After months of anticipation, the NFL 2025 season is set to begin in ten days. For many former Longhorns, it will mark a special career milestone as they make their pro debuts. Currently, 13 new players with Texas ties have a good shot at being on teams’ Week 1 rosters.
Currently, that list of rookies includes Matthew Golden, Kelvin Banks Jr., Jahade Barron, Alfred Collins, Andrew Mukuba, Vernon Broughton, Gunnar Helm, Barryn Sorrell, Jaydone Blue, Hayden Conner, Quinn Ewers, Jake Majors, and Isaiah Bond, according to Orangebloods’ Cody Carpenter.
For many in Austin, Carpenter’s predictions come as no surprise. Matthew Golden, Kelvin Banks Jr., Jahdae Barron, Andrew Mukuba, Gunnar Helm, and Jaydon Blue were selected in the first five rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. They are all expected to play key roles after stellar careers at the Forty Acres that nearly ended with a national title.
On Carpenter’s list, every player has a better than 70 % chance of being on an NFL roster. They won’t all be starters right away, but they will have a shot to contribute and develop their games. Quinn Ewers is one player who will have to fight for playing time as he is expected to be No.3 on the Dolphins QB depth chart. As he continues to improve his game, Ewers will have Tua Tagovailoa and Zach Wilson to lean on for advice.
With football season nearly here, there will be plenty for Longhorns fans to look forward to over the next few weeks. If their former stars can meet expectations, then a few NFL franchises will be set at vital positions for years to come. The fun kicks off next Thursday night when the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Dallas Cowboys. That is one game many Longhorns supporters have circled as Andrew Mukuba will make his NFL regular-season debut.
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: 13 former Longhorns expected to make NFL Week 1 rosters as rookies
Reporting by Jamie Gatlin, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
