Can Texas top four defensive draft picks in the 2025 NFL Draft?

The success of Texas’ 2024 draft class has been discussed quite a bit, but after that long walk in the desert I can’t get enough of it. In total, 11 players were drafted with a split of seven on offense and four on defense.

That split is somewhat interesting, though not surprising. Steve Sarkisian is an offensive-minded head coach with an exceptional pedigree for developing skill talent. He’s also recruited very well on that side of the ball to include the portal.

Texas “only” having four defensive selections isn’t the worst thing because it means there’s still plenty of experience with NFL talent on the roster. It’ll be very tough to replace Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat in particular but the staff is still exploring options to do so with potential NFL Draft pick Damonic Williams still in the crosshairs.

Can Texas top four draft picks in 2025? Let’s take a look.

Edge

Barryn Sorrell will be drafted, likely in the mid-to-later rounds. He’s a good run-stopper with a non-stop motor that helps him get in the backfield. Sorrell isn’t a very twitchy or particularly bendy pass-rusher, however. He’s a good player, though, with great football character and good size.

Ethan Burke‘s name comes up pretty frequently, even as a potential three-and-out player. If he sees an up-tick in his quarterback pressure and sack numbers he could be gone after next season. With his talent and Pete Kwiatkowski‘s ability to develop players it wouldn’t surprise me. Whenever he departs he’ll get drafted but it is too early to say he’ll be gone after this year.

UTSA transfer Trey Moore is an interesting prospect. He doesn’t have ideal length for Edge but he does move very well. NFL GM’s may view him as an off-ball prospect and based on what we’ve heard he can play that. If Moore keeps getting to the quarterback like he has in the past the NFL will draft him and figure it out later.

For More Draft Coverage Catch Dane Brugler on Inside Texas Football!

Defensive Tackle

Alfred Collins is a first-round talent with his combination of size and movement skills. Like Sweat before him, his game has yet to truly round into form through four years of college. Collins returned in large part due to Sweat’s success in his final year. That’s a good indicator for his motivation. I bet he’s drafted in the third round at the latest.

Vernon Broughton (I assume if he got married during the Spring game he took his wife’s last name, I just don’t know what it is) has a chance to be drafted. I could see him as a defensive end in a three-man front with his size and ball get-off. He moves well and was a quality disruptor this past season. The NFL will have questions about his pad level and ability to anchor, which are directly linked to one another. I think VB will get drafted due to his size and athleticism. He’ll likely be a bit of a project, though.

Bill Norton is big and moves pretty well. He’ll do the dirty work. At minimum he’ll be in an NFL camp due to scarcity.

Linebacker

David Gbenda and Morice Blackwell are in a similar boat in that their chances in the NFL will largely hinge on becoming a significant special teams contributor. Both have the mindset, toughness, and speed to pull it off. I think Gbenda has an outside chance to get drafted late. He should do well in a combine setting.

Anthony Hill will have to wait another year but he’s going in the late-first or second-round when it’s time.

Secondary

There’s a ton of variance with where Jahdae Barron will be drafted. If he demonstrates corner ability in his snaps out wide then he’ll be drafted earlier than where he’s currently forecasted as a mid-rounder. I think he has that ability and I think he’ll get the opportunity to play corner.

There’s a lot of variance in where Andrew Mukuba can go as well. The NFL will like his versatility and smarts but he’s not that big for safety. Can he play nickel in the NFL? There’s plenty of tape on him playing that position at Clemson but his most natural position is field safety. I could see him getting drafted but it’s not that cut and dried.

Gavin Holmes has the natural cover traits to catch the attention of NFL scouts. He’s able to stick with some of the most explosive receivers out there. He’s very light on his feet. If recent reports of him being more physical and generally more comfortable in the defense are accurate, Holmes has the chance to breakout. Scouts will want to see some ball production out of him because he’ll be tested this year. He has a good chance to become an UDFA and perhaps more.

Like Hill, Malik Muhammad will need to wait another year.

*****

As you can see, the NFL cupboard isn’t bare, however the defense lacks obvious first- and second-round draft picks, though Collins does have the chance to make a major leap. Ethan Burke is also one to watch if he piles up 9-10 sacks in his third year.

I think when it’s said and done Texas will have at least four players drafted on defense yet again.

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