The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Photo by: Patrick Meredith / Texas Athletics
Six Longhorns to sign as free agents
04.28.2018 | Football
Six Longhorns are signing undrafted free agent deals following the 2018 NFL Draft.
NFL Draft Index
A total of six Texas Football players have currently agreed to sign with NFL franchises as undrafted free agents following the conclusion of the 2018 NFL Draft. That brings the total to 10 Longhorns getting a chance at the next level after four were selected during the draft.
The six Longhorns signing as undrafted free agents are DB Antwuan Davis, DT Poona Ford, WR Armanti Foreman, DB Jason Hall, DB Holton Hill and LB Naashon Hughes.
Antwuan Davis (Detroit Lions) | Photo Gallery
Defensive back Antwaun Davis is expected to sign with the Detroit Lions. A native of Bastrop, Texas, Davis played in 44 games with 10 starts during his five-year Longhorn career. He made 52 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, three pass breakups, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble during his career. He was named Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 13, 2017 after totaling three tackles, two interceptions, a pick-six and a fumble recovery in a win over Kansas. Davis was a member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Poona Ford (Seattle Seahawks) | Photo Gallery
Defensive tackle Poona Ford is expected to sign with the Seattle Seahawks. A native of Hilton Head, S.C., Ford played in 46 games with 30 starts during his career. He was named the 2017 Big 12 Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year, also garnering first team All-Big 12 recognition from both the league's coaches and the Associated Press. During his career, Ford registered 136 tackles with 20.5 tackles for loss. He added six quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and blocked three kicks. Ford was a team captain in 2017 and was twice a member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Ford on signing with the Seahawks: "Seattle was a team that flew me out for a visit and showed real interest in me, so that really meant something. It's a beautiful place and a beautiful city that I fell in love with, and I think it will be a good situation for me."
Armanti Foreman (Minnesota Vikings) | Photo Gallery
Wide receiver Armanti Foreman is expected to sign with the Minnesota Vikings. A native of Texas City, Texas, Foreman joins his twin brother D'Onta (Houston Texans) in the NFL. Foreman played in 45 games with 21 starts during a four-year career with the Longhorns. He made 86 receptions for 1,070 yards and 11 touchdowns in the burnt orange and white. He caught more than 30 passes in each of his last two seasons, and concluded his career with an 18-yard rushing touchdown in a Texas Bowl victory over Missouri. Foreman was a member of the 2014-15 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team.
Foreman on signing with the Vikings: "I chose the Vikings because they wanted to give me an opportunity and wanted to sign me. It's always been a dream of mine to play in the National Football League and them giving me that opportunity is something I was really excited about. The Vikings are a great organization, and I'm excited to have the opportunity to play with them."
Jason Hall (Seattle Seahawks) | Photo Gallery
Defensive back Jason Hall is expected to sign with the Seattle Seahawks. A native of Grand Prairie, Texas, Hall played in 48 games with 32 starts during his career. He totaled 174 tackles with seven tackles for loss, five sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and 10 pass breakups. In 2017, Hall started the final four games, becoming a force in the dime lightning package. He finished with 22 tackles, an interception, three pass breakups, two QB hurries and a sack.
Hall on signing with the Seahawks: "I just saw an opportunity in Seattle I just couldn't pass up. I believe I'll be a good fit for the defense and with the type of player I am I think I'll be able to contribute a lot and try to help the team. They told me they were looking forward to having me join the team, and I'm really excited and can't wait to get there."
Holton Hill (Minnesota Vikings) | Photo Gallery
Defensive back Holton Hill is expected to sign with the Minnesota Vikings. A native of Houston, Texas, Hill played in 26 games with 20 starts in three years as a Longhorn. He totaled 121 tackles, three interceptions and 11 pass breakups. He returned all three interceptions for a touchdown, and finished his UT career tied second in both interceptions returned for a touchdown (3) and non-offensive touchdowns (4). He is one of just three players in school history to return an interception for a touchdown in consecutive games, doing so against Maryland and San Jose State to begin the 2017 season. In that game against Maryland, he became the first FBS player in the last 10 seasons to return both an interception and blocked punt for a touchdown in the same game. Hill was named honorable mention All-Big 12 in 2015.
Hill on signing with the Vikings: "I'm extremely excited and honored to have the opportunity to go up to Minnesota and play for the Vikings. It's a blessing and something I've always dreamed of to play in the NFL. To have such a good situation with my position coach being Coach (Jerry) Gray, who is a Texas legend, to be there with me every step of the way to help me develop and grow, it's going to make it that much more special. I can't wait to start this new journey of becoming a Viking."
Naashon Hughes (Green Bay Packers) | Photo Gallery
Linebacker Naashon Hughes is expected to sign with the Green Bay Packers. A native of Harker Heights, Texas, Hughes was a team captain for the Longhorns in 2017. He played in 50 games with 34 starts during his five-year career. He totaled 139 tackles with 19.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks in his career. He added seven quarterback hurries, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles. In 2017, Hughes played in all 13 games and started the first eight, helping the Horns to a victory in the Texas Bowl over Missouri. He made six tackles against Maryland and five against USC.
Hughes on signing with the Packers: "It's a situation for me trying to play outside linebacker and getting to learn from people like Clay Matthews, who is at the top of the game as far as outside linebackers are concerned, and going to a team like Green Bay that has a lot of veteran guys I can learn from and expand my game and get better. You can tell that it's a winning program, and a program with a lot of history and tradition to it. They've got great fans and the crowd is crazy, so it's everything you want in a team, and I'm ready to go up there and play football."
Longhorn NFL Draft Notables
*The Longhorns four selections in the 2018 NFL Draft were the most among programs in the state of Texas and tied for the most in the Big 12 Conference.
*Texas has had 341 players selected in its draft history. The Longhorns entered the draft with the 11th-most selections all-time.
*There have been 44 UT players selected in the first round. Three (Tommy Nobis, 1966; Earl Campbell, 1978; and Kenneth Sims, 1982) have been selected first overall.
*The Longhorns set an NFL record when at least one player was taken in 76 consecutive drafts (1938-2013).
*Texas holds the record for most players taken in a single draft, with 17 going in 1984.
*Connor Williams is the first Longhorn offensive lineman drafted since Tony Hills in 2008.
*Williams is the first Longhorn drafted by the Dallas Cowboys since Geoff Swaim in the seventh round of the 2015 draft.
*Malik Jefferson is the first Longhorn linebacker selected since Jordan Hicks in 2015. He is the highest linebacker selected since Derrick Johnson in 2005.
*Jefferson is the first player drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals since Jordan Shipley in the third round of the 2010 draft.
*Michael Dickson is the first Longhorn specialist drafted since Jeff Ward (kicker) in the 11th round of the 1987 draft. He is the first UT punter drafted since John Goodson in 1982 and the highest specialist drafted since Russell Erxleben in the first round of the 1979 draft.
*Dickson is the first Longhorn drafted by the Seattle Seahawks since Earl Thomas in the first round of the 2010 draft.
*Dickson is the highest drafted punter since Bryan Anger was drafted in the third round of the 2012 draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
*DeShon Elliott is the first Longhorn safety since Mykkelle Thompson in 2015 to be drafted.
*Elliott is the first UT player drafted by the Baltimore Ravens since Chykie Brown in 2011.
A total of six Texas Football players have currently agreed to sign with NFL franchises as undrafted free agents following the conclusion of the 2018 NFL Draft. That brings the total to 10 Longhorns getting a chance at the next level after four were selected during the draft.
The six Longhorns signing as undrafted free agents are DB Antwuan Davis, DT Poona Ford, WR Armanti Foreman, DB Jason Hall, DB Holton Hill and LB Naashon Hughes.
Antwuan Davis (Detroit Lions) | Photo Gallery
Defensive back Antwaun Davis is expected to sign with the Detroit Lions. A native of Bastrop, Texas, Davis played in 44 games with 10 starts during his five-year Longhorn career. He made 52 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, three pass breakups, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble during his career. He was named Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 13, 2017 after totaling three tackles, two interceptions, a pick-six and a fumble recovery in a win over Kansas. Davis was a member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Poona Ford (Seattle Seahawks) | Photo Gallery
Defensive tackle Poona Ford is expected to sign with the Seattle Seahawks. A native of Hilton Head, S.C., Ford played in 46 games with 30 starts during his career. He was named the 2017 Big 12 Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year, also garnering first team All-Big 12 recognition from both the league's coaches and the Associated Press. During his career, Ford registered 136 tackles with 20.5 tackles for loss. He added six quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and blocked three kicks. Ford was a team captain in 2017 and was twice a member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Ford on signing with the Seahawks: "Seattle was a team that flew me out for a visit and showed real interest in me, so that really meant something. It's a beautiful place and a beautiful city that I fell in love with, and I think it will be a good situation for me."
Armanti Foreman (Minnesota Vikings) | Photo Gallery
Wide receiver Armanti Foreman is expected to sign with the Minnesota Vikings. A native of Texas City, Texas, Foreman joins his twin brother D'Onta (Houston Texans) in the NFL. Foreman played in 45 games with 21 starts during a four-year career with the Longhorns. He made 86 receptions for 1,070 yards and 11 touchdowns in the burnt orange and white. He caught more than 30 passes in each of his last two seasons, and concluded his career with an 18-yard rushing touchdown in a Texas Bowl victory over Missouri. Foreman was a member of the 2014-15 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team.
Foreman on signing with the Vikings: "I chose the Vikings because they wanted to give me an opportunity and wanted to sign me. It's always been a dream of mine to play in the National Football League and them giving me that opportunity is something I was really excited about. The Vikings are a great organization, and I'm excited to have the opportunity to play with them."
Jason Hall (Seattle Seahawks) | Photo Gallery
Defensive back Jason Hall is expected to sign with the Seattle Seahawks. A native of Grand Prairie, Texas, Hall played in 48 games with 32 starts during his career. He totaled 174 tackles with seven tackles for loss, five sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and 10 pass breakups. In 2017, Hall started the final four games, becoming a force in the dime lightning package. He finished with 22 tackles, an interception, three pass breakups, two QB hurries and a sack.
Hall on signing with the Seahawks: "I just saw an opportunity in Seattle I just couldn't pass up. I believe I'll be a good fit for the defense and with the type of player I am I think I'll be able to contribute a lot and try to help the team. They told me they were looking forward to having me join the team, and I'm really excited and can't wait to get there."
Holton Hill (Minnesota Vikings) | Photo Gallery
Defensive back Holton Hill is expected to sign with the Minnesota Vikings. A native of Houston, Texas, Hill played in 26 games with 20 starts in three years as a Longhorn. He totaled 121 tackles, three interceptions and 11 pass breakups. He returned all three interceptions for a touchdown, and finished his UT career tied second in both interceptions returned for a touchdown (3) and non-offensive touchdowns (4). He is one of just three players in school history to return an interception for a touchdown in consecutive games, doing so against Maryland and San Jose State to begin the 2017 season. In that game against Maryland, he became the first FBS player in the last 10 seasons to return both an interception and blocked punt for a touchdown in the same game. Hill was named honorable mention All-Big 12 in 2015.
Hill on signing with the Vikings: "I'm extremely excited and honored to have the opportunity to go up to Minnesota and play for the Vikings. It's a blessing and something I've always dreamed of to play in the NFL. To have such a good situation with my position coach being Coach (Jerry) Gray, who is a Texas legend, to be there with me every step of the way to help me develop and grow, it's going to make it that much more special. I can't wait to start this new journey of becoming a Viking."
Naashon Hughes (Green Bay Packers) | Photo Gallery
Linebacker Naashon Hughes is expected to sign with the Green Bay Packers. A native of Harker Heights, Texas, Hughes was a team captain for the Longhorns in 2017. He played in 50 games with 34 starts during his five-year career. He totaled 139 tackles with 19.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks in his career. He added seven quarterback hurries, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles. In 2017, Hughes played in all 13 games and started the first eight, helping the Horns to a victory in the Texas Bowl over Missouri. He made six tackles against Maryland and five against USC.
Hughes on signing with the Packers: "It's a situation for me trying to play outside linebacker and getting to learn from people like Clay Matthews, who is at the top of the game as far as outside linebackers are concerned, and going to a team like Green Bay that has a lot of veteran guys I can learn from and expand my game and get better. You can tell that it's a winning program, and a program with a lot of history and tradition to it. They've got great fans and the crowd is crazy, so it's everything you want in a team, and I'm ready to go up there and play football."
Longhorn NFL Draft Notables
*The Longhorns four selections in the 2018 NFL Draft were the most among programs in the state of Texas and tied for the most in the Big 12 Conference.
*Texas has had 341 players selected in its draft history. The Longhorns entered the draft with the 11th-most selections all-time.
*There have been 44 UT players selected in the first round. Three (Tommy Nobis, 1966; Earl Campbell, 1978; and Kenneth Sims, 1982) have been selected first overall.
*The Longhorns set an NFL record when at least one player was taken in 76 consecutive drafts (1938-2013).
*Texas holds the record for most players taken in a single draft, with 17 going in 1984.
*Connor Williams is the first Longhorn offensive lineman drafted since Tony Hills in 2008.
*Williams is the first Longhorn drafted by the Dallas Cowboys since Geoff Swaim in the seventh round of the 2015 draft.
*Malik Jefferson is the first Longhorn linebacker selected since Jordan Hicks in 2015. He is the highest linebacker selected since Derrick Johnson in 2005.
*Jefferson is the first player drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals since Jordan Shipley in the third round of the 2010 draft.
*Michael Dickson is the first Longhorn specialist drafted since Jeff Ward (kicker) in the 11th round of the 1987 draft. He is the first UT punter drafted since John Goodson in 1982 and the highest specialist drafted since Russell Erxleben in the first round of the 1979 draft.
*Dickson is the first Longhorn drafted by the Seattle Seahawks since Earl Thomas in the first round of the 2010 draft.
*Dickson is the highest drafted punter since Bryan Anger was drafted in the third round of the 2012 draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
*DeShon Elliott is the first Longhorn safety since Mykkelle Thompson in 2015 to be drafted.
*Elliott is the first UT player drafted by the Baltimore Ravens since Chykie Brown in 2011.
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