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Former All-American Rod Babers on Texas' level of NFL talent

Joe Cookby:Joe Cook•08/22/23•

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Arch Manning, Quinn Ewers
(Will Gallagher | Inside Texas)

In the latest On Texas Football, Bobby Burton and former Longhorn All-American Rod Babers discuss the level of NFL talent on the current Texas roster.

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Babers, himself a multi-year NFL veteran, says the league is looking for value and the highest upside. Texas is producing NFL talent, but they have not produced the high-end, early-round talent as much of late.

“Right now, the Longhorns have 41 guys on training camp rosters trying to make a team,” Babers said. “More than one-third of those guys are undrafted free agents, and some of them have already made their career in the NFL, and already exceeded the average, which is 3.5 years.”

Two of the top potential draft picks of current Longhorns are Kelvin Banks and Xavier Worthy, who were both named AP preseason All-Americans on Monday. Babers mentions they are indeed top talents, but they’re also at premium positions at left tackle and wide receiver, respectively.

“Kelvin Banks right now, I would have probably the highest pick overall among all the players on the roster because he’s at a premium position, but also as a true freshman you saw him perform at elite levels against draftable prospects.”

Regarding Worthy, “he’s definitely a first-round guy. I don’t know how high, though.”

After that duo, who, if anyone, is a NFL prospect on the Texas roster at a first or second-round level?

Babers mentions quarterback first with Quinn Ewers and his massive upside and potential.

“All the NFL needs to see is progress from him,” Babers said.

Babers also mentioned Arch Manning, and also made sure to note Maalik Murphy could factor into the discussion.

Jaylan Ford and Jahdae Barron are discussed next, and Babers believes Ford is likely to be a middle round pick. For Barron, Babers thinks it depends on his deployment.

“If you can play the nickel, the NFL loves guys who can play the nickel and play the slot,” Babers said. “Right now, he’s a middle round pick, too.”

For AD Mitchell, “I think he is draftable. I might go late rounds, mid-to-late rounds with AD Mitchell because I don’t know how deep wide receiver is.”

For Ja’Tavion Sanders, Babers says the Denton (Texas) Ryan product could be a second-rounder after top-end guys like Brock Bowers are picked. “He’s a five-star player,” Babers said of Sanders.

Regarding Christian Jones, a sixth-year senior, Babers likes the trajectory he has been on in his career. His NFL future? “A guy who can make a roster,” Babers said.

Babers then goes into Jordan Whittington’s NFL future, which he sees as starting out as an undrafted free agent. However, “we all know J-Whitt is a ballplayer,” Babers said.

The interior defensive line trio of Byron Murphy, T’Vondre Sweat, and Alfred Collins all three are considered draftable by Babers.

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Babers discusses a handful of other prospects who are likely fighting for roster spots in their career.

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