The Texas Longhorns had two first round draft picks in their 2024 NFL draft class. One of the selections would have been a surprise last offseason.
Byron Murphy rose from a largely unknown player to the No. 16 overall pick and No. 1 defensive tackle in the first round of this year’s NFL draft. It was the opposite path of his fellow first round teammate Xavier Worthy.
Worthy, the dynamic receiver for the Longhorns, broke out as a freshman. Since then, his ceiling was clear. If he reached his potential, the California native would see his name called in the first round of the draft.
Texas has players in either category heading into the 2024 season. At least four Longhorns have been represented in mock drafts for 2025, but two have been among the most popular. They are Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
There could be plenty of surprises among players not included on this list, but a few stand out as potential first rounders for the Longhorns. With around a year until the 2025 draft, let’s look at the six Texas players most likely to push for a first round selection.
Kelvin Banks Jr., Left Tackle
Dec 2, 2023; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. (78) during the second quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports
Banks is as close to a first round lock as Texas has had in a long time. Elite running back Bijan Robinson was first round caliber, but played what has become a devalued position. Xavier Worthy had consistency concerns. It’s uncertain if Byron Murphy was seeing first round consideration until well into his final season in Austin. Banks has been elite from the first game of his freshman season in 2022. Barring a dramatic falloff in 2024, Banks should be a first rounder.
Quinn Ewers, Quarterback
Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) throws a pass during the game against Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 9, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Contrary to what some of Texas faithful might believe, Ewers is far from a first round lock. That said, he does have a solid chance of being drafted in the first round. He can make throws that many quarterbacks can’t make, but he struggles at times to make throws that for other quarterbacks are layups. His performance in the two Alabama games and last season’s Big 12 championship tell you how he performs in big moments. Should he show out against Michigan, Oklahoma and Georgia this season, scouts may have difficulty overlooking his big game track record.
Ethan Burke, Edge
Sep 9, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) fends of Texas Longhorns defensive end Ethan Burke (91) as he scrambles out of the pocket at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Texas defeated Alabama 34-24. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr. -USA TODAY Sports
Some view Burke as a potential Top 10 overall draft pick. I am not quite sold on that prediction, but his range and ability to make a shoestring tackle to prevent explosive plays jump off the film. That along with a productive season in his first extended playing time last year make Burke a player with first round potential. He has the length that fellow edge Trey Moore doesn’t have, though Moore may end up the more productive player in 2024.
Andrew Mukuba, Safety
Clemson safety Andrew Mukuba (1) during the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia Monday, September 5, 2022.
We don’t want to overhype Texas portal additions, because it’s uncertain how they’ll perform with their new team. But Andrew Mukuba in a best case scenario could make the leap into the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. The former Austin LBJ high school product has started the last three seasons for head coach Dabo Swinney at Clemson. If he can stay healthy and shore up the Texas secondary, Mukuba could be a first round player.
Alfred Collins, Defensive Tackle
Texas defensive lineman Alfred Collins (95) raises his arm to attempt to block a pass from Kansas quarterback Jason Bean (9) in the second quarter of the Longhorns’ game against the Kansas Jayhawks, Saturday, Sept. 30 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.
Alfred Collins has the ability to become a first round pick this season. I still think he could be that good, though he has plenty to prove. After making plays in 2020, Collins hasn’t seen the opportunity we would have liked since Pete Kwiatkowski took over as defensive coordinator. The 2024 season is teed up for the former five star to break out. Collins appeared bulked up in the Orange-White game and scored a touchdown on an interception in his first defensive possession. With the requisite weight to match highlight playmaking ability, Collins could break out like Byron Murphy, T’Vondre Sweat and Keondre Coburn did in their final season at defensive tackle in Austin.
Isaiah Bond, Wide Receiver
Texas Longhorns wide receiver Isaiah Bond during football spring practice at the Frank Denius practice fields in Austin, Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
Bond is going to have to be productive to earn a first round selection at wide receiver in 2025. He’ll have to do so with DeAndre Moore, Ryan Wingo, Johntay Cook, Matthew Golden and Silas Bolden all vying for targets. That said, the Alabama transfer displayed speed and power as a route runner and downfield threat in Tuscaloosa. We could see a few highlight plays from Bond on his way to a late first round selection.
