As the NFL playoffs have progressed, we’ve been keeping a close eye on former Texas players in their quest for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
The Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens currently employ the highest number of former Longhorns, but both teams unfortunately lost in the divisional round of playoffs.
There are now only three former Longhorns, each of which were drafted in the 2013 NFL Draft, that remain in the hunt for the Lombardi Trophy. Two of these players have been placed on injured reserve throughout the 2019 season, but the impact they’ve made to their respective programs shouldn’t go unnoticed.
Kenny Vaccaro, S, Tennessee Titans
Vaccaro has played in every game of the 2019 regular season, finishing with 84 combined tackles and one interception. The safety for the Titans has also excelled in the playoffs thus far, including an exciting interception in the divisional round to help clinch the upset over the No. 1 seed Ravens.
Although the former first-round pick has qualified for the postseason twice in 2013 and 2017 with the New Orleans Saints, Vaccaro landed on injured reserve late in the regular season both times. Vaccaro was selected No. 15 overall by the Saints in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Alex Okafor, OLB, Kansas City Chiefs
Okafor played in ten games throughout the 2019 season before a torn pectoral muscle landed him on injured reserve in Week 15. The former Longhorn spent time with the Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints before signing with the Chiefs in March. Okafor looked impressive in the minimal games played, finishing with 22 combined tackles and five sacks.
The former Longhorns most impressive appearance with Kansas City came in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos, where he sacked Joe Flacco twice in the 30-6 win. Okafor was a fourth-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Marquise Goodwin, WR, San Francisco 49’ers
Goodwin appeared in nine games with the 49’ers this season. The speedy receiver finished his seventh season in the league with 12 receptions for 186 yards and one touchdown before being placed on injured reserve in December for chronic knee and foot injuries.
Although this will likely be Goodwin’s last season with San Francisco, he still showed positive flashes for the franchise in previous seasons. Goodwin played in all 16 contests in 2017, catching 56 passes for 962 yards. The Buffalo Bills selected Goodwin in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Vaccaro will be the only former Texas player competing on the field next weekend with the AFC Championship on the line. Which of these three teams have the best shot of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy?