A thing about a guy like me, I will rank anything. Any sport, any topic, any debate, I want to be a part of it.
With that said, I wanted to start the conversation on Draft Day of my five favorites at each position this cycle:
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Quarterback
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders
Miami QB Cam Ward
Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart
Ohio State QB Will Howard
Texas QB Quinn Ewers
I give Sanders the nod for his ability to play constantly under pressure. Yes, some self sacks were evident in 2024, but rarely does a top of the draft quarterback go to a place where protection is plentiful and I will roll the dice with the quarterback who put up numbers with guys like me protecting him all season long.
As for Ewers, too many questions about the long ball, his mobility in the pocket and overall ceiling for me.
Running Back
Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty
Ohio State RB TreyVeon Henderson
North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton
Ohio State RB Quinshon Judkins
Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson
If Jeanty does not have a very solid NFL career, there should never be a reason to draft a RB in the first round ever again. Fortunately for Texas, Jaydon Blue will be the fifth running back draft in three years. What a run.
Wide Receiver
Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan
Missouri WR Luther Burden
Texas WR Matthew Golden
Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka
Iowa State WR Jaylin Noel
Tet McMillan screams Mike Evans to me. Big body with 4.5 speed and great hands. I love a height mismatch that can move. As for Luther Burden over Matthew Golden, 1800 yards in the last two seasons of SEC play gets the nod. Burden recorded 4.41 speed as well and I would argue he is just a bit better after the catch that Matthew Golden.
Tight End
Penn State TE Tyler Warren
Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr.
Michigan TE Colston Loveland
Miami (FL) TE Elijah Arroyo
Texas TE Gunnar Helm
For folks who have not seen Tyler Warren play football, you are in for a treat in the NFL. Helm gets the nod over LSU's Mason Taylor for me. The athleticism after the catch and sure-handedness all season long proved to be a huge weapon in the Longhorn offense. The most prolific single season for a Texas tight end in program history finds himself a new home in the late 3rd/early 4th.
Offensive Tackle
Texas OT Kelvin Banks
LSU OT Will Campbell
Missouri OT Armand Membou
Oregon OT Josh Conerly Jr.
Ohio State OT Josh Simmons
For three years we watched Banks dominate at left tackle. Against first rounder after first rounder. He is the best tackle in this draft an time will prove that to be correct.
Interior Offensive Lineman
NDSU OL Grey Zabel
Alabama OL Tyler Booker
Ohio State OL Donovan Jackson
Georgia OL Tyler Wilson
Arizona OL Jonah Savaiinaea
Zabel absolutely dominated the Senior Bowl and was my favorite prospect in attendance after the three days in Mobile.
Defensive Line
Michigan DL Mason Graham
Oregon DL Derrick Harmon
Ole Miss DL Walter Nolen
Michigan DL Kenneth Grant
Ohio State DL Tyliek Williams
The Texas offensive line took both Michigan defensive linemen to the woodshed week one in Ann Arbor. Perhaps the best showing of the season from the Texas OL unit. Alfred Collins could end up going as DL5–DL8 on Friday night.
EDGE Room
Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter
Marshall EDGE Mike Green
Georgia EDGE Mykael Williams
Ohio State EDGE JT Tuimoloau
Tennessee EDGE James Pearce
I don't love this edge class outside of the top three. Miss me with both Texas A&M edges, especially Shemar Stewart who folks are fawning over despite having zero production at any point in his entire collegiate career. I am not very high on James Pearce either, I believe his body limits his overall ceiling. But Abdul Carter would be my pick if I possessed 1.1.
Linebacker
Georgia LB Jalon Walker
Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell
Oklahoma LB Danny Stutsman
UCLA LB Carson Schwesinger
Ole Miss LB Chris Paul Jr.
Jalon Walker was maybe pound for pound the best defensive player Texas faced this entire season and fortunately, the Horns won't have to see him in Athens next fall. I know many will see Stutsman and laugh, but he is a darn good football player and checks every box of the measurables and interview process.
Cornerback
Texas CB Jahdae Barron
Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morrison
Michigan CB Will Johnson
East Carolina CB Shavon Revel
Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston Jr.
Barron won the Thorpe for a reason. Now, he has 4.39 speed to fall back on and the production at multiple positions to boast versatility at several positions in any NFL secondary. I think folks sleep on Benjamin Morrison a bit out of Notre Dame. A true man-to-man cornerback will be a nice get for years at the next level.
Safety
Georgia S Malaki Starks
Texas S Andrew Mukuba
Notre Dame S Xavier Watts
Penn State S Kevin Winston Jr.
South Carolina S Nick Emmanwori
If Andrew Mukuba had about ten more inches on his frame, he would be the undisputed top safety in this class. Instead, the frame works against him and he is seen as an undersized option for the NFL. Nick Emmanwori tests like he was made in a lab, but the football side of things needs to improve.