Texas cornerback Manny Muhammad was picked No. 124 overall by the Chicago Bears in the 2026 NFL Draft. He is the second player from Texas coach Steve Sarkisian's program to be selected this year.
Key points
Manny Muhammad was selected No. 124 overall by the Chicago Bears
He is a cornerback from the Texas Longhorns
Muhammad was picked in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft
The Bears traded with the Panthers to acquire the pick
He is the second player from Texas coach Steve Sarkisian's program drafted this year
Mentioned in this story
Texas Longhorns
NFL Draft 2026Manny MuhammadChicago Bears
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas defensive back Malik Muhammad (DB23) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
An early entrant, Texas Longhorns cornerback Manny Muhammad was selected with the No. 124 overall pick in the fourth round by the Chicago Bears on Saturday, becoming the second player from head coach Steve Sarkisian’s program selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Muhammad was selected following a trade with the Carolina Panthers that allowed the Bears to move up five spots in the fourth round and the Panthers to move up 22 spots as the teams swapped fifth-round picks.
Possessing the prototypical measurements that NFL coaches look for in cornerbacks, Muhammad has superb technique in man and zone as a do-it-all cover corner that uses his speed and change of direction to disrupt throws.
Malik Muhammad looked solid at the Senior Bowl and has been flying under the radar, at least considering he’s a star at a premier program.
A consensus four-star prospect out of South Oak Cliff ranked as the No. 46 player overall and the No. 4 cornerback in the 2023 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Muhammad was a big recruiting win for the Texas coaching staff. Advertised as a strong athlete with Day 1 coverage skills, Muhammad lived up to the hype.
Q&A
Who is Manny Muhammad and which team drafted him?
Manny Muhammad is a cornerback from Texas who was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the No. 124 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
What round was Manny Muhammad selected in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Manny Muhammad was selected in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
How did the Chicago Bears acquire the No. 124 pick for Manny Muhammad?
The Chicago Bears acquired the No. 124 pick by trading with the Carolina Panthers, allowing the Bears to move up five spots in the fourth round.
How many players from Texas were drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Manny Muhammad is the second player from Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian's program to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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As a freshman at Texas, Muhammad appeared in all 14 games while recording 31 tackles, four pass breakups, and an interception. He also scored a touchdown on a blocked punt. In coverage, Muhammad graded out at a high level as a true freshman, according to Pro Football Focus, allowing only 10.3 yards per reception on 24 catches.
LOVE How patient Texas CB Malik Muhammad is. I wonder if he’s reading the QBs drop but when it comes to settling his feet and getting/staying square from off… almost like a catch technique… he’s as good as it gets pic.twitter.com/aXJeA6zJSf
With the departure of senior Ryan Watts, Muhammad was expected to fill that starting role for the Texas secondary. While starting every game in 2024, Muhammad demonstrated ball skills, fluid hips, and natural instincts in route to 36 tackles (32 solo), one tackle for loss, and eight passes broken up while limiting opponents to a 50-percent reception rate when he was targeted.
However, late in the season, Muhammad struggled, committing three penalties in the College Football Playoffs and allowing 92 against Clemson, prompting him to make a preseason promise to Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian before the 2025 season opener against Ohio State.
“In the playoffs, I was inconsistent, and it kind of lingered a little bit into those playoff games. So I just wanted to let it be known that, ‘Coach, you can put your trust in me. I’m coming to play,’” said Muhammad.
So, after a strong sophomore campaign with a shaky ending, Muhammad returned as the best cover corner in the Longhorn secondary and a vow to be more consistent. He did not disappoint.
Malik Muhammad (5) at the bottom of the screen and away from the passing strength
Gets his eyes to the route distribution, shows good burst to cover the post, and gets rewarded with an INT on an errant throw
Against Ohio State, Muhammad helped hold Jeremiah Smith, one of the best wide receivers in the country, to six receptions for 43 yards. The tape from Columbus showcases a physical corner holding his own against one of the best in the sport.
Muhammad’s improvement and consistency remained on display throughout the season. Tallying 30 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and two interceptions, Muhammad’s impact cannot be properly conveyed with statistics — opposing quarterbacks intentionally picked on opposing corners in order to steer clear of Muhammad.
For the season, he was targeted just 34 times and allowed only two catches of 11-plus yards during the entire season.
At the NFL Combine, Muhammad measured at 6’0, 182 pounds with 32 3/8-inch arms. His lanky frame is a strength, although he felt like he needed to add strength, gaining eight pounds of muscle before participating in the Texas Pro Day in late March.
With a 4.42 40, 39-inch vertical, and 10’10 broad jump, Muhammad possesses more than enough athleticism to cover in the NFL. His 10-yard split was the best of any cornerback while his broad jump was in the 92nd percentile. Not to mention, his fluidity and change of direction are top tier on tape.
As he looks to the next level, Muhammad has drawn attention for his ability to pattern match and cover from man or zone looks. His ball skills are also particularly strong and have drawn praise from NFL front offices.
Against NFL ball carriers and bigger receivers, Muhammad’s post-combine weight gain should help him.
Now, Muhammad is the next Longhorn defensive back in the NFL thanks to his strong physical attributes, sound technique, and excellent ball skills that should allow him to become an early contributor in the league.
