Three Texas Longhorns were selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., defensive back Jahdae Barron, and wide receiver Matthew Golden all heard their names called as their dreams came true and their professional football careers began.
During night one, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian was active on social media, sharing his thoughts and congratulations as his former players were drafted. Afterwards, he shared even more kind words about the Longhorns.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian on Kelvin Banks Jr.
"I think Kelvin's your perfect Longhorn. I've said this all along, I would tell any player coming into our program, if you want to be great, be like Kelvin Banks. His demeanor, his work ethic, his drive, his attention to detail, his ability to remain consistent in his approach on and off the field, it all shows in his play.
"He's a high-level player who obviously has all the measurables that the NFL is looking for in a great left tackle, and he started there for us from the day he arrived as a freshman. In just his second career start, he had to block [Alabama's] Will Anderson and Dallas Turner as a true freshman and didn't flinch. He had a great game, and that was just the beginning of a tremendous career here at Texas
"Kelvin had to block so many of the premier defensive ends in the country during his time here, but the thing about him that I know the NFL really values, and we do too, is reliability. You can absolutely count on him.
"When you can couple that with the skill set, the measurables, and know that he's still only played three years of college football, he is an absolute no-brainer of a first-round pick. He's accomplished so much, but his best days are still ahead of him."
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian on Jahdae Barron
"You see the Thorpe Award and all the honors and recognition that Jahdae earned, and it truly exemplifies sticking with the process, putting in the work, and doing all the little things to make big things happen.
"When I think of the growth and development he made during his time with us, it's been pretty amazing. When we first got here, he was playing nickel for us in our star position, and he did that for about two years. Then we started to transition him into player corner in our base defense while still playing nickel in our nickel packages.
"That evolved into him at times playing nickel, some safety, and dime linebacker in those packages. This year, we really made him our starting corner, and he has become a lockdown guy at that spot.
"So, you just think about the multitude of things that you have to be able to do to play nickel, safety, corner, dime linebacker, and that should tell you about his football IQ, his versatility, his preparation and study habits, his playmaking and instincts.
"Jahdae's got a knack for the ball, he's a very savvy football player, yet he has a very good skill set. He's physical, he can blitz, he can tackle, he can cover, he's a very good zone defender, he can identify route combinations, and he makes plays."
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian on Matthew Golden
"He showed everyone his speed and explosiveness at the combine, but what a great player Matthew Golden is. What I really loved about him was the way her worked, his commitment to his craft, and how he got better as the year went on.
"He came to us from more of an air raid system at Houston, so the transition wasn't as easy, but the end result was that he was our most productive and reliable receiver. He's a fantastic player.
"Matt showed everyone how fast he was with that 40 time, but his short-area quickness, how he gets in and out of breaks, makes him truly elite. He has extremely strong hands, makes contested catches, can do it at all three levels - whether it's the short game, the intermediate, the deep balls - and he's at his best in the most critical moments.
"You top that off with the blue-collar attitude he has, the fact that he's a great teammate who you can really count on day in and day out, that's what separates him. He works, he's no nonsense, he's tough, and does the dirty work blocking linebackers, safeties, and even defensive backs. All in all, I think this guy is getting all that he deserves, and Green Bay is going to love him."