Five Texas players who could force themselves onto NFL radars this season

We’ve seen it in the last two seasons where players seemingly came out of nowhere to have big seasons and ultimately get drafted.

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Player development — long the biggest question at Texas — is now unquestionably a program strength.

After Christian Jones and T’Vondre Sweat maximized into NFL Draft picks, and an Outland Trophy winner, the question becomes, who’s next?

That’s hard to know, especially without the benefit of fall camp, but we’ll take a stab it anyway.

This article is not about Alfred Collins, Jahdae Barron, or any other obvious NFL prospects.

DJ Campbell, JR, OG

Campbell has all the hallmarks of a breakout candidate: entering his third year, experienced player after starting 14 games, incredible physical and athletic gifts, motivation to head to the NFL, and more consistent overall play.

He’s also in an offense that will highlight both his power and athleticism.

If Campbell processes a little faster and cuts down on the mental errors this is likely his last year.

(I could conceivably see Cameron Williams balling out and leaving but I need to see more of him)

Matthew Golden, JR, WR

The Houston transfer is flying a bit under the radar, in part due to an intentionally quiet spring, and also in part due to the focus on fellow transfer Isaiah Bond and true freshman Ryan Wingo.

We have sources who think Golden has as much upside as Bond and Bond is already on NFL Draft radars.

Reports from summer on 7 on 7 are favorable with Golden being fully healthy. We’re also hearing he could play in the slot some this year which would add an even more vertical element to Sark’s offense.

If Houston had more consistent quarterback play in 2024 everyone would be much more excited about Golden. On top of it all, he’s a very dangerous kick returner.

This might be his only year in Austin.

Gavin Holmes, SR, CB

The senior had a better spring than we originally realized and he continues to perform well in team 7 on 7 going up against very good receivers. Covering receivers has never been his issue, however. In fact, he might have fared better than anyone covering Xavier Worthy 1 v 1 in practice.

Where Holmes has improved is in his processing and he was more physical the last time they had the pads on. Ultimately, that physicality may decide his football future. Players in the NFL, even those who are 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, are built different.

Holmes’ cover traits are going to earn him some attention this year. We’ll see if anything else does.

David Gbenda, SR, LB

Players breakout at different times for different reasons. Christian Jones, mentioned above, was always on a very long physical and technical curve. T’Vondre Sweat, also mentioned above, was a question of motivation and playing with consistency.

With a guy like Gbenda, it simply comes down to processing as fast as he can run. When he sees the play he explodes to the ball carrier. When he doesn’t see it, he becomes a bystander. That’s an even bigger concern in the SEC where offensive lineman are bigger and get on there blocks quicker than in the Big 12.

Gbenda has finally reached enough physical maturity at over 230 pounds. If his processor is firing on all cylinders he has the chance to breakout because his speed is above average.

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Vernon Broughton, SR, DT

Given his size and first step, Broughton is already known to regional NFL scouts. With Broughton it’s simply a question of putting it all together just as he’s about to get more opportunity than ever before.

While he has size at 6-foot-4, 305 pounds (I think that’s actually lighter than last year), he hasn’t always played with strength at the point of attack. He’s certainly more of a disruptor than run stuffer.

If he plays with better leverage and lower body strength he’s going to get drafted in the middle rounds at the latest because one thing he can do is get off the ball and into the back field.