Texas Football Sets Program Record With 12 Players Taken in 7-Round Draft

The Texas Longhorns have always been a program synonymous with NFL talent, but in 2025, they reached a historic milestone that even the greats of the past never achieved. For the first time in the storied history of Texas football, the Longhorns saw 12 players selected across the seven rounds of the NFL Draft, shattering the previous program record and sending a thunderous message about the state of the program under head coach Steve Sarkisian.

It was a weekend of celebration in Austin and a powerful showcase of how far Texas has come. From first-round stars to hidden gems taken on Day 3, the Longhorns had players coming off the board at a remarkable pace — each one a testament to player development, elite recruiting, and the culture Sarkisian and his staff have steadily rebuilt over the past few years.

“We’re proud of every one of them,” Sarkisian said in a post-draft interview. “They put in the work, they believed in the vision, and they competed every day to be the best. Today is a reward for that dedication — and it’s only the beginning.”

Before this year, the most Texas players ever taken in a single draft was eight, a mark set several times, most recently in 2007. That year produced NFL standouts like Michael Griffin, Aaron Ross, and Jamaal Charles.

This year’s draft class, however, didn’t just break the record — it obliterated it.

The Longhorns’ 12 selections placed them atop the national leaderboard, ahead of traditional NFL factories like Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State. It was a symbol not just of Texas returning to national prominence after a College Football Playoff run but of the sheer depth of talent currently on the Forty Acres.

“We always knew we were loaded,” said former Longhorn linebacker Jaylan Ford, who was selected in the fourth round. “We pushed each other in practice every single day. Iron sharpens iron. That’s why you saw us ball out all year — and that’s why you’re seeing us get drafted now.”

It didn’t take long for the Longhorns to get on the board on draft night.

• Quinn Ewers, the dynamic quarterback who helped lead Texas to the CFP Semifinals, was selected No. 7 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders. Ewers’ strong arm, poise, and impressive postseason performance solidified him as a top-10 pick.
• Xavier Worthy, the electric wide receiver and 40-yard dash record holder, went No. 15 to the Indianapolis Colts, giving Anthony Richardson an immediate weapon.
• Byron Murphy II, the disruptive defensive tackle, was a surprise riser, taken No. 19 overall by the Seattle Seahawks — a testament to the way the NFL covets quick-twitch interior defenders.

In all, Texas had three first-rounders — tied for the most among any school this year.

“This is what we dreamed about growing up,” Worthy said. “Playing at Texas gave me the platform. Today, it’s a dream come true.”

What made this draft class unique wasn’t just the star power at the top — it was the depth across nearly every position group.

• Ja’Tavion Sanders, one of the most versatile tight ends in the country, went in the second round to the Cincinnati Bengals.
• Adonai Mitchell, who transferred from Georgia and blossomed in Texas’ offense, landed with the Detroit Lions early in the third round.
• Christian Jones, the experienced offensive tackle, heard his name called by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round.
• T’Vondre Sweat, the mammoth defensive lineman and Outland Trophy winner, was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round.

By the end of the seventh round, Texas had players drafted at quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, and defensive back.

Such a comprehensive distribution is rare — even among the top programs in the country — and speaks volumes about how Sarkisian has built a roster loaded with NFL-ready talent at every level.

When Steve Sarkisian arrived in Austin ahead of the 2021 season, he made bold promises: Texas would return to competing for championships and would become a pipeline to the NFL once again. After some early growing pains, those promises are now undeniable reality.

The program’s resurgence culminated with a Big 12 Championship in 2023, a trip to the College Football Playoff, and now, a record-setting draft haul.

“This is the standard moving forward,” Sarkisian said. “We want to recruit the best, develop the best, and send them to the next level prepared to succeed.”

Indeed, NFL evaluators have taken notice. One anonymous scout told ESPN, “The players coming out of Texas now are better coached, more mature, and better prepared to step into a pro locker room than they were five, six years ago. That’s coaching. That’s culture.”

If there’s one area where the Longhorns are likely to see immediate dividends from this record-breaking draft performance, it’s in recruiting.

In the high-stakes world of college football recruiting, NFL Draft success is one of the most powerful selling points a program can offer. Teenagers across the country dream of hearing their names called on draft day — and Texas can now point to 12 living, breathing examples of dreams turned into reality in just one weekend.

“It’s simple,” Sarkisian said. “If you want to develop, if you want to compete for championships, and if you want to play on Sundays — you come to Texas.”

Early returns suggest the message is resonating. Several high-profile recruits, including five-star defensive end Kellen Davis and five-star wide receiver Micah Reynolds, cited Texas’ player development as a major factor in their interest.

“Seeing what Texas did in the draft — that’s crazy,” Reynolds said. “They showed they can put you in the league and win games. That’s what you want.”

Where does this year’s Texas class rank among the all-time great draft classes from other schools? Consider:

• 2004 Miami Hurricanes (6 first-rounders, 9 total drafted)
• 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide (10 players drafted)
• 2022 Georgia Bulldogs (15 players drafted, NFL record)

While Texas didn’t match Georgia’s all-time record of 15 draftees, the 12 Longhorns selected put them firmly among the greatest single-year classes in modern college football history — especially when factoring in their postseason success.

Moreover, with multiple first-rounders and key players expected to make an impact as rookies, Texas’ 2025 class has the potential to be remembered as a cornerstone moment for the program’s future.

One reason analysts are bullish on Texas’ draft class? The fit between player and team.

• Quinn Ewers will have a chance to start immediately for the Raiders under new head coach Antonio Pierce.
• Xavier Worthy joins a Colts offense that emphasizes speed and vertical passing.
• Byron Murphy II slides into a defensive system in Seattle that traditionally thrives with disruptive interior linemen.

Landing in favorable systems could accelerate their development and allow the Longhorns’ alumni to make an immediate impact at the next level.

If 2025 was a banner year, the future might be even brighter.

Texas is moving into the Southeastern Conference (SEC) this fall — the toughest, most prestigious conference in college football — but they will arrive with a fully stocked roster and the wind at their backs.

Sarkisian and his staff have already pulled in back-to-back top-five recruiting classes, and with so many players departing for the NFL, a new wave of young talent is poised to take the baton.

Players like quarterback Arch Manning, running back CJ Baxter, and linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. are expected to step into bigger roles. If they follow in the footsteps of the 2025 draft class, the Longhorns’ record-setting run may just be getting started.

For years, the phrase “Texas is back” was thrown around, often sarcastically, every time the Longhorns showed a glimpse of promise.

But after a College Football Playoff appearance, a Big 12 title, and now a historic NFL Draft haul, there’s no denying it anymore: Texas isn’t just back — they’re establishing themselves as a powerhouse once again.

And with a clear blueprint for success in place, the best might still be yet to come.

“Twelve players drafted,” Sarkisian said with a smile. “That’s something they can never take away. That’s Texas Football.”