Three Pack of Longhorns- 2025 NFL Draft Prospects

The 2024 college football season is coming to an end, so you know what that means? The 2025 NFL draft is coming soon, as well. Draft Nation is here to guide you through the prospects and how they can help NFL teams.

Here is a three pack of Texas players who are looking to get selected in the 2025 NFL draft.

Safety Jahdae Barron, Texas

5-foot-11 198 lbs

2024 stats: 16 games 67 tackles 3 TFL 5 interceptions 1 sack

What to like about Jahdae Barron

In college, Barron has played safety, nickel, and linebacker and understands each position's assignments. He is very instinctual and reads routes well. He does an effective job at being able to jump routes and break up passes. Barron is old-school when it comes to his hustle and he plays every snap with a high motor, never giving up on the play. He plays a physical style and has excellent straight line speed when he attacks the ball carrier. Barron's mix of hustle and not stop motor allows him to be able to make plays all over the field. 

Reason for concern

Although Barron is a hustler he needs to improve his tackling mechanics and do a better job of wrapping up runners. Too many times he looks to lower his shoulder and knock the runner out. His aggressive approach can be used against him at times. A quarterback with a good pump fake can get Barron to commit and leave his zone coverage. Barron is quick but not fast, and he lacks the recovery speed if he is fooled by a fake or a misdirection.

NFL Player Comparison

Amani Hooker

Amani Hooker is a perfect pro comparison for Jahdae Barron. Hooker also played the "STAR" position while at Iowa and shares the same traits as Barron when it comes to a non-stop motor who isn't the fastest guy on the field. Hooker has had a solid six-year career since being chosen in the fourth round of the 2019 draft by the Tennessee Titans.

Draft Projection

Third Round pick

Wide Receiver Isaiah Bond, Texas

5-foot-11 180 lbs

2024 stats: 14 starts  34 receptions 540 yards 5 touchdowns

What to like about Isaiah Bond

Isaiah Bond has elite speed and will be able to take the top of off most defenses. He uses his tracking skills to explode off the ball and reaches top speed earlier than most prospects. Bond is very fluid in his movements and is a nightmare to have to cover and mirror. Not only is Bond a speedster he does a great job of contorting his body to make catches, which helps to expand his catch radius. 

Bond is able to line up outside or inside and is physical enough to make plays over the middle. His versatility should help offensive coordinators to take advantage of mismatches. He understands zone coverages and does a solid job of being able to shut it down and find the soft spots in the defense. 

Reason for concern

Bond is on the smaller side and can be slowed down by press coverage and by the more physical cornerbacks. Getting stronger and adding some weight are two necessities for him before he gets to the NFL. He does not run the best routes and gets away with just using his speed to gain separation at this level, butthis will not be so easy against bigger and faster NFL corners. 

He struggles hauling in contested catches and has been prone to focus drops. Getting stronger and adding weight should help him with the contested passes. 

Bond is a willing run blocker but is not very successful at getting himself set up to make a good solid block. He uses poor angles to set up a block and maintain it. 

NFL Draft Comparison

DeVonta Smith

When watching Bond play it is hard not to see DeVonta Smith in his style of running. Although Bond will have to improve his overall route running to have the same dominance that Smith has found in his first couple of seasons in the NFL. Bond may have faster straight line speed but his ceiling isn't quite as high as Smith's.

Draft Projection

Second Round pick

Offensive Tackle Cameron Williams, Texas

6-foot-5  335 lbs

2024 stats: 15 starts

What to like about Cameron Williams

Cameron Williams has the body and length that NFL teams want from their tackles. He uses his length in conjunction with his strong hands to lock on a target and not lose control. Once he gets moving he is fluid in his motion and does an excellent job of attacking the second level and taking out linebackers or defensive backs. Williams uses his strong lower half to hit and drive defensive lineman back in the run game and although his time has been limited at the college level, he has shown the ability to understand his surroundings and his assignments.

Reason for concern

Williams is slow off the snap and it takes him longer than scouts would like to see to get to full speed. This is the main reason that Williams projects as a starting right tackle in the NFL. He has a habit of starting with a wider base (another reason for lack of explosion) and this leads to balance problems and lack of power. 

When moving and pulling he can have problems with his legs keeping up with his upper body, leading to over-reaching. His experience at the collegiate level will be looked at closely, and the 2024 season will be magnified as he steps into the starter's role.

NFL Player Comparison

Jawaan Taylor

Conner Williams reminds Draft Nation of Jawaan Taylor, who was a second round pick out of Florida by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019. Taylor was destined to be a right tackle in the NFL with his lack of explosiveness and struggled early on his NFL career, but has continued to improve, to become a solid starting right tackle.

Williams projects in a similar manner, and a patient team might find a long term solution to anchor the right side of their line by selecting and developing him. 

Draft Projection

Second Round pick