The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Eleven Longhorns invited to NFL Combine
02.13.2024 | Football
Texas will have a program-high 11 players participate in the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis from Feb. 26-Mar. 4.
AUSTIN, Texas – The NFL released the list of players invited to the 2024 NFL Combine on Tuesday, and a program-best 11 Texas Football players have been selected to participate. The Longhorns' list of invitees includes RB Jonathon Brooks, LB Jaylan Ford, OL Christian Jones, WR Adonai Mitchell, DL Byron Murphy II, RB/KR Keilan Robinson, TE Ja'Tavion Sanders, DL T'Vondre Sweat, DB Ryan Watts, WR Jordan Whittington and WR Xavier Worthy. The combine will take place in Indianapolis from Feb. 26-Mar. 4.
Executives, coaches, player personnel staffs and medical personnel from all 32 NFL teams will be on hand to evaluate more then 300 individuals who are eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft (April 25-27, Detroit, Mich.).
Tentative Combine Schedule
» Feb. 25-Mar. 1: DL, LB
» Feb. 26- Mar 2: DB, TE
» Feb. 27-Mar.3: RB, QB, WR
» Feb. 28-Mar.4: OL, PK/ST
Brooks, a three-year running back who played in 22 games with eight starts, was a 2023 Doak Walker Award semifinalist, and a finalist for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award. The Hallettsville, Texas native ranks 34th on Texas' all-time career rushing list with 1,479 yards on 238 carries (6.2 ypc). Last season, he rushed for 1,139 yards, the 14th-most in program history, on 187 carries (6.1 ypc) and 10 touchdowns. He was tabbed All-Big 12 second team by conference coaches and the Associated Press.
Ford, an All-American from Frisco, Texas, was four-year linebacker who played in 49 games with 29 starts. A Butkus Award semifinalist, he completed his career with 287 tackles (141 solo), 27.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and six interceptions. His six interceptions are the fourth-most for a linebacker in program history. He tallied 100-plus tackles in each of the last two seasons, the first Longhorn to accomplish the feat in back-to-back seasons since Keenan Robinson in 2010-11.
Jones, a six-year offensive lineman from Cypress, Texas, appeared in 61 games with 48 starts. A Joe Moore Award semifinalist in 2023, Jones recently participated in Senior Bowl activities in Mobile, Ala. He was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection in 2022 and 2023 by the league's coaches and earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors in 2021.
Mitchell, a wide receiver from Missouri City, Texas, appeared in 14 games with 13 starts in his lone season on the Forty Acres. The 2023 Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year, he established career highs with 55 receptions, 845 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns. His 11 touchdowns led the Big 12 and tied for fifth-most in a season in program history, while the 55 receptions are the 24th-most in UT history. He was selected All-Big 12 second team by the conference's coaches and the Associated Press.
Murphy, an All-American and three-year defensive lineman who played in 39 games with 16 starts, was the 2023 Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year. He totaled 70 tackles (32 solo) with 15 tackles for loss and eight sacks during his time on the Forty Acres. Last season, he earned first-team All-Big 12 accolades from the league's coaches and Associated Press. Murphy is the only lineman in program history to score two offensive touchdowns, collecting both a receiving and rushing touchdown in 2023.
Robinson, a three-year running back from Washington, D.C., appeared in 37 games with five starts. He tallied 542 yards on 82 carries (6.6 ypc) with six touchdowns out of the backfield. Robinson served as Texas' primary kick returner the last two seasons. He averaged 24.2 yards per return during his career, the eighth-best mark in program history, while his 897 career kickoff return yards are ninth all-time for a Longhorn.
Sanders, a three-year tight end from Denton, Texas, played in 39 games with 27 starts. A two-time John Mackey Award semifinalist, Sanders hauled in 99 receptions for 1,295 yards and seven touchdowns during his three seasons in Austin. His 99 receptions are the most all-time for a Texas tight end, while his 1,295 receiving yards rank second in program history. He also holds Texas tight end single-season records for receptions (54 in 2022) and receiving yards (682 in 2023).
Sweat, a five-year defensive lineman from Hunstville, Texas, was the 2023 Outland Trophy winner and a unanimous All-American selection. In 62 career games with 18 starts, Sweat tallied 128 tackles (47 solo) with 17.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, 14 pass breakups, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and one block. The 2023 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, he was also a Walter Camp Player of the Year and Bednarik Award semifinalist.
Watts, a two-year defensive back, appeared in 24 games with 23 starts. The Little Elm, Texas native totaled 89 tackles (63 solo) with five tackles for loss, one sack, seven pass breakups and one interception with the Longhorns. He recently participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Whittington, a five-year wide receiver from Cuero, Texas, played in 41 games with 25 starts. He ranks 12th in program history with 141 receptions, and 14th with 1,757 receiving yards. He was a two-time honorable mention All-Big 12 selection by the league's coaches (2022-23) after converting from running back following the 2019 season.
Worthy, an All-American wide receiver and punt returner from Fresno, Calif., appeared in and started 39 games for Texas. He ranks third in program history with 26 touchdown receptions, fourth all-time in career receiving yards (2,755), sixth in receptions (197) and eighth in punt return yards (564). A three-team All-Big 12 selection, he had a reception in 39 consecutive games, the third-longest streak in UT history. As a return specialist, Worthy had the second-best punt return average for a career (14.5) and season (16.9 in 2023) in program history.