Jonathon Brooks. Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

Two Texas Longhorns players declare for NFL Draft

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 1/4/24

Two Texas Longhorns players have declared for the NFL Draft just days after the team’s Sugar Bowl loss to Washington.

Defensive tackle Byron Murphy II shared a post on social media to announce that he was leaving for the draft.

Thank you Texas, Hook’em pic.twitter.com/h9BJVafpMH

— MURPH DAWG (@ByronMurphyII) January 4, 2024

Murphy is a junior from Desoto, Texas. He had five sacks and 29 total tackles this season, including three tackles against Washington.

In addition to Murphy, running back Jonathon Brooks is expected to enter the draft.

#Texas RB Jonathon Brooks is expected to enter the 2024 NFL Draft, @HankSouth247 first to report.

I was told prior to his injury multiple NFL Draft scouts had Brooks as RB1 on their Big Boards.

— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_TFB) January 4, 2024

Brooks had 1,139 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns this season. He also had 25 catches for 286 yards and a touchdown in 10 games before suffering a season-ending torn ACL injury.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel says Brooks is expected to be ready by training camp.

Texas star tailback Jonathon Brooks tells ESPN he’s leaving school early to declare for the NFL Draft. Brooks is Mel Kiper Jr.’s top-ranked available tailback in the upcoming draft. He had a clean ACL tear on Nov. 11 and is expected to be ready by training camp. pic.twitter.com/et07JVMkZe

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 4, 2024

Many draft scouts reportedly had Brooks rated as the top running back prospect prior to his injury.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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