Byron Murphy, T'Vondre Sweat, Ryan Watts talk combine goals, 2024 Longhorns
On Tuesday, Inside Texas was able to make the short drive to Exos Sports Performance Training in Frisco to watch 2023 Longhorns Byron Murphy II, T’Vondre Sweat, and Ryan Watts prepare for the NFL Draft.
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Each of the three will attend the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis next week with Murphy and Sweat hoping to cement first-round grades.
Here’s the latest on three key members from this past season’s playoff squad as they prepare for the next chapter in their life.
DT Byron Murphy II, Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year
At just 20-years-old, Murphy is one of the youngest players in the upcoming NFL Draft. His age, however, belies a maturity he had even before he arrived at Texas. Initial reports at the time he enrolled covered how mentally and physically mature he was for a freshman. There were times IT heard he was unblockable, even for Texas’ starting offensive linemen. Despite those glowing reports, Murphy had to bide his time behind NFL Draft selections Keondre Coburn and Moro Ojomo. This season, along with T’Vondre Sweat, Murphy exploded on the scene and is now viewed as a likely first-round pick.
Murphy says he’ll participate in every drill at the combine, though he doesn’t have any specific goals in mind when it comes to testing his strength, agility, and explosiveness. He states he’s loving this process because it allows time to focus on himself and getting better at his craft.
Despite the major losses of Murphy and Sweat, Byron believes the future of the position is in good hands. He stated veterans Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton will be good but he absolutely loves junior Jaray Bledsoe. Murphy said Bledsoe was the best pass rusher on the team, even better than himself. Murphy continued by saying Bledsoe is super athletic, physical, and can do things that most people his size cannot do.
DT T’Vondre Sweat, Outland Trophy award winner
Murphy wasn’t the only breakout star for the Texas interior defensive line as T’Vondre Sweat lived up to his massive talent. Massive is a common word for Sweat, especially after he decided against weighing in at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
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Listed at 364 pounds his senior year, Sweat was noticeably leaner today as he navigated a number of drills. Like Murphy, he says he’ll participate in all the drills at the NFL combine. Though he didn’t want to share his current weight he did say he’s in great shape and he’s aiming to prove he’s the man at the combine.
CB Ryan Watts, two-year starter
The veteran cornerback will also participate in each drill. Eyes will certainly be on him as he runs the shuttle and 40-yard dash. Given his “plus” size for cornerback at around 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, a good 40-yard time would significantly aid his draft stock.
Watts’ goal is to run in the mid-4.4’s but he’ll take anything under 4.5. He has been running those times in training.
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Like Murphy, Watts had thoughts on his position group next year. Watts said Terrance Brooks and Malik Muhammad are NFL caliber players but to keep an eye out for second-year cornerback Warren Roberson. Roberson is a dog and might be the best overall corner when it’s all said and done of the players currently on campus.
