Five Longhorns projected to be selected in 2026 NFL Draft by ESPN

With the start of the NFL Draft just a few days away, players nationwide are counting down the hours until their dreams come true. The Texas Longhorns are expected to have a few reasons to celebrate, with multiple draft-eligible players. Their success has drawn national attention, as ESPN released a mock draft earlier this week that featured multiple Longhorns players.

In ESPN's mock draft, the five players selected were Anthony Hill Jr., Malik Muhammad, Jack Endries, Michael Taaffe, and Trey Moore. The player selected highest was Hill, who ESPN predicted would be drafted in the second round by the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, each player on that list can help an NFL team.

During the 2025 campaign, Hill was a human highlight reel. The Texas native recorded 69 total tackles and set a career high in interceptions with two. He also added four sacks to his resume and received national recognition. Due to his play, Hill was named a 2025 Second-Team All-American and a finalist for the Butkus Award.

While Hill shined, the Texas secondary, led by Muhammad and Taaffe were one of the best in the nation. In his final season as a Longhorn, Muhammad recorded 30 total tackles and four pass deflections. He also set a new career-high in interceptions with two while becoming a key part of Steve Sarkisian's defense.

For Taaffe, it was a year of excellence in what had been an unforgettable college career. The former walk-on finished his Longhorns career with 221 total tackles and 14 pass deflections. He also recorded seven interceptions and was a model of consistency while making a difference in the community. ESPN predicted that he would be selected by the New England Patriots.

Rounding out the list were Jack Endries and Trey Moore. While Endries only spent one season in Austin, he was one of Arch Manning’s favorite targets. The talented tight end hauled in 33 passes for 346 yards during the 2025 campaign. He also set a new career high in touchdowns with three. Like Endries, Moore was very productive in his last season as a Longhorn. The talented EDGE recorded 34 total tackles and one sack.