Honestly, if you took a time machine back to 2021, the idea of the Texas Longhorns being an absolute juggernaut in the NFL draft would’ve felt like a fever dream. Back then, the program was coming off a season where exactly zero players were drafted. Zero. For a blue-blood program in Austin, that’s not just embarrassing; it’s a crisis.
Fast forward to right now, January 2026. The narrative hasn't just shifted—it’s been completely rewritten. Steve Sarkisian didn’t just fix the culture; he turned the Forty Acres into a high-speed assembly line for Sunday talent. We aren't just talking about a few late-round flyers anymore. We’re talking about an army. As we head into the 2026 postseason, there are 33 former Longhorns populating NFL rosters or coaching staffs. That's a staggering number when you consider where this started.
The 2024 and 2025 Draft Classes Changed Everything
The turning point was 2024. That year, the Longhorns set a modern-era school record with 11 players selected. Then, just to prove it wasn't a fluke, the 2025 draft happened. Twelve more guys went. You don’t just stumble into 23 draft picks in two years. That’s development.
Take a look at the heavy hitters from that 2025 class. You’ve got Kelvin Banks Jr. going No. 9 overall to the Saints. He signed a deal worth roughly $27.7 million, all of it guaranteed. That’s "set-your-grandkids-up" money. Then there’s Jahdae Barron over in Denver and Matthew Golden in Green Bay, both first-rounders who are already seeing significant snaps.
It's weirdly refreshing to see Texas players actually living up to the hype once they get to the league. For years, the knock on Texas was that they had the four and five-star recruits but couldn’t coach them up. Now? NFL scouts are camping out in Austin because they know the guys coming out of that building are "pro-ready."
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Bijan Robinson is the Standard
If you want to talk about the face of the Texas Longhorns in the NFL, it begins and ends with No. 7 in Atlanta. Bijan Robinson is basically a walking highlight reel. He just wrapped up a 2025 regular season where he racked up 1,478 rushing yards.
What’s wild is his versatility. He didn't just run for seven touchdowns; he also caught nearly 80 passes for over 800 yards. That puts him in that rare Christian McCaffrey tier of "positionless" players who keep defensive coordinators awake at night. He was a Pro Bowl lock this year for a reason.
- Bijan’s 2025 Stats: 287 carries, 1,478 yards, 5.2 YPC.
- Receiving: 79 catches, 820 yards, 4 TDs.
- Accolades: Second consecutive Pro Bowl selection.
He’s not alone, though. Xavier Worthy is still terrifying safeties with that record-breaking 4.21 speed. In Kansas City, he’s become the deep threat Patrick Mahomes was missing since Tyreek Hill left. You’ve seen the clips. One step, and he’s three yards past the corner. It’s effortless.
The Specialists and the Grinders
People always forget the specialists. Texas basically owns the kicking market right now. Justin Tucker is the GOAT, obviously, though he had a slightly "human" year by his standards, missing a few more than usual. But then you have Cameron Dicker (Dicker the Kicker) with the Chargers. The guy is a machine. He’s hitting at over 90% and joined Bijan on the Pro Bowl roster this year.
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And don't sleep on Michael Dickson in Seattle. Punting isn't sexy until you need someone to pin a team at the 2-yard line with a ball that spins like it's possessed. He’s been doing that for years.
Then there are the "bounce-back" stories. DeMarvion Overshown missed his entire rookie year with an ACL tear. Most guys take a while to find their footing after that. Overshown? He came back and put up 90 tackles and five sacks for the Cowboys. He plays like he’s shot out of a cannon.
Real Talk: The "Draft Stock" Reality
Not everyone gets the $27 million Kelvin Banks contract. Take a guy like Jaydon Blue, who went to Dallas in the 5th round last year. His total contract is around $4.6 million, but his signing bonus—the only truly "safe" money—was about $427,000.
In the NFL, that’s a "prove it" deal. If you don't perform, you're gone. But that's the beauty of the current Texas pipeline. These guys are grinders. Blue spent his rookie year showing he’s one of the most explosive sub-packages in the league.
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What’s Next for the Longhorn Pipeline?
The 2026 draft is already looking juicy. Malik Muhammad just accepted his Senior Bowl invite. He’s a guy who didn't just play at Texas; he dominated. Scouts have him pegged as a potential Day 2 pick, but a strong showing in Mobile could push him into that late first-round conversation. He’s got that "alpha" corner mentality that NFL teams crave.
We’re also seeing a massive coaching influence. Kyle Shanahan is the obvious one—taking the 49ers deep into the playoffs again—but you’ve got guys like Richard Hightower in Chicago and Rodrique Wright in Houston making waves. It’s a full-circle ecosystem.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors:
- Watch the Broncos/Seahawks: These teams are currently "Texas North." If you’re looking for Longhorn representation in the playoffs, these rosters are loaded with them (Barron, Locke, Roach in Denver; Murphy II and Dickson in Seattle).
- Dynasty Fantasy Value: Keep an eye on Ja'Tavion Sanders in Carolina. Tight ends usually take three years to pop. He’s entering that "Year 3" window soon, and his chemistry with his QB is starting to look real.
- Draft Watch: Keep tabs on Malik Muhammad’s 1-on-1 drills at the Senior Bowl. His ability to press at the line is his calling card.
The days of wondering if Texas is "back" are over. In the NFL, they never left—they just took a short break to reload the chamber. Now, the league is feeling the impact of the Forty Acres every single Sunday.
Next Step for You: If you're tracking the 2026 NFL Draft, keep an eye on the official Senior Bowl rosters released later this month to see which other Longhorns join Malik Muhammad in Mobile. You can also monitor the NFL's official transaction wire for any practice squad elevations as the playoffs heat up.