3 Texas players who can be first-round 2025 NFL Draft picks
It's the time of year to look ahead to the next NFL Draft for Texas football after a historic class in 2024. Texas had a record-breaking 11 players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, including two players selected in the first round.
Texas football players to watch to be first-round NFL Draft picks in 2025
All 11 Longhorns players invited to the 2024 NFL Combine were selected in the first six rounds of the draft. It is the first time that the Longhorns had double-digit players selected in the draft's first six rounds since the NFL moved to the seven-round model in 1994.
It was clearly a great week/weekend to be a Longhorn in the last few days. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has elevated the player development and on-field success after a decade of letdowns in the win column and thus the NFL Draft on the Forty Acres.
Given the current trajectory of the program and with player development and talent evaluation on the 40 entering the SEC this upcoming season, Texas is expected to have another successful draft class in 2025 with multiple early-round picks. Here's an early look at three Longhorns players who could be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Honorable Mentions
Isaiah Bond, WR
A handful of early mock drafts for 2025 project junior wide receiver Isaiah Bond to be selected late in the first round. Bond has that wirey frame and tremendous playmaking ability when he gets the ball in space, which is so common in today's game in college and the NFL.
Texas has proven it can produce high draft picks among players added to the roster from the transfer portal, especially at wideout.
The Longhorns had three former transfers selected in the 2024 draft, including former Georgia wide receiver Adonai Mitchell going in the second round to the Indianapolis Colts (52nd overall).
DJ Campbell, IOL
Texas could possibly have multiple projected starting offensive linemen enter the NFL Draft after the conclusion of the 2024 season. Junior offensive guard DJ Campbell could declare early for the 2025 draft if he has another solid year of improvement and really comes into his own this upcoming season.
Campbell is one of the most physically imposing and overwhelming guards you'll find in the SEC this upcoming season. He just needs to be more consistent with his communication of different blocking schemes up front and perform more reliably as an interior run blocker and he could be an early-round pick if he declares for the 2025 draft.
Alfred Collins, DL
Senior defensive tackle Alfred Collins could be selected as high as the middle picks in the first round of the 2025 draft. He has an incredibly high ceiling that Texas fans have known about for multiple years since he arrived on campus as a highly touted five-star recruit out of high school in the 2020 class.
The biggest question mark for Collins has always been consistency. He's shown signs of becoming a more reliable potential all-conference-caliber starter along the interior defensive line in the last couple of years for the Longhorns.
This is a true make it or break it year for Collins in 2024 regarding the ability to improve his NFL Draft outlook for next spring.