Seven former Longhorns participated in the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis this past week: linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., safety Michael Taaffe, cornerbacks Jaylon Guilbeau and Malik Muhammad, offensive lineman DJ Campbell, defensive lineman Trey Moore and tight end Jack Endries.
Having a significant number of participants in the combine has become the new norm for a blue-blood school like Texas. The program comes in third place with 32 players invited over the last three years, trailing behind only Georgia and Michigan with 35, as well as Ohio State with 34. This marks a dramatic increase from the previous three-year stretch, when Texas had just 13 players invited.
Texas’ two rivals outnumbered the Longhorns in the combine this year, with 13 Aggies and 10 Sooners participating. While Texas trails its rivals this year, the Longhorns’ steady presence at the event reflects a program on the rise.
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Head coach Steve Sarkisian talked about the 2026 combine in his Feb. 23 media availability.
“We got seven guys going,” Sarkisian said. “Naturally, I would love for that number to be a few more. I wish a few more guys would have gotten invited. They didn’t. That does not mean they’re not going to get drafted.”
The former Longhorns that did participate produced a wide variety of results.
Hill entered and left the combine as Texas’ top prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft. Even after facing an injury preventing him from participating in certain on-field drills, he received elite composite speed and explosion grades. His final score was ranked second among other linebacker prospects.
Moore also demonstrated a standout defensive performance with a 4.54-second 40-yard dash — fourth among defensive ends — and a 38.5-inch vertical, leaving ranked 22nd in his position.
Muhammad was the fastest Longhorn, running a 4.42-second 40-yard dash. Muhammad ranked 10th amongst other cornerbacks.
Endries also performed well in the combine. His results between athleticism and production established him as the sixth-ranked tight end.
Taaffe and Campbell’s performances were steady. Taaffe was given a prospect grade of 5.88 and Campbell’s was 5.96. Both grades indicated they could perform as an average backup or special-teamer, according to NFL Draft analysts.
Guilbeau attended the combine, but he opted out of all on-field drills and workouts. He is anticipated to showcase his talent at the Texas Pro Day.
There is not yet an announced date for the Texas Pro Day. It took place in late March last year.
“We’ll have a great showing at Pro Day like we always do,” Sarkisian said. “I think we’ve set a pretty good trend of our players getting prepared to play in the NFL and getting drafted into the NFL.”
According to the latest PFF draft mockup, two former Longhorns are predicted to be drafted within the first three rounds. Hill is predicted as the 44th pick and Endries as the 75th.
The NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from Thursday, April 23, to Saturday, April 25.