AUSTIN, Texas – A year after seeing a program high 11 players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Texas Longhorns may be knocking on the door of setting the record again in 2025.
Twenty-one Longhorns participated in the program’s Pro Day on Tuesday in Austin, and a good number of players may be available for the Cowboys in next month’s draft at positions of need.
In franchise’s history, the Cowboys have selected 12 players out of the University of Texas with the most recent selection being DeMarvion Overshown in the third round of the 2023 draft. That pick looks like a big hit, as Overshown is one of the most explosive players on Dallas’ defense when he’s healthy.
If the Cowboys want to turn to a burnt-orange product to become another difference maker for them in the 2025 NFL draft, they’ll have their fair share of options to choose from across all three days of the draft process. Here are six names from Texas’ Pro Day that make sense for Dallas, and where the Cowboys could see them selected:
Matthew Golden, WR
Golden has arguably been the fastest rising prospect throughout the entire NFL draft process, and a strong combine performance likely cemented him into the first round after running a 4.29 40-yard dash, the second best among all participants. At Texas’ Pro Day, Golden once again looked the part, with crisp cuts in his routes and flashes of that 40-time catching passes from Quinn Ewers. The lone blemish on his day was a deep ball that went through his hands, but otherwise Golden hauled in his other eight targets. When the ball hits his hands, it doesn’t move, and Golden drew “Ooo’s” and “Ahh’s” from the crowd after each of his reps. If the Cowboys believe that Golden is the man to compliment CeeDee Lamb, they’ll need to select him in the first round, because his stock is sky-high.
Alfred Collins, DT
Defensive tackle Alfred Collins was seen in a walking boot on his left leg and did not participate in any drills during Texas’ Pro Day. A university spokesperson did not reveal what the injury was, and Collins did not speak to reporters, so we’ll see what comes out of that situation. When healthy, Collins has shown the potential to be a potent run stuffer in the middle of the defensive line with a good amount of twitch and athleticism for his size at 6’6, 332 pounds. The uncertainty of the injury puts Collins’ stock status in the air, but he’s likely a plausible option for the Cowboys on Day 2 to fill their need at defensive tackle.
Jahdae Barron, DB
The Longhorns may have been looking to save the best for last, as Barron and some of the other defensive backs were the last of Texas’ players to work out in front of scouts. Barron was sharp in his turns during the three-cone drill, and flew around the field in coverage drills just like he did on tape when he won the Thorpe Award in 2024. Versatility is the name of Barron’s game, and he told reporters that he belives the fact that he can play corner, nickel, dime and even safety in the defensive backfield makes him the best cornerback prospect in this class. If Dallas shares that same belief and Barron falls to the 12th overall pick, then that’s likely where they’ll need to select him.
Quinn Ewers, QB
In a quarterback class that has a lot of question marks as a whole, Ewers is one of the most challenging prospects to figure out. On one hand, he’s shown flashes of being elite in the short to intermediate game with great accuracy, touch and velocity on his passes. On the other hand, his deep ball is still inconsistent and he at times makes questionable decisions in crucial situations. He completed 50 of his 59 pass attempts with five incompletions and four drops, with his final three deep balls all being ducks. Where Ewers falls in the draft will depend on how teams view his upside, and if the Cowboys are looking to tab Ewers are their young quarterback to bring along behind Dak Prescott, he’ll likely need to be selected on Day 2.
Andrew Mukuba, S
After transferring back to his hometown of Austin from Clemson for his final college football season, Mukuba exploded onto the season in the Longhorns secondary, tying Barron for the lead in interceptions last season with five. He told reporters that he’ll be taking a 30 visit with the Cowboys in the near future, giving the team an opportunity to learn more about the intriguing safety prospect. Mukuba is considered a top 100 player by many, and will likely need to be a Day 2 selection if the Cowboys want to add him to their secondary ranks.
Jaydon Blue, RB
If the Cowboys are looking to add a quick, versatile running back on Day 3 of the draft, Blue might be their guy. Blue told reporters that he ran a 4.28 40-yard dash on his first attempt at Pro Day, and a 4.25 on his second, much better than the 4.38 official time he posted at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. He cited a groin tear as the reason his combine time wasn’t as fast, and looked much quicker this time around in Austin. The biggest hurdle that Blue will have to clear is a mixture of his size (5’9, 196 pounds) and issues protecting the football, as fumbles were a prominent issue during his time at Texas.
