bennett of course set a very high standard to match – to say nothing of all the Aaron Donald comps that Murphy got during draft season. One thing he does have in common with them is his ability to disrupt from multiple positions.

Murphy told the local media last night that he’s an all-three-downs type of guy. The team views him as a 3-tech who can also play nose tackle.

That means Murphy could replace either Jarran Reed or Dre’Mont Jones in the starting lineup if the Seahawks stick with their 3-4 fronts under new head coach Mike Macdonald. Throw in Leonard Williams and Seattle should have one of the best defensive lines in the league, at least on paper.

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Speedy Texas WR Xavier Worthy selected by Chiefs in first round of 2024 NFL draft

The Chiefs just landed the fastest player in NFL Combine history.

The Kansas City Chiefs just landed the fastest player in NFL Combine history. Continue reading “Speedy Texas WR Xavier Worthy selected by Chiefs in first round of 2024 NFL draft”

2024 NFL draft: Scouting report for new Seahawks DT Byron Murphy II

Murphy is undersized but comes with extremely rare athleticism for his position.

The Seahawks used their first pick in the Mike Madonald era building up their defensive line, selecting Byron Murphy II out of Texas. Considered the top interior prospect in the 2024 NFL draft class, Murphy is undersized but comes with extremely rare athleticism for his position.

At the scouting combine, Murphy checked in at 6-foot-1, 308 pounds with 32.375″ arms and 10.25″ hands. He posted a 4.87 forty-yard dash, a 33″ vertical, a 9’3″ broad jump and 28 bench press reps.

On the field, Seattle will be getting an accomplished run defender and a brilliant pass rusher with a combination of sudden power and quickness. Here’s what the scouting report from Lance Zierlein at NFL.com had to say about Murphy’s game:

“Twitchy first-step quickness combined with flexion and power in his lower half create a recipe for disruption as a gap shooter or as a pass rusher. Murphy is powerful and well-schooled at taking on double-teams but lacks ideal mass and length for that role long-term. He’s successful at bypassing protection with sudden hands and quick feet, while his motor and passion create an activity level coaches will love.”

Murphy will boost what was already a strong defensive line on paper, having earned strong grades in run defense (80.5) and an elite grade in pass rushing (91.5) this past season. In college he lined up all over the Texas defensive line, so he should be able to earn significant playing time as a rookie.

More Seahawks Wire stories

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Seahawks select Texas DT Byron Murphy in the first round of 2024 NFL draft

Texas DT Byron Murphy is the first Longhorn off the board!

Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy is the first Longhorn off the board in the 2024 NFL draft. Continue reading “Seahawks select Texas DT Byron Murphy in the first round of 2024 NFL draft”