Double-digit NFL Draft picks certainly seem possible for the Longhorns this spring if Mel Kiper’s projections are accurate.
Kiper has 11 Texas players listed among the top 10 at their respective positions in his updated rankings released late Tuesday by ESPN.
Kiper actually moved Ewers down two spots to No. 7 among all quarterbacks from his rankings in December. But he still has left tackle Kelvin Banks as the No. 1-rated offensive tackle and projects him as the 10th-overall draft pick in the first round.
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“Banks has 42 career starts under his belt, with every single snap coming at left tackle,” Kiper wrote for ESPN. “And amazingly, he gave up only three sacks. He has the mobility to quickly block off the edge and then the frame and strength to take care of power rushers. He just needs to become more consistent in the run game as a blocker.
“Banks missed the SEC Championship with an ankle injury but returned for Texas' CFP games.”
Here’s a look at where Kiper has each Texas player ranked among the top 10 at their position.
Ewers got knocked down in part by Ohio State’s Will Howard leading the Buckeyes to the national championship. Howard wasn’t ranked in the top 10 at all in Kiper’s December rankings.
Bond didn’t have the November or postseason numbers that he would have liked due to an ankle injury and defensive coverage. Golden was sensational. NFL scouts will look hard at his big plays late in the Peach Bowl.
At 6-foot-5, Helm has the frame that NFL scouts will love. He’s got huge hands and can run down the seam and make touchdown plays. Helm had to stay in and block against Georgia in the SEC championship game, so his run blocking will get a long look.
Williams clearly made the right move by jumping ship early and going pro. His body alone makes him an NFL candidate. What team doen’t want a 6-foot-5 tackle? Penalty problems wil have to be addressed.
The longest tenured Longhorn can showcase his mental skills for NFL scouts. Centers are required to quickly read the defensive front and make protection calls. Majors did that well and had strong second-level blocking abilities.
Sorrell has longevity and durability on his side and someone who grew into the role over time. He’ll have to make an impact in pre-draft meetings and then tear it up in the NFL Scouting Combine.
Collins was a late bloomer at Texas, but his final season was sensational. The game-turning extension and forced fumble against Arkansas was probably his best individual play of the year. He also gummed up the works on the goal line.
The Jim Thorpe Award winner will be personally motivated to be taken higher, so expect him to have tremendous pre-draft work. Barron thrives on people underestimating him. Kiper’s ranking is like throwing gasoline on a fire.
Mukuba made the most of his transfer to Texas from Clemson. His hard-hitting style will be welcome by NFL scouts. And it’s not only that he hits hard, he wasn’t called for targeting late in games, either. That’s someone who was taught how to tackle properly.
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