Top 50 rankings.....
Banks was my top-ranked tackle before the season began, though he had a rough night against Georgia on Saturday and surrendered a sack. The junior has one pressure allowed, zero blown run blocks and one penalty (false start) on 426 snaps. Banks' game is clean, but it's his lateral agility and quick feet that scouts love and believe will help make up for a lack of ideal height. "I've never seen his length be an issue," said an AFC scouting director. "He moves too well."
The speedster of this class, Bond has a second gear that is unmatched. The Alabama transfer has hit the ground running with the Longhorns despite playing in a crowded wide receiver room. He's a developing route runner who currently excels at crossing and hook routes, where his wheels allow him to create space. While likely a slot receiver at the next level, Bond's quickness allows him to be a big-time target at that position. He has 23 catches and four TDs, and 192 of his 380 yards have come after the catch.
Williams struggled against Georgia's defense, and much of the debate about his draft stock will come down to how the first-year starter responds in following weeks. But he has the traits to be a first-rounder. With graceful agility at his size, Williams can dance with pass rushers at the line of scrimmage and be a devastating force when pulling in the run game or getting to the second level in the screen game. He's learning and developing, so no one should expect a finished product. But his ceiling is as high as any tackle in the class.
Barron has been a playmaker for the Texas secondary this season, allowing just seven receptions on 19 targets while also grabbing three interceptions. Formerly used as a slot cornerback, Barron moved to the right corner spot this season and is playing like a Thorpe Award winner. Barron's value will ultimately vary based on NFL team and scheme preferences, but he is playing as well as any corner in the country. After beginning the season as an early-Day 3 guy, Barron has moved into Round 1 territory.
Ewers came back from an oblique injury and looked great in a blowout win over rival Oklahoma, but the third-year player was benched at one point against Georgia the following week. That sums up the Ewers experience. He's accurate, reads defenses well and does a good job setting up his playmakers. But in that way, he's very much a game manager. When asked to let it rip and throw receivers open in a crowded pocket against the Bulldogs, Ewers froze. He has to play looser football and be less robotic to realize his immense potential.
The scheme and talent around Ewers are elite, so it's on him the rest of the season to put together moments and production that will show scouts his talent. He has 11 touchdown passes to four interceptions this season.
6. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 320Banks was my top-ranked tackle before the season began, though he had a rough night against Georgia on Saturday and surrendered a sack. The junior has one pressure allowed, zero blown run blocks and one penalty (false start) on 426 snaps. Banks' game is clean, but it's his lateral agility and quick feet that scouts love and believe will help make up for a lack of ideal height. "I've never seen his length be an issue," said an AFC scouting director. "He moves too well."
17. Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas*
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 180The speedster of this class, Bond has a second gear that is unmatched. The Alabama transfer has hit the ground running with the Longhorns despite playing in a crowded wide receiver room. He's a developing route runner who currently excels at crossing and hook routes, where his wheels allow him to create space. While likely a slot receiver at the next level, Bond's quickness allows him to be a big-time target at that position. He has 23 catches and four TDs, and 192 of his 380 yards have come after the catch.
19. Cameron Williams, OT, Texas*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 335Williams struggled against Georgia's defense, and much of the debate about his draft stock will come down to how the first-year starter responds in following weeks. But he has the traits to be a first-rounder. With graceful agility at his size, Williams can dance with pass rushers at the line of scrimmage and be a devastating force when pulling in the run game or getting to the second level in the screen game. He's learning and developing, so no one should expect a finished product. But his ceiling is as high as any tackle in the class.
28. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 200Barron has been a playmaker for the Texas secondary this season, allowing just seven receptions on 19 targets while also grabbing three interceptions. Formerly used as a slot cornerback, Barron moved to the right corner spot this season and is playing like a Thorpe Award winner. Barron's value will ultimately vary based on NFL team and scheme preferences, but he is playing as well as any corner in the country. After beginning the season as an early-Day 3 guy, Barron has moved into Round 1 territory.
32. Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 210Ewers came back from an oblique injury and looked great in a blowout win over rival Oklahoma, but the third-year player was benched at one point against Georgia the following week. That sums up the Ewers experience. He's accurate, reads defenses well and does a good job setting up his playmakers. But in that way, he's very much a game manager. When asked to let it rip and throw receivers open in a crowded pocket against the Bulldogs, Ewers froze. He has to play looser football and be less robotic to realize his immense potential.
The scheme and talent around Ewers are elite, so it's on him the rest of the season to put together moments and production that will show scouts his talent. He has 11 touchdown passes to four interceptions this season.
