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Drafting Longhorn Legends: Who Goes No. 1 Overall in an All-Texas NFL Draft?

by:RT Young•about 11 hours
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Earl Campbell (Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

It’s the night of the NFL Draft. You’ve been transported to a bizarro world where you are an NFL GM. But there’s a twist — the only available players to draft are Longhorn legends.

Things are scrambled, so you can select any Longhorn in their post-Texas, pre-NFL form.

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You have the first overall pick for a rebuilding franchise. What does your draft board look like? Who are you picking first?

Here’s who I’d consider:

Honorable Mention:
The big boys – Kelvin Banks, T (2025), Leonard Davis, T (2001), Jerry Sisemore, T (1973).

The runner-up DBs – I have a defensive back on my board, but it was a tough decision. Taking a DB number one overall would be controversial. So if I’m going to do it, it better be someone I believe can lock down an entire side of the field. I was between Quentin Jammer (2002), Michael Huff (2006) and Jahdae Barron (2025), but I went with another Longhorn below.

5) Earl Thomas, S
Not the Earl from Texas, but the other one who is also a force of nature. One of the best defensive backs of the last 25 years, Thomas changes games with his instincts and range. He will terrorize quarterbacks and receivers for more than a decade.

4) Tommy Nobis, LB / Derrick Johnson, LB
Nobis was the Longhorns’ first ever number one overall pick. He starred at linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons and should be in the Hall of Fame. Is picking him number one in 2025 risky? Maybe. But he’s the type of player you build around no matter the era.

Derrick Johnson is the Kansas City Chiefs’ all-time leading tackler. When the Chiefs started to stabilize as a franchise, so did his star power. Once DJ moved into a 3-4, he became a two-time All-Pro and one of the most dynamic linebackers in the league. If I build my defense around him, we’re going to be good for a long time.

3) Brian Orakpo, DE
The number one overall pick is usually a game-changing tackle, quarterback, or pass rusher. Orakpo fits the bill for the latter. Powerful, explosive, and relentless, he sets the edge and terrorizes the backfield.

2) Earl Campbell, RB
It’s controversial to use an early pick on a running back. Texas has claim to some of the most game changing running backs in NFL history, Priest Holmes, Ricky Williams, Jamaal Charles and now Bijan Robinson. But Campbell was the number one overall pick once upon a time and went on to win the NFL MVP award. Will we get laughed at for taking him number one overall? I have a hard time believing Campbell would be laughed at in any era. Also, just think about how Saquon Barkley changed the Eagles last year.

And when multiple archrivals like Barry Switzer say Campbell is the greatest player they’ve ever seen, you don’t overthink it. Take the Tyler Rose and watch him barrel over the rest of the league.

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1) Vince Young, QB
I was tempted to go with Bobby Layne here for the old heads. But, let’s redo VY’s career in a modern offense. This time without Jeff Fisher at the helm.

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