Arch Manning may be the headliner every time Texas comes up in draft conversation, but Fox Sports’ latest 2027 NFL Mock Draft says he’s not carrying the Longhorns alone. In Rob Rang’s new projection, Texas lands three players in the first 15 picks of Round 1, a strong showing for a program that has been leaning on recruiting and development to get back to that level.
The highest-rated Longhorn on Rang’s board is edge rusher Colin Simmons, who checks in at No. 2 overall and goes to the Tennessee Titans. He’s the only Texas player slotted ahead of Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
Manning comes off the board next among the Longhorns at No. 5 overall, landing with the Miami Dolphins. That would put him with the same franchise that drafted former Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers in 2025.
Texas wide receiver Cam Coleman rounds out the group, projected at No. 13 overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Fox College Football highlighted the mock draft on October 8, 2026, asking, "What would you change about this 2027 NFL Mock Draft?"
For Steve Sarkisian, the idea of multiple Longhorns going this high would be a meaningful sign that Texas is back in the business of producing premium draft talent. That matters after the 2026 NFL Draft, when Texas had no first-round picks and Anthony HIll Jr. was the highest selection at No. 60 overall.
The last time Texas had first-round fireworks came in 2025, when three Longhorns went in Round 1: Kelvin Banks Jr. at No. 9, Jahdae Barron at No. 20 and Matthew Golden at No. 23.
Getting three players into the first 15 picks would be a major jump for Sarkisian’s program, especially with no other school placing more than Texas in that stretch. In Rang’s mock, only Oregon and Notre Dame had more first-round selections overall.
In Other News...
Texas Gets A Rivalry Boost From A Familiar Face Returning
Hollywood Smothers has already become a useful part of Texas run game after arriving from Oklahoma by way of North Carolina State, and his presence has been felt in 2026 even with the Longhorns still sorting out their backfield. He missed a recent game because of a lower leg injury, but the timing of his return could hardly be better for a Texas team heading into one of the most charged dates on the schedule.
Smothers is healthy again and expected to be available for the Red River Rivalry against the Sooners, the program he once called home. For Texas, that adds both depth and a little extra bite to a matchup that rarely needs any help getting there. [Read more 🡒]
Red River Just Got More Personal For Texas In A New Way
The buildup to the Red River Rivalry already has plenty of familiar edge, but Texas is also dealing with a newer kind of familiarity on the other sideline. Parker Livingstone, a junior wide receiver, transferred from Texas to Oklahoma after the 2025 season, adding another layer to a matchup that always seems to find a way to feel personal. Steve Sarkisian has acknowledged the reality of letting Livingstone and other players move on, and now the Longhorns have to sort through those departures as part of the backdrop to one of the sports most emotional weekends.
Livingstone has not been as productive at Oklahoma so far this season, but his presence still gives Texas another reason to pay attention to who is lining up across from it. Arch Manning noted the personal dynamics that can come with former teammates facing each other, which only underscores how much this game can stretch beyond the scoreboard. For Texas, the rivalry now carries a little extra locker-room history, and the Longhorns will see exactly how that plays once the teams take the field. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Could Get A Huge Red River Boost At Perfect Time
A bye week can be a handy reset in October, and Texas may be getting the timing just right with the Red River showdown looming. The Longhorns are heading into the Oklahoma game with several key pieces trending back toward full health, including senior running back Hollywood Smothers and sophomore tight end Nick Townsend, while junior defensive back Xaiver Filsaime is in line to make his season debut.
For a rivalry game that often comes down to depth as much as star power, that kind of reinforcements matters. Texas is still navigating the usual injury uncertainty this time of year, with several players from both sides listed as questionable or unavailable, but the Longhorns at least appear to be moving in the right direction at the perfect moment. [Read more 🡒]