Texas undrafted free agent tracker: Where Horns have signed
It was a historic 2024 NFL Draft for the Texas football program, having double-digit players selected in the same draft for the first time in four decades (since 1984). All 11 Texas Exes invited to the 2024 NFL Combine were selected in the first six rounds of the draft.
Tracking Texas football undrafted free agents after the 2024 NFL Draft
Junior defensive tackle Byron Murphy II and junior wide receiver Xavier Worthy began the festivities as the two Texas players selected in the first round of the 2024 draft. Murphy was selected by the Seattle Seahawks 16th overall and was the second defensive player to be taken off the board on Day 1.
The Kansas City Chiefs traded up a few spots late in the first round to select Worthy 28th overall.
Texas's run of draft picks in this class continued on Day 2, with two skill players and another defensive tackle being selected. Senior defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat was the first Longhorn to hear his name called on Day 2, going 38th overall to the Tennessee Titans in the second round.
Running back Jonathon Brooks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell completed the run of Longhorns selected in the first two days of the 2024 draft.
Another half-dozen Longhorns players heard their names called on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft, including tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders, going to the Carolina Panthers with the first pick of the fourth round (101st overall).
With all 11 Longhorns players who were invited to the combine being selected in the 2024 draft, that only leaves a handful of other Texas Exes still available as undrafted free agents.
Here's a look at the status of the two remaining former Longhorns
Ryan Sanborn, P (Atlanta Falcons)
Senior punter Ryan Sanborn is looking for a shot on an NFL roster after one season handling the punting duties for Jeff Banks and the Longhorns in 2023. Sanborn started his collegiate career at Stanford, where he was the highest-graded punter in the Pac-12 in his last season in Palo Alto in 2022.
Only one punter was selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, leaving ample opportunities for those like Sanborn to still get a shot to make a roster as an undrafted free agent.
Per On Texas Football's CJ Vogel, the Atlanta Falcons have signed Sanborn as a UDFA.
Jett Bush, OLB (New England Patriots)
The other Texas Ex looking for a shot to make an NFL roster after the 2024 draft is senior linebacker/edge rusher Jett Bush. The former walk-on had a pretty incredible journey to get to this point. Bush emerged as a regular contributor on the two-deep along Texas's defensive front in the last three seasons.
The 6-foot-2 and 235-pound outside backer Bush registered nearly 50 combined tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 26 quarterback pressures, and 3.5 sacks since 2021 for the Longhorns.
Per a post on the Texas football X account on the night of April 27, Bush has signed as a UDFA with the New England Patriots.
Junior Angilau, OL* (transferred to Oregon)
Among the former Texas transfers who left the program in the last couple of years, Oregon Ducks super senior interior offensive lineman Junior Angilau stands out. Angilau transferred from Texas to Oregon after starting along the Longhorns offensive line for three years.
Various injury issues caused Angilau to miss large swaths of the last two college football seasons at Texas and Oregon, respectively.
Tyler Owens, S* (transferred to Texas Tech), Washington Commanders
After spending three seasons at Texas from 2019-2021, safety Tyler Owens transferred to Texas Tech ahead of the 2022 campaign. Owens started at safety for Texas Tech in 2022 and 2023, where he registered 56 combined tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception, four pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.