Texas Football: Longhorns had more NFL Draft picks than Aggies in 2021

A better class than we’ve seen in recent years coming out of the Texas football program to the NFL Draft transpired over the weekend. Five Texas Exes were picked up in the 2021 NFL Draft during the weekend festivities in Cleveland, OH. It was a nice showing for Texas, especially considering there were at least two more that could’ve come off the board on day three.

The five former Longhorns players that were drafted in this year’s class were good for the most of any Power Five program in this state. That’s a solid accomplishment for the Longhorns considering their recent success in the NFL Draft, or lack thereof.

Most relevant was the fact that the Longhorns had five players drafted in this year’s class, one more than the four from the rival Texas A&M Aggies out of the SEC West. Texas A&M also didn’t have their first player come off the board until the third round of the 2021 draft, with quarterback Kellen Mond landing with the Minnesota Vikings 66th overall.

The first Texas Ex off of the board in the 2021 draft was offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi, who landed with the Washington Football Team 51st overall in the second round. Then edge rusher Joseph Ossai was picked up by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round, 69th overall.

Texas football at least one-upping every other program in this state in the NFL Draft

Texas also had a couple of day three picks going in the fifth round, with safety Caden Sterns and defensive end Ta’Quon Graham. To cap it all off, former Longhorns senior star quarterback Sam Ehlinger was selected by the Indianapolis Colts 217th overall in the sixth round.

The other three of the Aggies’ four picks in the 2021 draft came in the fourth round, including defensive lineman Bobby Brown III and linebacker Buddy Johnson.

Player development was a calling card for the hiring of new head coach Steve Sarkisian. That storyline ultimately played a role in the demise of former Texas head coaches Tom Herman and Charlie Strong. Sark needs to get this right, and it’s nice to see some Texas Exes getting a head start in that regard in the 2021 draft.

Texas finished up last season with a record of 7-3 (5-3 Big 12) under the direction of former head coach Herman. Then, the former Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Sark replaced Herman as head coach on Jan. 2.