Texas Football: Early predictions for Longhorns in the 2021 NFL Draft
Projected early-to-middle rounders
Keaontay Ingram, Running Back
The running back room for the Longhorns will be vastly improved this coming season compared to the last three years. Texas did improve at the running back position last year after bottoming out really back in 2017. They rode the efforts of now rising junior rusher and former four-star recruit Keaontay Ingram to rejuvenate the ground game since 2018. The rise of former grad transfer Tre Watson and converted quarterback Roschon Johnson also helped Texas’ ground game of late.
In his two-year career with Texas, Ingram registered just shy of 2,000 total yards from scrimmage, 15 touchdowns, and 5.5 yards per carry. He’s hauled in 56 catches for 412 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Ingram is recently showing a ton of progress as a receiver out of the backfield and as a blocker for Ehlinger. The 6-foot and 220 pound bruiser has the combination of quickness and power that NFL teams will be looking for out of a versatile talent like Ingram.
Projected Draft Spot: Rounds 3-5
B.J. Foster, Safety/Nickelback
A diamond in the rough for the Longhorns secondary in the 2021 NFL Draft class could be rising junior nickelback B.J. Foster. The former five-star recruit and converted safety is going to be among the most explosive athletes and physically gifted safeties/defensive backs if he declares early for the 2021 draft.
During his two year career with Texas thus far, Foster registered 81 total tackles, 14.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, two interceptions, six pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. And Foster did all that in just 12 games played. The only reason that Foster wouldn’t be guaranteed as a second or late first round pick in the 2021 draft is a spotty injury history in college.
This 6-foot-2 and 210 pound nickelback might be best served to come back for his senior season with the Longhorns. But he should be an early round pick if he goes to the NFL in 2021.