Welcome to the 2022 NFL Draft hub page tracking former Texas high school footbal stars selected to the next level. Here are the 32 former Texas high school products taken in the 2022 NFL Draft. 

Round 1

WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State, Lake Travis

Pick: Round 1 (10) New York Jets  

As a prep: My previous job at the Austin American-Statesman provided a front row seat to the rise of Wilson, who earned the nickname Spider-Man because of his body control and sticky hands. Wilson was the No. 1-ranked player on my 2019 Fabulous 55 and on the DCTF Hot 100 list created by Greg Powers. He was a consensus five-star prospect by the end of the cycle, ranking as 20th-best overall prospect and second-best receiver in the 2019 recruiting class, per the 247Sports Composite. Wilson caught 222 passes for 3,648 yards, and 57 touchdowns during his three-year career at Lake Travis. 

As a collegiate: Wilson more than lived up to the hype at Ohio State. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches as a sophomore in 2020 and a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association as a junior. He caught 70 passes for 1,054 yards and 12 scores in 2021. His 143 career receptions rank eighth all-time at Ohio State and he ranks 10th all-time with 2,213 receiving yards. His 10 100-yard receiving games rank third in school history. And he could have played one more season. 

As a pro? Wilson’s ability to make congested catches translates to any level of competition. He’s played outside and in the slot throughout his prep and college career. He’ll likely get his start on the outside, but he’d catch over 100 balls a season as an inside receiver. Some scouts are comparing him to the Bills’ Stefon Diggs. The only concern for Wilson if he plays out wide is bump-and-run coverage against bigger, stronger defensive backs. Wilson’s elite physical trait is his short-line quickness and elusiveness with the ball. The Jets drafted quarterback Zach Wilson in the 2021 draft. 

OL Kenyon Green, Texas A&M, Humble Atascocita 

Pick: Round 1 (15) Houston Texans

As a prep: Green was a sure-fire bet at a position that might be the toughest to project out of high school for recruiting experts and college coaches alike. Maybe there were questions about his ability to play left tackle at an elite level due to his lack of length, but no one questioned Green’s ability to block. He was a technician at a young age that dazzled at local and national camps against the best competition. Green was ranked third on the 2019 DCTF Top 100 behind Wilson and DeMarvin Leal. He was a four-year starter at Atascocita with all-district and all-state honors along the way. Green was at The Opening Finals and the Under Armour All-America Game. 

As a collegiate: Green started in each of the 35 games Texas A&M played once he arrived on campus prior to the 2019 season. He made his college debut at right guard against Texas State and ended the season on the SEC All-Freshman Team. He moved to left guard as a sophomore in 2020 in an All-SEC Second Team campaign. Green proved his positional versatility by logging snaps at center during the Orange Bowl win over North Carolina. He became known for that versatility as a junior in 2021 when he played four different positions along the offensive line for the Aggies. Green as an AP All-American, a Lombardi Award Finalist, and an All-SEC First Team member last year. 

As a pro? Green projects to guard at the NFL level. He doesn’t possess the type of length required to play left tackle. He could serve as a capable right tackle in a pinch, but left guard is his ideal position. Green is a future 10-year veteran with Pro Bowl potential at guard if his knee holds up and he avoids injury. 

OL Tyler Smith, Tulsa, North Crowley

Pick: Round 1 (24) Dallas Cowboys

As a prep: The multiple time all-district selection wasn’t projected to be a future first round pick. Smith reported only four offers out of North Crowley, eventually picking Tulsa over Houston, Navy, and New Mexico. He was a three-star that ranked 2,417th in the nation as a prospect in the 2019 class who played guard and tackle in his prep career. 

As a collegiate: Smith took a redshirt season in 2019 before bursting onto the scene as a starting left tackle in 2020. He started nine games that season, earning Freshman All-American by the FWAA and first-team All-AAC. Smith was a second-team All-AAC selection as a redshirt freshman in 2021. 

As a pro: The Cowboys needed offensive line help and Smith is a guy with experience playing guard and tackle. He could realistically slide into the left guard spot until he’s evolved enough to take the right tackle spot. Smith was prone to penalties and is raw as a technician, but he’s a hard-nosed player with the athletic tools and frame to be an excellent pro. 

S Lewis Cine, Georgia, Trinity Christian-Cedar Hill 

Pick: Round 1 (32) Minnesota Vikings

As a prep: Cine moved to Texas from out of state late in his prep career, finding a home at Trinity Christian when Deion Sanders was in town. The fact that he played at the TAPPS level and that he didn’t arrive on the scene in the state until his senior year kept him off most fans’ radars. He was absolutely on the radars of college coaches and scouts. Cine was a four-star talent who ranked in the top 50 nationally on the 247Sports Composite. He picked Georgia over 35 other offers.

As a collegiate: Cine was an immediate impact player in Georgia, which is an impressive accomplishment considering the defensive talent in Athens. Cine played in all 14 games that season, starting the final two. He’d never leave the starting lineup over the next two seasons. Cine started all 10 games in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, finishing second on the team with 49 tackles. He was an AP All-SEC First Team and Third Team All-American as a junior in 2019 while helping the Bulldogs win a national title. He led the team with 73 stops and nine pass breakups. 

As a pro? Safety is a position that teams feel differently about in the NFL. Some teams, such as the Minnesota Vikings, covet the position. Others, like the Dallas Cowboys, feel like it is a position that is best addressed through free agency or by converting cornerbacks. Depending on where you fall, Cine was either a first-day talent or a second-day flier. He’s a high IQ football player who can help in run support and is an above-average cover guy if he’s not 1-on-1 with a speedster. Cine is a first- or second-year starter for most NFL teams. He’s just not a guy who will be asked to play centerfield. He’s an enforcer. 

Round 2

DL Logan Hall, Houston, Belton 

Pick: Round 2 (33) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

As a prep: Hall was an underrecruited three-star defensive end out of the 2018 recruiting cycle. He didn’t crack any recruiting rankings and his only reported offers were from Houston, Bowling Green, and Sam Houston. 247Sports listed him as the 1,998th-ranked prospect in the entire class and the 290th-best player in the state of Texas during that cycle. 

As a collegiate: Hall was listed at 6-6 and 225 pounds coming out of Belton High School. He added fifty pounds while at Houston to become a dominant force against the run and the pass. Hall was a key member of Sack Avenue (Houston’s defensive line), which averaged nearly four sacks a game as a unit in 2021. Hall was a first-team All-AAC selection and a member of the 2021 Dave Campbell’s All-State First Team after leading the Cougars with 13.5 tackles for loss as a defensive tackle. He started seven games in 2020.  

As a pro? Hall’s 6-6, 275-pound frame makes NFL scouts drool because of his ability to play multiple positions in multiple schemes. He can play as a three-technique in an even-man front. He can play as a big-bodied defensive end in an odd-man front. That means he’s on the board of each of the 32 NFL teams. His combination of size, athleticism, and enthusiasm makes him a safe bet for NFL success. The usual concern for defensive tackles is motor. Hall was a model of consistency, recording a sack in seven different games last year. 

S Jalen Pitre, Baylor, Stafford 

Pick: Round 2 (37) Houston Texans

As a prep: Pitre is one of the older guys in the draft. He was the District 10-4A Division I Co-Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore way back in 2014. He was a three-year starter at Stafford High School with a ton of success and production, but that didn’t result into much recruiting attention. SMU and Baylor were the biggest schools to offer the three-star out of the 2017 recruiting cycle. Most of the draft picks in the 2022 NFL Draft are from the 2019 or 2018 classes. Stafford was ranked as the 1,001st-best overall prospect in 2017 and the 137th-best from Texas. 

As a collegiate: Pitre became a folk legend in Waco by sticking it out through tough times on multiple occasions in his five-year career at Baylor. He began to overachieve his high school recruiting profile as a true freshman in 2017 when he played in 12 games with eight starts. Pitre took a step back in 2018 when he only earned one started in 13 games played. He was then redshirted in 2019 after only appearing in four games. 

Pitre turned the corner as a junior in 2020 when he started all nine games in new head coach Dave Aranda’s defense. He was a First Team All-Big selection and an honorable mention for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year after leading the Bears with 60 tackles. He was even better as a senior in 2021, earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and All-American honors. Pitre was a finalist for the Thorpe Award and was the only FBS player in the country with at least three fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions. Pitre led the Big 12 with 17.5 tackles for loss. 

As a pro? Pitre is a second-day steal for an NFL franchise. He’s perfectly suited for the modern game because of his versatility. He can play near the line of scrimmage and cause problems in the backfield, illustrated by his 17.5 tackles for loss in 2021. He can also cover and change games with interceptions or fumbles. NFL scouts also know he’s capable of overcoming adversity and is more mature than most of the players in this draft. Mel Kiper called him a Swiss-Army knife. 

OL Ed Ingram, LSU, DeSoto

Pick: Round 3 (59) Minnesota Vikings

As a prep: Ingram was a four-star in high school who spurned multiple in-state offers for a college career at LSU. The multiple-time all-district selection played in the 2017 Under Armour All-America Game. He was ranked as the 201st-overall prospect and the 33rd-best Texan in the 2017 recruiting cycle, according to 247Sports Composite. 

As a collegiate: Ingram was a four-year starter along the offense line for the Tigers, helping LSU win a national championship in 2019. He appeared in 45 career games, starting 34 times. Twenty-two of those starts came at left guard and the other 12 at right guard. Ingram was a second-team All-SEC selection by the league’s coaches. 

As a pro? The Vikings picked Ingram with the hopes that he slides into one of the starting guard positions as a rookie. He’s a veteran player with a ton of snaps under his belt in the best conference in college football. He shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the move to the NFL. 

Round 3

S JT Woods, Baylor, Cibolo Steele 

Pick: Round 3 (79) Los Angeles Chargers

As a prep: The three-star recruit took a backseat to fellow Cibolo Steele safety Caden Sterns, who went on to play at Texas and is now a starting safety in the NFL for the Broncos. Woods was a productive player on a talented defense who reported 11 offers, picking Baylor over programs such as Houston, Texas State, and Army. Baylor was the only Power Five program to offer. Woods, who dealt with injury as a senior, was the 69th-ranked safety in the 2018 recruiting cycle and the 128th-best prospect in Texas. 

As a collegiate: Woods was a multiple-year starter for a Bears program that won the Big 12 and Sugar Bowl in 2021. Woods was a key part to the team’s defensive success. He led the Big 12 with six interceptions and was fourth on the team with 57 tackles. Woods was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection. He appeared in 50 games in his Baylor career, which is fifth-most all-time in program history. He started 28 of those games, including 23 straight to end his career. 

As a pro? Woods possesses all the traits to be a multiple-year starter at the NFL level, even if he needs a season or two as a reserve who plays mostly on special teams. He’s long enough and athletic enough to play free or strong safety. His ability to play centerfield is a valuable trait in modern football. He’s also unafraid to help in run support despite a history of missed tackles. 

DL DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M, Converse Judson

Pick: Round 3 (84) Pittsburgh Steelers 

As a prep: Leal was a highly touted prospect throughout his high school career after a strong playoff run as a sophomore. Those Judson teams were supremely talented with the 2019 class possessing Leal, Sincere McCormick, and Rashad Wisdom. Leal was the highest rated of the bunch. He was the second-ranked prospect on the 2019 DCTF Hot 100 behind Garrett Wilson. The five-star was the 16th-best recruit in the 2019 cycle and the second-ranked defensive tackle in the nation. Leal was a three-time all-district selection and the Defensive MVP of his Class 6A district as a junior and a senior. 

As a collegiate: Leal worked his way into Texas A&M’s starting lineup as a true freshman. He started seven games that season and second on the team with five quarterback hurries. Leal was named the Defensive Top Newcomer as the team’s annual banquet. Leal emerged as a star during his 2020 sophomore season. He led the defense in hurries with eight and ranked fifth on the team in tackles with 37. He tied a career-high of seven tackles in A&M’s Orange Bowl victory over North Carolina. Leal was an AP All-American and an All-SEC First Team selection after starting 12 games as a senior. He was fifth in the SEC with 8.5 sacks and ninth with 12.5 tackles for loss.

As a pro? Leal slipped down draft boards as a junior despite his best statistical year on the college level. Scouts reportedly viewed him as a solid player with a high floor, but one that lacked the explosiveness to become a Pro Bowl talent. The 6-4, 290-pound Leal does offer positional versatility as a defensive lineman. He prefers to play on the edge, but he could easily convert to a three-technique in an even-man front. He’s also perfectly suited to play on the edge of a three-man defensive line. Sure, he might not be Aaron Donald, but Leal was a smart day two pick up who is likely to be an NFL contributor for two or three professional contracts. 

LB Terrel Bernard, Baylor, La Porte

Pick: Round 3 (90) Buffalo Bills

As a prep: Bernard was a three-star prospect who reported 14 offers in the 2017 class despite earning all-state honors. He was a three-time first-team all-district selection. Bernard picked Baylor over offers such as Houston, Colorado, and Texas Tech. He was ultra-productive even as a teenager, surpassing 100 tackles in each of his final three seasons at La Porte. He tallied 148 tackles as a junior and 179 as a senior. 

As a collegiate: Bernard emerged as a star linebacker on Baylor’s defense. He suffered a foot injury that caused a redshirt season in 2017. He started twice as a redshirt freshman in 2018. Bernard came of age in his third year on campus when he was second-team All-Big 12 after compiling 112 tackles for a Baylor squad that reached the Big 12 championship. He was second-team All-Big 12 again despite Baylor struggling to two wins in 2020. Bernard elevated his play to first-team All-Big 12 as a senior in 2021 for the Bears. His 20-tackle performance in a Sugar Bowl win won’t be forgotten in Waco. 

As a pro? Bet against Bernard at your own risk. He’s not the biggest or the fastest linebacker in the draft, but he was one of the most productive over his long career at Baylor. Bernard knows nothing other than success on the football field. He overachieved in high school. He overachieved in college. And he plans to do the same thing in the NFL. Bernard will start his career as a special teams ace who works his way into a lineup. 

WR Danny Gray, SMU, Dallas Madison 

Pick: Round 3 (105) San Francisco 49ers 

As a prep: Gray was a three-star wide receiver out of Madison who signed with Missouri before winding up at Blinn Junior College. While in high school, Gray was a track and football star. He earned District 4-4A Division II Overall MVP as a sophomore and a first-team all-district selection as a junior. Gray was a Class 3A state champion in the 100-meter dash and on the 4X100-meter relay team. 

As a collegiate: Gray spent two productive seasons at Blinn prior to arriving at SMU. The 6-1 wideout caught 15 balls for 409 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman and 54 passes for 877 yards and eight scores as a sophomore. The Dallas native, who was the 13th-ranked JUCO prospect and the third-best JUCO wide receiver in the 2020 cycle, decommitted from TCU and signed with SMU. Gray started eight games in 2020, recording 33 receptions for 448 yards and four scores. He started in 10 games last year. His 803 yards (49 catches) led the team. 

As a pro? Gray is a big-play threat who can make a living as a vertical threat in the NFL. His 16.4 yards a catch in 2021 was sixth best in the AAC. The 49ers need more playmakers, especially with uncertainty surrounding Deebo Samuel. The NFL Draft was deep with receivers and Gray is the perfect example as to why teams no longer need to reach in the first or second round to find instant impact players. 

Round 4

DL Michael Clemons, Texas A&M, Sachse 

Pick: Round 4 (117) New York Jets

As a prep: Clemons didn’t build a name for himself until a trip to Cisco College. He emerged from the JUCO ranks as a coveted recruit after not receiving any attention out of Sachse. Clemons was the 22nd-ranked JUCO recruit in the 2017 class after racking up 2.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. 

As a collegiate: Clemons took a redshirt in 2018. He became a fixture in the starting lineup as a junior in 2019. Clemons was off to a hot start in 2020 before suffering an injury. Despite only playing five games, Clemons was second on the team with four sacks. He started nine of 10 games he played in last year, leading the Aggies with 13 hurries. 

As a pro? Consistency is the question mark for Clemons. He’s undoubtedly talented and can play in a four-man front or an odd-man front. He’s a big, physical guy with some pass rush skills. The lack of depth along the Jets’ defensive line provide him a real opportunity to make an impact as a rookie if he stays healthy and motivated. 

CB Akayleb Evans, Missouri, McKinney

Pick: Round 4 (118) Minnesota Vikings

As a prep: Evans was a two-star prospect out of McKinney who chose Tulsa over offers from Kansas and Iowa State. He was the 223rd-ranked cornerback in the 2017 class. 

As a collegiate: Evans spent his first four seasons at Tulsa before transferring to Missouri to raise his profile in the SEC as a grad transfer. He started nine games in 2020, tallying 29 tackles and three pass breakups. Evans started eight games in the 2021 campaign at Mizzour. He totaled 30 tackles, six pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. 

As a pro? Opportunities always exist for cornerbacks in the current NFL landscape. Evans plays a need position and he’s proven capable of covering top-end receivers after a year in the SEC. The 6-2, 198-pound Evans can play outside, move into the nickel, or transition to safety if his speed doesn’t translate to the NFL. 

RB Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M, Klein Collins  

Pick: Round 4 (123) Los Angeles Chargers

As a prep: Spiller was destined for attention in the recruiting world thanks to a familiar last name. His dad, Fred, was a tight end at Texas A&M. The young Spiller made his name as a running back in north Houston. He was a second-team all-district selection as a sophomore and the District 15-6A Offensive MVP as a junior and a senior. Spiller left Klein Collins as the 152nd-ranked player in the 2019 cycle and the ninth-best running back in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite. 

As a collegiate: Spiller exceeded high expectations during his three years in College Station. He was an SEC All-Freshman Team selection in 2019 after starting nine games and leading the Aggies with 946 yards rushing. Spiller averaged 103.6 rushing yards a game as a sophomore, which was third-most in the SEC. He’d top 1,000 yards for the second consecutive season in 2021 when he led the Aggies for the third time in three years with 1,011 rushing yards. His 16 100-yard performances were the most by an Aggie since Greg Hill in the early 1990s. 

As a pro? The running back position continues to lose value in the modern NFL. Not because the position is useless, but because it is the hardest position to remain healthy for a long career. The lifespan of a running back isn’t long, and Spiller logged a lot of carries at the prep and college level. He’ll be an NFL contributor for years, but for how many is the question that NFL GMs must ask. Spiller would have been a first-round pick in a previous era. 

K Cade York, LSU, Prosper

Pick: Round 4 (124) Cleveland Browns

As a prep: York was a big-time talent coming out of high school. He was a real weapon for Prospect, connecting on 9 of 11 field goals as a senior. He made a 59-yard field goal in the 2019 Under Armour All-America Game, which remains a record. 

As a collegiate: York was an immediate starter at LSU. He was a member of the 2019 SEC All-Freshman Team, the 2020 First Team All-SEC (Coaches) and a Second Team All-SEC selection in 2021. The three-year starter was 54 of 66 at LSU. 

As a pro? Teams don’t pick kickers to sit on the bench. York should become the regular kicker for the Browns by Week 1. 

WR Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech, Timber Creek

Pick: Round 4 (125) Miami Dolphins

As a prep: The four-star amassed 2,471 yards and 32 touchdowns during his three-year varsity career at Timber Creek in the Fort Worth area. He also rushed for 383 yards and four touchdowns in his career. He accounted for 1,447 yards and 20 touchdowns during a junior campaign that put him on the recruiting map. He chose Texas Tech over multiple Big 12 and SEC offers. 

As a collegiate: Ezukanma led Texas Tech in receiving for three consecutive seasons, becoming the first player to do so in Lubbock since Wayne Walker in the 1980s. He caught 48 passes for 705 yards and four scores as a junior in 2021. He was one the Big 12’s best receivers as a sophomore in 2020 with 46 catches for 748 yards and six touchdowns. 

As a pro? The Dolphins are putting together a talented receiving core and Ezukanma gets a chance to learn from players such as Tyreke Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The good news for Ezukanma is that both of those receivers are smaller, quicker receivers. Ezukanma is a 6-3 receiver who can play on the outside and take advantage of 1-on-1 coverage. 

OL Spencer Burford, UTSA, San Antonio Wagner

Pick: Round 4 (134) San Francisco 49ers

As a prep: Burford was UTSA’s first-ever four-star signee. He was a first-team all-district selection as a senior, posting 88 knockdowns and 28 pancake blocks in 2017. Burford was also a first-team all-district selection as a junior. 

As a collegiate: Burford was an instant starter for the Roadrunners. He started in 10 games as a true freshman. He started 11 times as a sophomore in 2019, 10 starts as a junior in 2020, and 12 times as a senior in 2021. Burford was a first-team All-Conference USA selection as a senior. He earned an invite to the Senior Bowl and participated at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. 

As a pro? Burford was a versatile player for the Roadrunners. He started his college career at guard and eventually moved out to left tackle. He registered a start at four of the five offensive line positions during his four-year career at UTSA. Right tackle feels like the first position he’ll get a crack at during his pro career. Left guard is another possibility. 

QB Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky, Victoria East

Pick: Round 4 (137) Baltimore Ravens 

As a prep: Zappe didn’t even have a recruiting ranking coming out of Vcitoria East in the 2017 class. He wound up at Houston Baptist where he met up with offensive coordinator Zach Kittley. The two would rewrite record books over the 2020 and 2021 seasons. 

As a collegiate: He averaged 458.3 yards passing in a pandemic-shortened 2020. He completed 69 percent of his passes for 5,987 yards (an FBS record) and 62 touchdowns to only 11 interceptions. Zappe won the 2021 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award.

As a pro? Zappe was drafted to be the backup to 2021 first round pick Mac Jones. He’ll be a guy who attempts to be a journeyman quarterback and eventually earn a shot at a starting spot somewhere in the league. 

Round 5

S Delarrin Turner-Yell, Oklahoma State, Hempstead

Pick: Round 5 (152) Denver Broncos

CB Tariq Woolen, UTSA, Arlington Heights

Pick: Round 5 (153) Seattle Seahawks

As a prep: Woolen made his name in the prep ranks as a wide receiver. The three-star led Heights as a senior with 31 catches for 536 yards and 10 scores, earning first-team all-district honors at the Class 5A level. Woolen also played basketball and starred on the track team. He was the 142nd-ranked wide receiver in the 2017 class who didn’t rank inside the top 1,000 players in his recruiting cycle. UTSA held off a late run by Baylor to land Woolen. 

As a collegiate: Woolen earned three starts and played in 12 games at wide receiver as a redshirt freshman. He caught 15 balls for 158 yards and a touchdown during that time. Woolen put up similar numbers as a wide receiver as a sophomore in 2019. Woolen moved to cornerback with the arrival of Jeff Traylor’s staff prior to the 2020 season. Woolen started seven games in 2020 and nine games during an honorable mention All-CUSA season as a senior in 2021. Injuries prevented Woolen from excelling on a consistent basis at cornerback over the last two seasons. 

As a pro? Woolen was a high draft pick because of potential. There simply aren’t a lot of 6-4 cornerbacks who run a 40-yard dash in 4.26 seconds, which was the fourth-fastest time in NFL Combine History. In fact, he might be the only one walking the planet and that’s a skill set NFL teams bet on in the second or third round. Woolen is raw. He’s only played cornerback for two seasons, and he missed time to injury in both campaigns. He left UTSA with 16 starts at cornerback and six starts at wide receiver over a five-year span. That’s not a ton of football. He has the upside to develop into a high-end cornerback with patience. There’s always the possibility that he moves to safety if his 1-on-1 cover skills don’t measure up at the next level. 

CB Zyon McCollum, Sam Houston, Galveston Ball 

Pick: Round 5 (157) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

As a prep: The one-time Utah commit wound up at Sam Houston in the class of 2017 as a three-star prospect. He was a two-time second-team all-district selection in District 23-5A. His only other reported offer was from Tulane. McCollum was ranked as the 215th-best corner and the 2,140th-best overall prospect in the 2017 cycle, according to 247Sports Composite. 

As a collegiate: McCollum immediately made an impact at Sam Houston. He started 10 games as a true freshman in 2017, becoming the first Bearkat to intercept at least three passes as a true freshman since 2001. He was an All-Southland first team selection as a sophomore in 2018 and second team as a junior in 2019. McCollum blossomed into an All-American over his final two seasons, helping Sam Houston win an FCS national championship in the spring of 2021. 

As a pro? McCollum is an intriguing prospect in the eyes of NFL scouts. On one hand, he’s fast enough to stick at corner and big enough at 6-4 to move to safety. On the other hand, no one has seen him play against top-tier competition. McCollum’s ability to adjust from the FCS level to the NFL likely dictates his pro success. Hopefully, the team is patient with him during his development because the Galveston native possesses all the physical tools required to be a starter in the NFL. 

DL Otito Ogbonnia, UCLA, Katy Taylor

Pick: Round 5 (160) Los Angeles Chargers

As a prep: Ogbonnia was a two-time all-district selection at Katy High School. He signed with UCLA as the 38th-ranked defensive tackle and the 86th-best recruit in Texas out of the 2018 recruiting class. He also won every shot-put competition he entered as a senior, winning gold medals in discus and shot put at the state championships. 

As a collegiate: He split time between track and football early in his college career. He started at least two games in each of his four seasons at UCLA. He rebounded from a frustrated 2020 with 12 starts in 2021. Ogbonnia had multiple tackles in seven games. 

As a pro? Ogbonnia is a big-bodied defensive tackle who can be a first- and second-down option in the trenches. He’ll eat blocks and help in the run game. He’s probably not athletic enough to be a two-gap defensive tackle, but can play nose guard or as a one-tecnique in an even-man front. 

Round 6

LB Kyron Johnson, Kansas, Arlington Lamar

Pick: Round 6 (181) Philadelphia Eagles 

RB Keaontay Ingram USC, Carthage 

Pick: Round 6 (201) Arizona Cardinals

WR Michael Woods II, Oklahoma, Magnolia

Pick: Round 6 (202) Cleveland Browns

RB Trestan Ebner, Baylor, Henderson

Pick: Round 6 (203) Chicago Bears 

OL Austin Deculus, LSU, Cy-Fair

Pick: Round 6 (205) Houston Texans

OL Chasen Hines, LSU, Marshall

Pick: Round 6 (210) New England Patriots

Round 7

OLB Cameron Goode, Cal, Klein Collins

Pick: Round 7 (224) Miami Dolphins

OL Chris Paul, Tulsa, Jersey Village

Pick: Round 7 (230) Washington Commanders 

CB Kalon Barnes, Baylor, Silsbee

Pick: Round 7 (242) Carolina Panthers 

OL Dawson Deaton, Texas Tech, Frisco

Pick: Round 7 (246) Cleveland Browns