Skip to main content
texas logo

Leading draft expert provides grades for top Texas Longhorns defensive NFL draft prospects

Joe Cookby:Joe Cook•04/10/25•

josephcook89

Jahdae Barron
Jahdae Barron (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Dane Brugler of The Athletic annually posts “The Beast,” commonly believed to be the gold standard of draft guides. With detailed insight from scouts, coaches, and more on hundreds of draft prospects, no publication does more to research the players available to the 32 NFL franchises in the NFL draft.

[Join Inside Texas TODAY and get FOUR MONTHS for just ONE DOLLAR!]

Texas has a considerable number of players up for selection this year. Where does Brugler rank and grade them, plus what were some other interesting tidbits from his work? Here are the defensive prospects.

Barryn Sorrell, EDGE

It’s a good draft for EDGE as the top 12 at the position all have at least a second round grade. Sorrell is the No. 18 EDGE and just outside of Brugler’s top 100. Sorrell is praised for his makeup, motor, and character. Sorrell also posted the fastest mph at the hoop drill at the combine (15.13 mph).

Grade: 3rd-4th round (EDGE18)

Alfred Collins, DT

Collins is the No. 68 overall prospect, according to Brugler. His coordination was praised but there’s still work to go for the Bastrop native. Collins is projected as someone who can earn more and more playing time as he understands his capabilities further.

Grade: 2nd-3rd round (DT8)

Vernon Broughton, DT

Broughton earned an early day three grade. Broughton’s hands and arm length were cited as strengths, and so too was his violence in tackling. However, one ding was that he missed a decent amount of tackles.

Grade: 4th round (DT20)

Jahdae Barron, CB

Travis Hunter is counted as CB1, so that bumped Barron down to CB3 behind Will Johnson. Barron’s versatility, confidence, and zone coverage mastery are some of the highlights provided by Brugler for his No. 30 overall prospect. The only major knock is his size.

Grade: 1st-2nd round (CB3)

Andrew Mukuba, S

Just outside of the top 100, Mukuba is described as a player with “the mentality and talent to compete for a starting role at free safety.” In Brugler’s notes, Mukuba is said to have left Clemson because he “wasn’t being pushed enough.”

Grade: 3rd-4th round (S7)

Free agents: Bill Norton (DT82), David Gbenda (LB45), Morice Blackwell (LB57), Gavin Holmes (CB74)

You may also like