Texas Football: Top 5 early Longhorns prospects for 2021 NFL Draft
1. Sam Cosmi, Offensive Tackle
It doesn’t seem like any one current Longhorn has a higher floor on his draft stock among the early projected first or second round picks than rising redshirt junior offensive tackle Sam Cosmi. Last year, Cosmi did have some anticipating that he could declare early for the 2020 NFL Draft following the 2019 season. But he did decide to come back for at least one more year under offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator Herb Hand.
Down the stretch last season, Cosmi spearheaded an offensive line that was holding up in the pocket much better and more consistently for Ehlinger. And they powered up a more efficient ground game down the stretch between breakthroughs from sophomore running back Keaontay Ingram and then true freshman converted quarterback Roschon Johnson.
Cosmi could also have the draft stock of a number of other skill position players for the Longhorns in his hands. That goes for a number of other Texas projected starting offensive linemen too. The likes of Ehlinger, Ingram, Roschon, etc. could all have their draft stock positively impacted down the road if the line plays better this coming season.
Next. 3 former Longhorns who declared too early for the NFL Draft. dark
In his college career thus far, Cosmi has started in 26 career games. He was an All-Big 12 honoree last season, and was named an honorable mention for the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year. He did also receive USA Today Freshman All-American Team honors back in 2018. This 6-foot-7 and 310 pound sizable offensive tackle should fall in the top 15, as it stands now, in the 2021 NFL Draft.