Steve Sarkisian sends touching message after program record 11 players selected in 2024 NFL Draft

In what set up to be a good weekend for Texas at the 2024 NFL Draft, it wound up being a historic one. Eleven players heard their name called from Detroit, being a new program record. Not even the days of Mack Brown, when the Longhorns were consistently winning, did they have this much success at the draft.

It’s thanks to the work head coach Steve Sarkisian has done since taking over in Austin. He has recruited at a high level and then developed the talent, something the last two Texas head coaches cannot say.

Sarkisian sent out a touching message following the program’s achievement, saying how proud he is of the 11 players who were drafted. Now, it’s time for them to represent Texas and go from making plays on Saturdays to performing on Sundays.

“My heart is full of joy for all of these guys and their families! They all dreamt of playing in the NFL and those dreams became a reality this week! To all 11 of you, I’m so proud of you, the commitment & hard work never wavered! Remember, The Standard is The Standard, go represent!! #AGNB #wenotme #toughallday,” Sarkisian said via X.

Defensive tackle Byron Murphy was the first Texas player to be selected, going in the first round to the Seattle Seahawks. Murphy was a late flip for the Longhorns after previously being committed to the Baylor Bears. He was a three-star prospect coming out of DeSoto High School in the Dallas area and despite being undersized for a DT, was one of the best players in college football last season alongside now-Tennessee Titan T’Vondre Sweat.

Jordan Whittington was the final Horn to get picked, going in the sixth round to the Los Angeles Rams. An athlete out of a 4A high school, Cuero, Whittington was a borderline five-star prospect per the On3 Industry Rankings and was an ATH coming out.

Texas turned him into a wide receiver and while the production was never eye-popping throughout his college career, Sarkisian continually expressed how important Whittington was due to his motor and willingness to do the dirty work.

For years, there was no development coming from Texas as high-profile recruits never cemented into NFL players. The narrative has now changed and Sarkisian has the Longhorns operating at an incredibly high level at the moment. It’s showing on the field and NFL front offices are seemingly buying in.