From the Houston Chronicle (I can't believe Orangebloods or the Austin paper haven't summed up the draft):
When defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (Seattle) and wide receiver Xavier Worthy (Kansas City) were picked in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday, that was only the beginning for the Longhorns, who had one of their best showings in the draft in decades.
Texas had three players go in the second round Friday: Defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat to Tennessee, running back Jonathon Brooks to Carolina and receiver Adonai Mitchell to Indianapolis.
Six more were picked on Saturday to give Texas 11 players in the draft. Michigan, which won the national title had the most with 13. Washington, which beat Texas in the Sugar Bowl in the College Football Playoffs, and Alabama, which lost to Michigan in the Rose Bowl, had 10.
The 11 selections were the most for the Longhorns since the NFL went to a seven-round draft in 1994 and the most since 17 Longhorns were picked in 1984 (a 12-round draft).
On Saturday, tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders was the first player picked, going first in the fourth round to the Panthers where he will team up with Brooks.
"We knew with some patience he could become a great tight end," Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said of Sanders who was a top recruit as a receiver and a defensive end. "JT has elite hands, is a guy who can make contested catches, has a really high football IQ and has the ability to play not only in the pass game, but in the run game, as well. So, I know he's got huge upside and a bright, bright future ahead of him. He's still just scratching the surface."
A pair of players who stayed in Austin and passed up earlier opportunites to go pro — linebacker Jaylan Ford and receiver Jordan Whittington — went in the fifth round. Whittington was picked 37th by the Rams and Ford 40th by the Saints.
“Coach McVay and the Rams are going to absolutely love Jordan Whittington,” Sarkisian said. “There’s nobody on our team that was more valuable than J-Whitt in helping us build our program and culture in our three years at Texas.”
Also going in the fifth round were offensive tackle Christian Jones (Cy Woods) to the Cardinals at 27 and running back/returner Kielan Robinson to the Jaguars at 32.
"With the new kick returns rules in the NFL, Keilan will be an awesome weapon in that role for the Jaguars too," Sarkisian said.
Cornerback Ryan Watts was the final pick of the day, going to the Steelers in the sixth.
When defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (Seattle) and wide receiver Xavier Worthy (Kansas City) were picked in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday, that was only the beginning for the Longhorns, who had one of their best showings in the draft in decades.
Texas had three players go in the second round Friday: Defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat to Tennessee, running back Jonathon Brooks to Carolina and receiver Adonai Mitchell to Indianapolis.
Six more were picked on Saturday to give Texas 11 players in the draft. Michigan, which won the national title had the most with 13. Washington, which beat Texas in the Sugar Bowl in the College Football Playoffs, and Alabama, which lost to Michigan in the Rose Bowl, had 10.
The 11 selections were the most for the Longhorns since the NFL went to a seven-round draft in 1994 and the most since 17 Longhorns were picked in 1984 (a 12-round draft).
On Saturday, tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders was the first player picked, going first in the fourth round to the Panthers where he will team up with Brooks.
"We knew with some patience he could become a great tight end," Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said of Sanders who was a top recruit as a receiver and a defensive end. "JT has elite hands, is a guy who can make contested catches, has a really high football IQ and has the ability to play not only in the pass game, but in the run game, as well. So, I know he's got huge upside and a bright, bright future ahead of him. He's still just scratching the surface."
A pair of players who stayed in Austin and passed up earlier opportunites to go pro — linebacker Jaylan Ford and receiver Jordan Whittington — went in the fifth round. Whittington was picked 37th by the Rams and Ford 40th by the Saints.
“Coach McVay and the Rams are going to absolutely love Jordan Whittington,” Sarkisian said. “There’s nobody on our team that was more valuable than J-Whitt in helping us build our program and culture in our three years at Texas.”
Also going in the fifth round were offensive tackle Christian Jones (Cy Woods) to the Cardinals at 27 and running back/returner Kielan Robinson to the Jaguars at 32.
"With the new kick returns rules in the NFL, Keilan will be an awesome weapon in that role for the Jaguars too," Sarkisian said.
Cornerback Ryan Watts was the final pick of the day, going to the Steelers in the sixth.
