Football season officially ended after the Los Angeles Rams and Highland Park native Matthew Stafford knocked off the Cincinnati Bengals. All eyes now move towards spring ball for the high school and college ranks, as well as the NFL Draft for departing college prospects. The state of Texas is always well represented at the NFL Draft with the 2022 version taking place on April 28 through April 30. 

Mock drafts are everywhere, but this one is different. What if NFL teams could only draft players who played high school football inside the state of Texas? We do a one-round mock draft with Texas high school football prospects below. The only rule is that the player must have finished their high school career in Texas. So, a Texas native who played out of state is eligible (Garrett Wilson at Ohio State for example) while an out-of-state product who played college football in state is not eligible (Marcus Jones at Houston for example). 

This is mostly a big board of NFL Draft eligible prospects in the 2022 class, but I tried to match picks to team needs when possible. The Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock.  

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State, Lake Travis HS

Wilson was the top-ranked prospect in Texas during the 2019 recruiting cycle, at least he was on the Austin American Statesman Fab 55 I was curating at the time. He chose Ohio State over Texas, which proved a wise decision as his career blossomed in Columbus while Tom Herman flamed out at Texas. The Jaguars need weapons for second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Wilson is a future all-pro wide receiver who can play outside and in the slot. 

2. Detroit Lions: OL Kenyon Green, Texas A&M, Humble Atascocita HS

The Lions chose Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell with the seventh pick of the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Adding Green, a versatile offensive lineman who excelled at tackle and guard during his time in College Station, could form an elite pair on the left-side of the Detroit offensive line if Green projects as a left guard, which is his best position. Green could also play right tackle. He started 35 games at Texas A&M with starts at every position along the offensive line except for center. 

3. Houston Texans: S Jalen Pitre, Baylor, Stafford HS 

Readers of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, and listeners to The Republic of Football podcast, know that I am borderline obsessed with Pitre’s playing style. The Stafford native and DCTF Defensive Player of the Year is the prototypical hybrid safety in modern football. He can cover. He can rush the passer. He can even help in run support. The Texans are in rebuild mode and need help at every position. Pitre would provide new head coach Lovie Smith a versatile defensive weapon. 

4. New York Jets: DL DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M, Converse Judson HS

Leal is a freak athlete at 6-4 and 290 pounds. He moves like an edge player despite possessing a body best suited as a three-technique defensive tackle in a four-man front. Leal can also play as a defensive end in an odd-man front. NFL teams love that type of versatility and he’d immediately become a pass-rush threat for the Jets. Leal was a five-star recruit who earned first-team All-SEC and AP All-American honors in 2021. 

5. New York Giants: S Lewis Cine, Georgia, Cedar Hill Trinity Christian HS 

Cine moved into the Cedar Hill area to play at Trinity Chrisitan as a senior and immediately became one of the most dynamic defensive prospects in the 2019. His physicality and football IQ earned him immediate playing time for a Georgia defense that was elite in each of his three seasons in Athens. He was a starter on the national championship team and might be the first safety off the board in the 2022 NFL Draft. 

6. Carolina Panthers: CB Tariq Woolen, UTSA, Arlington Heights HS 

The physical attributes of Woolen make him an intriguing prospect in the upcoming NFL draft. He doesn’t have as much film or on-field success as some of the other top-10 picks on this list, but 6-4 corners with elite speed are rare enough to take a chance on in modern football because cornerback is now one of the four most important positions in football. And if corner doesn’t work out, Woolen can easily play safety. 

7. New York Giants: DT Logan Hall, Houston, Belton HS

Hall was recruited to Houston as a three-star who weighed 225 pounds. He bulked up to 278 pounds by his senior season and that allowed him to become a bully in the trenches with as much ability to hold blocks against the run as he is as a pass rusher. He recorded 13 tackles for loss and six sacks in 2021. Hall is likely a late first round pick or he goes off the board early in the second round as a three-technique defensive tackle or an edge player in an odd-man front. 

8. Atlanta Falcons: WR Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech, Keller Timber Creek HS

A two-time All-Big 12 selection, Ezukanma finished his career at Texas Tech with 138 receptions for 2,165 yards and 15 touchdowns despite dealing with nagging injuries throughout 2021 and a pandemic-shortened season in 2020. The Fort Worth native shouldn’t last past the second round of the NFL draft. 

9. Denver Broncos: RB Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M, Klein Collins HS

Spiller is a three-pronged running back meaning he can run the ball, catch the ball, and help in pass protection. The running back position has been devalued in modern football, but he should still come off the board by at least the third round. Spiller finished his career with 2,993 yards and 25 rushing touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards a carry. He also caught at least 20 passes in each of his three seasons in College Station. 

10. New York Jets (via Seattle): S Verone McKinley III, Oregon, Hebron HS

One of the traits college recruiters place too much stock in is height and that’s why McKinley was allowed to leave the state without major offers from in-state powers. He made his 5-10 frame plenty valuable during his career at Oregon and is likely a second-round draft pick thanks to his coverage skills and physical ability. He’s a safety who can cover like a corner but also help in run support and on special teams. 

11. Washington Commanders: TE Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M, Dickinson HS

A true tight end that can line up on the line of scrimmage, as an H-Back or even flexed out from the line of scrimmage as a true receiver. Wydermyer is a mismatch for any defense and Washington needs as many offensive weapons as possible. He’s a potential second-round draft pick. Wydermyer is arguably the best tight end in the history of the program. 

12. Minnesota Vikings: LB Terrel Bernard, Baylor, La Porte HS

Turn on the Sugar Bowl win over Ole Miss and you’ll be convinced that the middle linebacker can earn a starting spot in the NFL. Bernard can go sideline-to-sideline and is adequate in coverage for such a physical player. He’ll be an immediate help on special teams and could work his way into a third-round draft pick with a solid showing at the NFL combine and at his pro day in Waco. 

13. Cleveland Browns: S Leon O’Neal, Texas A&M, Cy Springs HS

O’Neal was tremendous in 2021 and that makes him a candidate to be drafted by the end of the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. O’Neal, who rarely lacks confidence, started at least 10 games in his final three seasons as an Aggie, including every contest in 2020 and 2021. He was third on the team with seven passes defended and fourth with 58 tackles. He’s improved in coverage enough to have a real shot at becoming a solid contributor at the NFL level. 

14. Baltimore Ravens: S JT Woods, Baylor, Cibolo Steele HS

Woods was a three-star in the 2018 recruiting class and was overlooked because he played alongside five-star safety Caden Sterns, who eventually went to Texas and is now enjoying NFL success with the Denver Broncos. Woods is next up in a long line of Steele defensive backs. He became a real difference maker for Baylor with a penchant for big plays in big moments. The Ravens know all about great safety play and Woods would fit right in the defensive system deployed by the Ravens. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Charleston Rambo, Miami, Cedar Hill HS

Rambo left DFW for Oklahoma but eventually wound up in Miami for his final season. He caught 76 passes in three years as a Sooner. He upped that number to 79 receptions in his one year as a Hurricane. Rambo caught seven touchdowns and averaged 14.8 yards a catch as a senior in 2021. 

16. Philadelphia Eagles (via Indianapolis): WR Jerreth Sterns, Western Kentucky, Waxahachie HS

Sterns is a fascinating NFL prospect who should be lethal as a slot receiver. He was a two-star prospect out of Waxahachie and ended up at Houston Baptist. He followed offensive coordinator Zach Kittley to Western Kentucky for the 2021 season and recorded video game numbers for the Hilltoppers. Sterns caught 150 passes for 1,902 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2021. The Eagles need more weapons for Jalen Hurts. 

17. Los Angeles Chargers: CB Zyon McCollum, Sam Houston, Galveston Ball HS

McCollum played a lot of elite-level football for one of the best FCS programs in the nation. He started 10 games as a true freshman in 2018 and continued to improve in each successive season. McCallum was an All-Southland Conference first-team selection in 2020 when Sam Houston won a national championship. He’s excellent in zone coverage and shouldn’t be on the board past the fourth round. 

18. New Orleans Saints: QB Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky, Victoria East HS

Zappe followed the same route as Sterns. Zappe was an underrecruited prospect out of high school who ended up at Houston Baptist before picking up and heading to Western Kentucky where he broke numerous passing records. He threw for 5,967 yards and 62 touchdowns in 2021. The Saints need a quarterback. 

19. Philadelphia Eagles: OL Chasen Hines, LSU, Marshall HS

The Eagles have three first round picks and I’m using each on offense. Hines is a big-bodied interior lineman who improved with each season at LSU. He might not be physically ready to start on day one in the NFL, but he can be a utility guard early in his career with a chance to become a consistent starter after a year or two of seasoning and improved technique.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: RB Sincere McCormick, UTSA, Converse Judson HS

McCormick was one of the reasons UTSA transformed from cute story to true contender in Conference USA over his three seasons as a Roadrunner. The Judson native helped put San Antonio football on the college map for the first time. He ran for more than 1,400 yards as a sophomore and a junior, leaving UTSA with nearly every rushing record in the program’s short history. He could form a real one-two punch with Steelers running back Najee Harris. 

21: New England Patriots: OL Xavier Newman-Johnson, Baylor, DeSoto HS

Newman-Johnson was part of an offensive line that improved dramatically for Baylor in 2021. He’s a versatile offensive lineman with the ability to play guard or center. The DeSoto product is experienced thanks to 33 starts and 47 games played. A team like New England that values positional versatility and offensive line depth could pick up Newman-Johnson in the fourth or fifth round. 

22. Las Vegas Raiders: DL Michael Clemons, Texas A&M, Sachse HS

Clemons started his career at Cisco College in the JUCO ranks following a three-star ranking as a recruit. It’ll be interesting to see if his September arrest for carrying a weapon and marijuana possession push him down draft boards. He’s a high-motor defensive lineman who can get to the quarterback and that usually allows NFL teams to overlook a few flaws. He recorded 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2021. 

23. Arizona Cardinals: S Kolby Harvell-Peel, Oklahoma State, A&M Consolidated HS

Oklahoma State makes a killing recruiting defensive players who were underrated as recruits and Harvell-Peel fits that mold. He was a three-star recruit out of high school that ranked as the 77th best safety in the 2018 class according to the 247Sports Composite. He outperformed expectations in Stillwater as a do-it-all defensive back with coverage skills and a real nose for the football. 

24. Dallas Cowboys: OL Dawson Deaton, Texas Tech, Frisco HS

The Cowboys need help at center and Deaton is one of the best available in the 2022 NFL Draft. He won’t be gone in the early rounds, so the Frisco native should be on the board come the fifth round. Deaton was a three-year starter at Texas Tech and impressed scouts at the East/West Shrine Game in Las Vegas last month. His high school and college teammate, Jack Anderson, was selected in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. 

25. Buffalo Bills: WR Reggie Roberson, SMU, Mesquite Horn HS

The Bills must capitalize on Josh Allen’s arm talent and adding another big-play wide receiver would only help the offense. Roberson is a player that can be a diamond-in-the-rough pick by a team in the fifth or sixth round. He suffered two season-ending injuries during his college career and that’s likely to give teams pause. Talent wise, Roberson is absolutely a potential draft pick by a team capable of taking a risk. 

26. Tennessee Titans: EDGE David Anenih, Houston, Mansfield Timberview HS

There are four positions in modern football that are valued over everything else: Quarterback, left tackle, cornerback, and edge. Anenih possesses a valuable skill in the pass-happy NFL: The ability to rush the passer. He recorded four sacks in each of the last four seasons, including five in 2021. 

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Danny Gray, SMU, Dallas Madison HS

Gray is an ideal slot receiver in the NFL that could see his named called between the fifth and seventh round. He’d undoubtedly be a valuable undrafted free agent if he slips through the cracks. Gray dealt with academic issues early in his college career prior to righting the ship and becoming a big-play receiver for an explosive SMU offense in 2021.

28. Green Bay Packers: OL Spencer Burford, UTSA, San Antonio Wagner HS

Burford might become UTSA’s first offensive lineman to be drafted into the NFL. When he signed with the Roadrunners out of Wagner High School, Burford was the highest-rated recruit in program history. He lived up to that hype as a multi-year starter at left tackle for an offense that smashed program records in 2021. Burford isn’t NFL ready, but he can find a home as a late draft pick or an undrafted free agent in hopes of working his way into a team’s rotation. 

29. Miami Dolphins (via San Francisco): CB Josh Thompson, Texas, Nacogdoches HS

Cornerbacks are in high demand so Thompson, a long and athletic cover man, could hear his name late in the NFL Draft. Thompson can play outside corner, move into slot, possibly play free safety, and should make a living early in his career on special teams. The four-star from the class of 2017 overtook higher-recruited prospects during his Texas career and he’ll hope to prove more people wrong in the pros. 

30. Kansas City Chiefs: RB Abram Smith, Baylor, Abilene 

Smith impressed at the Senior Bowl and put himself in position to be a late-round draft pick. The running back position isn’t as valued as it once was, so he might slip through the cracks and wind up an undrafted free agent. Smith played linebacker and running back at Baylor, emerging on offense as a senior to break Baylor’s rushing record for a single season. 

31. Cincinnati Bengals: DT Jayden Peevy, Texas A&M, Bellaire HS

Peevy was a four-star recruit out of high school. He emerged as a regular starter for the Aggies over the last two seasons in College Station, earning SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week once in 2020 and once again in 2021. He can play nose tackle or as a one-technique in a three-man front at over 300 pounds. Peevy compiled 16 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in his final three collegiate seasons. 

32. Detroit Lions (via LA Rams): CB Kalon Barnes, Baylor, Silsbee

Speed. That’s the trait that’ll get Barnes a shot in the NFL. He was a tracks star at Silsbee, breaking the Texas state 100-meter record as a junior with a time of 10.22. He played sparingly in his first two seasons in Waco, but he improved and earned more playing time once Dave Aranda took over at Baylor. Barnes started five games in 2020 and 10 times in 2021.