Top 10 Texas Prospects for Upcoming NFL Drafts: Longhorns Future Stars

Colin Simmons - EDGE - Freshman

Colin Simmons was a decorated recruit who Texas landed. He was expected to be a good player, but he has shown up much quicker than expected and looks like a future star. Despite playing a part-time role with limited snaps, Simmons has four sacks (second on the team) and 7.5 tackles for loss (second on the team) and looks disruptive every time he is on the field. Simmons is getting more snaps as the season progresses, and by the time he’s draft-eligible, he is projected to be a top-ten pick.

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Gunnar Helm - Tight End - Senior

Gunnar Helm did not enter the season as a standout option on the Texas offense, but his 2024 campaign has made him a potential Day 2 NFL Draft selection. Helm is a good receiving option that has shown to be a capable blocker. He would slot below Colston Loveland from Michigan and Tyler Warren from Penn State in the tight end rankings and would compete with Mason Taylor to be the third tight end off the board.

Isaiah Bond - Wide Receiver - Junior

Alabama transfer Isaiah Bond has had a strong 2024 season and has emerged as the top target for Texas in the passing game. His best asset is his explosive speed, but draft analysts also note his ability to catch through contact. He is currently rated as a top-five draft-eligible wide receiver, and his 380 yards are tops among Texas wide receivers.

Ryan Wingo - Wide Receiver - Freshman

Ryan Wingo is only a freshman but has the tools to become a high-end draft pick in the next few years. He is a physical specimen and leads Texas with 17.26 yards per reception. Wingo is mainly used as a catch-and-run option, but once he refines his route-running skills and gets more experience, the sky is the limit. It would not be surprising to see Wingo eventually be a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft after his junior season.

Arch Manning - Quarterback - Redshirt Freshman

Quinn Ewers has not done his draft stock any favors this season. He got injured again, and his arm strength and mobility are significant question marks. Arch Manning is all-potential at this point, but his flashes of athleticism combined with his pedigree as a Manning still make him a very intriguing prospect. The redshirt freshman will probably be the Texas starter in 2025 and have a chance to turn that potential into production and refine his draft stock.

Barryn Sorrell - Linebacker - Senior

Barryn Sorrell is a veteran of the Texas defense and projects as a back-end NFL Draft prospect who could test well through the draft process and squeak into the fourth or fifth round. He has 5.5 tackles for loss on the season (third on the team), 2.5 sacks (third on the team), and enough athleticism to be a rotational player in the NFL as an edge rusher.

Trey Moore - EDGE - Junior

Trey Moore has the look of an elite pass-rusher. He also has one season of outstanding production at UTSA on his resume. Moore transferred to Texas for this season and was expected to be a top-end sack artist for the Longhorns but has not had any impact. Despite playing in all eight games, Moore has only one-half of a tackle for loss and only 13 total tackles. Still, he has enough athleticism to make an NFL team take a chance on his ability.

Anthony Hill Jr. - Linebacker - Sophomore

Anthony Hill is a sophomore who plays a position that isn’t valued highly in the NFL Draft but is a terrific football player. The middle linebacker leads Texas in tackles (58 total), tackles for loss (10) and sacks (5.5). Hill is athletic, cerebral, instinctive, and explosive. If the defense needs a play to be made, he seems to be the one that makes it. He won’t be draft-eligible until the 2026 NFL Draft, but he’ll be a Day 2 pick whenever he goes pro unless a team falls in love and drafts him earlier.

Malik Muhammad - Cornerback - Sophomore

Malik Muhammad transferred from Washington to help Steve Sarkisian address the weak pass defense for the Texas Longhorns. He has played very well in 2024 and will be a coveted boundary/outside cornerback when draft-eligible after the 2025 season. Muhammad is not the biggest or longest cornerback, but he’s big enough to compete in the NFL. He has shown the ball skills to have a role and be a probable Day 2 draft pick.

Colin Simmons - EDGE - Freshman

Colin Simmons was a decorated recruit who Texas landed. He was expected to be a good player, but he has shown up much quicker than expected and looks like a future star. Despite playing a part-time role with limited snaps, Simmons has four sacks (second on the team) and 7.5 tackles for loss (second on the team) and looks disruptive every time he is on the field. Simmons is getting more snaps as the season progresses, and by the time he’s draft-eligible, he is projected to be a top-ten pick.

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