It’s never too early to take a glance at the top prospects eligible for the 2021 NFL Draft.
While the 2020 event produced only three draft picks from Texas beginning in the third round, those numbers are expected to drastically climb next year.
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence will likely grab each and every headline, but Texas currently has two players that can legitimately become first round draft picks when the time comes.
Offensive tackle Sam Cosmi appears to be a consensus top 20 prospect. He requested NFL feedback prior to the 2020 NFL Draft before ultimately announcing his return to Austin.
In 2019, Cosmi received honorable mention for the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year award. If he continues on this same path, the 6-7, 300-pound left tackle would join Connor Williams as the only Longhorn linemen selected since 2008.
Our colleagues at the Draft Wire released their top 50 prospects, where Texas safety Caden Sterns also appeared on the list. Cosmi landed as the No. 13 overall prospect, while Sterns was listed at No. 33. Sterns has the raw talent, but health has remained his biggest question mark.
When he’s not dealing with an injury, Sterns is arguably the best defensive back in the Big 12. As a true freshman in 2018, Sterns was named Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and first team All-Big 12. He led the Longhorns with four interceptions as a freshman and compiled 62 tackles with three tackles for loss.
Although Sterns missed a handful of games in 2019, he recorded a career-high 12 tackles, including 10 solo tackles in Texas’ Big 12 opener against Oklahoma State.
If both Cosmi and Sterns can remain healthy and put together a solid season in 2020, there’s no doubt that their NFL draft stock will be heavily discussed for months to come.