Texas WR shockingly shoots into top-10 on latest NFL Mock Draft - and it isn't Matthew Golden
Story by Liam Willerup
Texas WR shockingly shoots into top-10 on latest NFL Mock Draft - and it isn't Matthew Golden
Now with the college football season over as the Ohio State Buckeyes walked away as winners of the 12-team College Football Playoffs, the attention shifts to the 2025 NFL Draft as players are beginning that process already with the East-West Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl practices both underway. Along with that process comes the release of NFL Mock Drafts, as now the draft order is all but set for 2025 with only the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs to be determined for the final two selections.
A program expected to see a plethora of their players come off the board in April's NFL Draft is the Texas Longhorns. From offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. to defensive back Jahdae Barron, three or more Longhorns haven't been selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since 1980. In the recent edition of the Sporting News 2025 NFL Mock Draft, a prediction has been made for an unlikely Longhorn to make his climb into the Top 10.
Mocked eighth overall to the Carolina Panthers, Sporting News projects they'll look to add the big-play threat of Isaiah Bond to be a top option for the former top overall selection Bryce Young. Here's what they had to say about the pick and fit:
"The Panthers can do well for themselves by going with the best defensive player available after some historic issues stopping the run, containing the pass, and giving up points. But they also need to keep pushing Bryce Young forward with a speedy big-play threat, and it helps that he has a good previous rapport with Bond from Alabama before his transfer."
While Bond never eclipsed over 700 yards in three seasons between Alabama and Texas, the deep threat abilities of Bond would complement the existing Panthers receiver room well. If Bond does end up being selected in the Top 10, he'd be the highest-drafted receiver from the Longhorns since Roy Williams went seventh overall in 2004.
