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NFL-bound Texas Longhorns identify who's next up for the 2025 team

Joe Cookby:Joe Cook•03/26/25•

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Jelani McDonald
Jelani McDonald (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

The 2025 Texas Longhorns pro timing day was an eventful one for the 20-plus UT stars who tested and performed in front of NFL decision makers. It was also one for recollection and reminiscing, as many players expressed their gratitude for their time in Austin playing for the Longhorns.

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But football, especially Texas football, goes on without them. With that in mind, who did some of the future professional stars out of Texas identify as players to watch in 2025?

Isaiah Bond

“They’re going to have great guys always,” Bond said. “Coach Sark, like I said, they do a great job of recruiting. There’s dogs behind us. Ryan Wingo, DeAndre Moore, there’s a bunch of guys coming through to fill in our (shoes) for sure that’ll have big years.”

And among younger players?

“I’d probably say Aaron Butler, because some of the new guys, I wasn’t there when they got there,” bond said. “Aaron Butler, he’s going to be nice too, for sure.”

Jaydon Blue

“All those guys can play in that room,” Blue said. “The past three, four years at Texas, that room has been something special. I think a lot of those guys can play. Of course, y’all seen what Tre (Wisner) did last year and Tre’s going to ball again this year. I think (Cedric Baxter) is going to come back super strong and showcase what he can do. I think (Jerrick Gibson) and Christian (Clark) will be pretty good this year, too. I think all four of those guys can have a great year.

On Wisner: “He’s tough. He doesn’t care about anything. He could have a bad injury and he’s going to find a way to get on the field.”

Gunnar Helm

“It’s a young room, but obviously very explosive,” Helm said. “Got some experience in there coming back. Jordan Washington is going to be really good. Spencer Shannon is going to be really good from what I’ve heard. Developed like heck.”

Silas Bolden

“Wingo, (DeAndre Moore), (Aaron Butler), Parker (Livingstone), the young freshmen coming in plus the guys that were already here,” Bolden said. “I feel like they’re all going to excel this year, especially with Arch (Manning) at quarterback. I feel like they’re going to do some great things this year.”

Jake Majors

“I’d say everybody,” Majors said. “(Kyle) Flood does a good job of having depth on this team and he’s one of the best coaches out there. Of course, guys who have already played like (Trevor) Goosby, DJ (Campbell), Cole (Hutson). I’m looking to see (Andre) Cojoe have a good time. Connor Robertson can sneak in there. Neto (Umeozulu), we’ve been waiting on Neto and I think he’s going to have a great year coming up.”

Vernon Broughton

“I know Cole (Brevard) and (Alex) January are coming up,” Broughton said. “I don’t know the rest of the guys, but I know those two for sure.”

Broughton practiced with Brevard ahead of bowl games, so he saw some of what the Purdue transfer brings.

“He’s strong,” Broughton said. “He’s really strong. He’s got athleticism. He’ll be top-three (strongest), especially after what I’ve seen in practice.”

Barryn Sorrell

“That’s the good thing about this team and what this program is,” Sorrell said. “I could go on and on about guys not just in that room, but across the board. I’m excited to just watch those guys. Ethan Burke is going to be a guy that I’m really excited to watch step up. He’s been a guy patiently waiting his turn and working. I’m excited to see what he can do next year.”

Andrew Mukuba

“I’d be on the lookout for the new No. 4, Jelani McDonald,” Mukuba said. “I feel like this year, he’s going to show a lot of people what he’s capable of doing. Dude is a freak, man. Next year, I feel like around this time, he’s going to be one of the top guys at that position. I promise you that.”

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Jahdae Barron

“Most definitely Jelani,” Barron said. “Jelani, he’s everything. He’s what you need. He can play slot. He can play Dime. He can literally play it all. Safety. He’s very versatile as well.”

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