Six Texas high school football products were drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft, headlined by quarterback Cam Ward, who was selected with the first overall pick by the Tennessee Titans. Ashton Jeanty, Kelvin Banks Jr., Jahdae Barron, Matthew Golden, and Donovan Jackson also heard their name called on Thursday night. 

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft could also feature at least six former Texas high school players. 

1. Clemson QB Cade Klubnik 

High School: Westlake  
DCTF 100 ranking: No. 5 in 2022 class

The five-star won multiple state championships and played for quarterback guru Todd Dodge during an illustrious prep career. He didn’t immediately live up to the recruiting rankings, but he emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in college football by the end of last season. He’s started 28 times and is a two-time ACC Championship Game MVP. The Tigers are poised for a huge 2025 and Klubnik is one of the betting favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. 

2. LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier

High School: Flower Mound Marcus
DCTF 100 ranking: No. 18 in 2021 class

Nussmeier waited his turn and became the starting quarterback at LSU heading into 2024. He’s 10-4 as a starter as he enters his fifth year of college football. The NFL seems to prefer quarterbacks with more development over the young, hotshot quarterbacks with potential these days. That means Nussmeier won’t be dinged for his age. He possesses a big arm and enough athleticism to wow scouts and move up draft boards with a 2025. He needs to be more consistent and to limit bad throws that put his team in trouble. Year 2 as the starter should help with those types of flaws. 

3. Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr. 

High School: Denton Ryan
DCTF 100 ranking: No. 2 in 2023 class

Hill was a can’t-miss prospect after starring on both sides of the ball and winning a state championship at Denton Ryan. He was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and Second-Team All-American as a sophomore. He’s started 22 times and has 24.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks over his first two seasons at Texas. He’s also forced five fumbles and registered an interception. He could be the first defensive player drafted with a big 2025 because he’ll test through the roof. 

4. Texas CB Malik Muhammad 

High School: South Oak Cliff 
DCTF 100 ranking: No. 8 in 2023 class

Texas is rebuilding its reputation as DBU with Barron headed to Denver after winning the Thorpe Award last season. Muhammad is a long, athletic cornerback with potential to be a lockdown cornerback at the NFL level. I’d argue that cornerback is the most important and valuable position in modern defensive football. Yes, even more than edge rusher. Muhammad needs more consistency and he’s not the biggest guy in the world, but scouts will love the athleticism and he’ll have a chance to impress them in Week 1 against Jeremiah Smith and Ohio State. 

5. Texas A&M OL Armaj Reed-Adams

High School: DeSoto
DCTF 100 ranking: Unranked in 2020 class

Reed was a three-star recruit on the cusp of Top 100 status in Texas when he left DeSoto in the 2020 cycle. The guard began his career at Kansas, starting 15 times in four seasons before transferring to Texas A&M ahead of the 2024 campaign. He was Texas A&M’s best offensive linemen last year as he started every game at right guard. He’s an older player who is starting to scratch the surface of his potential. Reed-Adams plays with the type of physicality and mentality that NFL offensive line coaches love. Interior offensive line isn’t always the sexiest position so maybe he lasts until the second or third round. 

6. Texas A&M LB Taurean York

High School: Temple 
DCTF 100 ranking: No. 59 in 2023 class

York has started all 26 games of his college career and was named a team captain for the Aggies before he was even 20 years old. York was a Freshman All-American and an All-SEC Freshman Team selection in 2023. He led Texas A&M in tackles last season while ranking second in tackles for loss. York was only a three-star recruit in high school because of his measurables. He’s not a physical freak like Hill and was off the field on third downs a lot in 2024. It’ll be interesting where NFL scouts land on York. I wouldn’t bet against him. 

Potential QB risers

The NFL falls in love with breakout quarterbacks every season and there are a handful of native Texans who will be draft eligible. Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson, SMU’s Kevin Jennings, TCU’s Josh Hoover, Texas Tech’s Behren Morton, and Houston’s Conner Weigman are a big year away from shooting up draft boards. At this time last year, most NFL draft projections listed Carson Beck and Quinn Ewers as potential overall No. 1 picks. The 2025 season will dictate how the position is projected for the 2026 draft.