This year there are many former Longhorns hoping to hear their name called in the NFL Draft. Some players were invited to the NFL Combine while others had to prove themselves at Texas’ pro day. Here are my predictions on where these players will get drafted:
Andrew Beck- Undrafted Free Agent
Andrew Beck stepped up his senior season by being fourth on the team in catches with 28. He had 281 yards and 2 touchdowns on those 28 receptions. Those are pretty solid numbers for a Tight End, but most of his production came from last season. In his career, he totaled 39 catches for 435 yards and 4 TDs. However, Beck did demonstrate his leadership as a captain on the team and did put up impressive numbers at pro day. He does have talent but I don’t think that it will translate well to the NFL especially with there being are many solid TE prospects this year. All of those factors will likely hinder Beck’s chances of getting drafted.
Kris Boyd- Mid Third Round
Kris Boyd built off of his solid junior season with an equally impressive senior year. Boyd was a menace while the ball was in the air and while tackling. He had 54 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss (TFL) and 1 sack. He played solid coverage with 15 pass breakups. At the combine, he posted a 4.45 sec. forty time (8th best among CB), and a 127 in. broad jump (11th best among CB). Although he put up solid numbers, he often struggled getting burned on the deep ball. That’s why I have him in the third round instead of the second. He has a lot of talent and upside and can be molded into a starting NFL corner.
Davante Davis- Fifth Round
Devante Davis made big improvements going from his junior season into his senior season. He had 42 tackles with 4 being TFL along with 1 interception last year. At the combine, he ran a 4.57 forty time (7th worst among CB) and had a 6.76 three-cone drill (4th best among CB). He had similar issues guarding the deep ball as Boyd did. Davis does not have as much raw potential as Boyd which is why I have him going in the fifth round.
Lil’Jordan Humphrey- Third Round
Lil’Jordan Humphrey took a massive step between his sophomore and junior seasons. Humphrey was a nightmare for DBs with an 86|1176|9 rec/yds/TD split, while also adding a rushing and passing touchdown. Humphrey left early based on the results the NFL Draft advisory board gave him. He was invited to the NFL combine but his draft stock slid with a 4.75 forty time (Last among WR). Humphrey hoped to improve during the pro day and while his time was a little better, it was unofficial. You might be surprised that I have Humphrey so high on my prediction, but it's because during games he does stuff that the forty time doesn't measure. He almost never got tackled by the first defender, broke off huge runs, and made impressive catches over the heads of defenders. Plus, at 6’4 he is a big target for QBs. If this year’s class was not stacked with big WRs he could be a projected 1st rounder based off of stats, but I feel like a team will take a chance on him in round three.
Gary Johnson- Fourth Round
Gary Johnson played extremely well last year. He led the Longhorns with 90 tackles and added 6.5 sacks and a forced fumble. He saved a lot of touchdowns with his speed. At the combine, Johnson had the 2nd fastest forty time among linebackers. At pro day, Johnson focused more on positional drills to show scouts that he has hands and play coverage. His stats and talent should give him a second-round grade, but he is being held back because of his size. At only 6’0 220 lbs, he is one of the smaller linebackers in the draft. I see teams drafting him as a backup linebacker or as a special teams ace. Johnson told media at pro day that he has had meetings with the Steelers and Raiders.
Charles Omenihu- Second Round
The reigning Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the year, Charles Omenihu racked up 45 tackles, 18 TFL and 9.5 sacks last season. Omenihu was the only Longhorn invited to the Reese's Senior Bowl and impressed the scouts and coaches there. He ran a 4.92 forty at the combine which was 7th among DL. Omenihu’s size and talent was a nightmare in the backfield and has impressed a lot of scouts. He has the potential to go in the second round.