NFL scouts already eyeing multiple veteran Texas Longhorns on Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list

NFL scouts have the same expectations of the Texas Longhorns as do the coaches and the fans.

If the Reese’s Senior Bowl watchlist is any indication, the Longhorns are going to be led by talented seniors, setting up another possible strong draft class come spring 2025.

And it appears scouts expect this will be the final season for quarterback Quinn Ewers and left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. in Austin.

Sixteen Horns were named to the preseason watch list is what is considered the “best of the best” by Senior Bowl officials while acknowledging this is merely a starting point.

“Film is the most important criteria in our selection process and every player will be re-evaluated based on their tape this fall,” according to a Senior Bowl news release.

Ewers, Banks lead offensive list

Junior quarterback Quinn Ewers could have turned pro after last season after season. He redshirted at Ohio State in 2021 and played the last two seasons at Texas. But Ewers returned for another year of polish, and he’s now the unquestioned face of the program.

At 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, Banks was a starter upon his arrival at UT and projected to only play three years. His NFL upside is that good. The junior was also listed ninth on the list of the top 100 players in college football for 2024.

“I’m blessed they think of me that way, as a highly-rated player like that,” Banks said of the ESPN recognition. “But honestly, I just look at that and see it and it kind of makes you want to work harder, because nothing is given to you.”

Banks’ fellow lineman Hayden Conner also made the list, as did veteran center Jake Majors. Four of the five Longhorns’ starters return up front. “We’ve got all the requirements to win the Joe Moore Award,” Conner said about the honor the nation’s best offensive line.

Texas’ headline-grabbing receiver transfers Isaiah Bond and Silas Bolden also made the initial watch list. Tight end Gunnar Helm is stepping in for the departed Ja’Tavion Sanders.

Defensive standouts also turning heads

NFL scouts loved UT’s last defensive tackle pairing with T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II. The Horns are plugging in more watch list talents in Barryn Sorrell, Vernon Broughton and Alfred Collins. Transfers Jermayne Lole and Trey Moore are also working his way in with his new team.

Jahdae Barron is expected to be a standout leader in the defensive backfield alongside Austin product and Clemson transfer Andrew Mukuba. Linebacker David Gbenda’s name may not be widely known now, but he’s been as consistent a performer as anyone.

Don’t forget special teams

Kicker Bert Auburn was a first-team All-Big 12 pick last season and set the school record with 19 consecutive made field goals. He was 29-for-35 overall and scored 143 points, the third most in program history and most ever for a Texas kicker.