Texas Defense Headline Senior Bowl, Hill & Muhammad Declare for Draft

The road to the 2026 NFL Draft officially begins in Mobile, Alabama, and the Texas Longhorns will be well-represented.

Senior defensive backs Jahdae Barron and Michael Taaffe have accepted invitations to the Senior Bowl, giving NFL scouts a final look at the leaders of a secondary that was pivotal in the Longhorns' SEC campaign. Both seniors opted to return for the 2025 season to boost their draft stock, a gamble that appears to have paid off with marquee invites.

Hill and Muhammad Declare

In expected but significant news, junior linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and sophomore cornerback Malik Muhammad have officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Hill, a Butkus Award finalist, leaves Austin as one of the most productive linebackers in program history. His ability to rush the passer and cover sideline-to-sideline makes him a projected first-round pick.

"It's been a dream come true to wear the Burnt Orange," Hill said in his announcement. "Thank you to Coach Sarkisian and the entire staff for preparing me for the next level."

Muhammad, who became eligible as a redshirt sophomore (or true junior depending on classification, verified as Draft Eligible), solidified his status as a shutdown corner this season. His departure, combined with Barron's graduation, signals a changing of the guard for the Texas secondary.

Other Draft Decisions

Tight end Jack Endries has also declared for the draft, capitalizing on a weak tight end class. Meanwhile, offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. remains the headliner of the class, projected as a top-10 pick, though he has not yet formally announced his decision as of January 31.

With the transfer portal window closed, Head Coach Steve Sarkisian has already moved to reload, securing key transfers like Hero Kanu and Travis Shaw to bolster the defensive front in the wake of these departures.