There was this long, awkward stretch where it felt like the University of Texas was just a hat company that happened to play football. The talent was there, but it wasn't translating. You’d look at the NFL draft and see a lone Longhorn name pop up in the late rounds, or worse, none at all.
That’s basically dead and gone.
Honestly, the 2025-2026 season has been a massive reality check for anyone still holding onto the "Texas is back" memes. They aren't just back in the conversation; texas football players in nfl rosters are now some of the most dominant forces in the league. We aren't just talking about special teams' grinders or backup guards. We're talking about All-Pros. We're talking about record-breakers.
The Bijan Robinson Effect and the New Standard
If you want to know why the narrative shifted, you start with #7 in Atlanta. Bijan Robinson didn't just have a "good" sophomore-ish year; he had a historic one. In 2025, he broke the Atlanta Falcons' single-season record for yards from scrimmage with 2,298 yards.
That's not just a team record. It led the entire NFL.
He’s only the third Falcon ever to lead the league in that category, joining legends like Julio Jones. When you watch him, it’s like he’s playing a different game. He finished the regular season with 1,478 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, but his 86 forced missed tackles are what really jump out. It’s that "dad strength" but without the kids—though ironically, his teammate Byron Murphy II actually credited "dad strength" for his own breakout this year.
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More on him in a second.
The point is, Bijan being named a First-Team All-Pro in January 2026 isn't a fluke. It’s the spearhead of a movement. Under Steve Sarkisian, the pipeline has been retooled to produce players who don’t need a "redshirt" year in the pros. They walk in and they take over.
Why the 2025 Draft Changed Everything
Last April was a fever dream for Longhorn fans. 12 players. A program record.
When Kelvin Banks Jr. went 9th overall to the Saints and Jahdae Barron went 20th to the Broncos, it signaled that NFL GMs finally trust the development in Austin again. But it’s the variety that’s interesting. You’ve got Matthew Golden catching passes in Green Bay and Alfred Collins causing headaches for offensive coordinators in San Francisco.
The Breakout Stars of the 2025-2026 Season
- Byron Murphy II (Seattle Seahawks): The guy is a monster. Jarran Reed called him a "Defensive Player of the Year" caliber talent, and he wasn't exaggerating much. Murphy finished the early part of the 2025 season with 4.5 sacks in his first six games. He even sacked Aaron Rodgers—a moment he says he’ll never forget.
- Xavier Worthy (Kansas City Chiefs): Speed still kills. While his receiving stats were a bit up and down—finishing with 532 yards and a lone touchdown—his gravity on the field is what lets Patrick Mahomes operate. He’s the deep threat that keeps safeties up at night.
- Adonai Mitchell (New York Jets): This was a weird one. He started the year with the Colts, got traded to the Jets in November for Sauce Gardner (plus some picks), and immediately found a rhythm. He put up a 102-yard game against the Falcons right after the trade.
It’s kinda wild to see how quickly these guys adapt. Usually, rookie wideouts hit a wall. Mitchell and Worthy just ran through it.
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The Trenches and the "Quiet" Impact
We focus on the fantasy stars, but the real health of the program shows up on the offensive line. Seeing three Texas linemen—Kelvin Banks Jr., Cameron Williams, and Hayden Conner—all go in the same draft for the first time since 1982? That’s the real flex.
NFL scouts used to dog Texas for being "soft" up front.
Not anymore.
Banks has been an immediate-impact player for New Orleans. If you watch the tape, he’s not playing like a rookie. His 5.16-second 40-yard dash at the combine was impressive, but his lateral movement in pass protection is what’s keeping quarterbacks upright.
Then you have the specialists. Michael Dickson is still, arguably, the best punter in the world. He was named an All-Pro again in 2026. Cameron Dicker (Dicker the Kicker) is automatic for the Chargers. It’s a complete takeover from top to bottom.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Pipeline
People think Texas' success in the NFL is just about recruiting five-star athletes. That’s a part of it, sure. But look at guys like Moro Ojomo in Philly or Roschon Johnson in Chicago. These weren't necessarily the "flashiest" names, but they are carving out long-term roles because of their technical floor.
The "Sark Effect" is real.
The scheme they run in Austin is basically an NFL lite system. It’s why you see someone like Jahdae Barron—the 2024 Jim Thorpe winner—transition so seamlessly to the Broncos' secondary. He recorded a 4.39 40-yard dash, but his football IQ is what got him on the field for 17 games as a rookie.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking texas football players in nfl for your dynasty league or just because you bleed burnt orange, keep an eye on these specific trends:
- Watch the Trade Market: The Adonai Mitchell trade proved that former Longhorns are high-value chips. Teams want these guys because they are "pro-ready."
- Second-Year Jumps: Keep a close eye on Jonathon Brooks in Carolina. After coming off that ACL injury in college, his 2025 season was a ramp-up. 2026 is likely his true "arrival" year.
- The Defensive Shift: For years, Texas was a "WR school." Right now, the value is in the interior D-line. Byron Murphy II and T'Vondre Sweat are changing how teams draft for the "anchor" position.
The 2025-2026 season proved that the University of Texas is no longer just a brand. It’s an NFL factory. Whether it’s Bijan Robinson rewriting the record books in Atlanta or a rookie tackle holding down the blindside in New Orleans, the footprint is everywhere.
For a program that spent a decade wandering the wilderness, the current reality is pretty simple: if you want elite NFL production, you look toward the Forty Acres.
Next Steps for Tracking Longhorns in the Pros:
- Check the official NFL All-Pro rosters released in January 2026 to see the final tallies for Robinson and Dickson.
- Monitor the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine results in March; with Arch Manning and other high-profile names eventually heading that way, the "Texas Fast" trend is only going to accelerate.
- Review the New York Jets' offensive snaps for Adonai Mitchell to see how his role expands in his first full off-season with the team.