The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Andrew Mukuba taken in the second round of the NFL Draft by Philadelphia Eagles
04.25.2025 | Football
The defensive back went 64th overall with the final pick of the second round.
GREEN BAY, Wisc. – Texas defensive back Andrew Mukuba was taken 64th overall in the second round of the 2025 Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles Friday night.
With Mukuba's selection, it marks the first time Texas has had two defensive backs picked in the same draft since 2015, when Mykkele Thompson went to the New York Giants in the fifth round and Quandre Diggs was taken by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round. It's the first time UT has had two defensive backs go in the first two rounds since Aaron Ross and Michael Griffin both went in the first round in 2007.
Mukuba is Texas' fifth pick in the first two rounds this year, joining OL Kelvin Banks Jr. (first round, ninth overall, New Orleans Saints), DB Jahdae Barron (first round, 20th overall, Denver Broncos), WR Matthew Golden (first round, 23rd overall, Green Bay Packers) and Alfred Collins (second round, 43rd overall, San Francisco 49ers). The Longhorns' five draftees through two rounds matches Texas' all-time program high for first and second round selections, which was set at last year's draft. The 10 players selected in the first and second rounds over the last two drafts is the most in Longhorn history over a two-year stretch as well.
"What a great addition to our program Andrew was. Not just as a player, but as a leader, a teammate and a tremendous example of hard work and dedication," Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said. "He just puts his head down, gives it all he's got all of the time and is an incredible teammate. He was a really good football player for us this year who helped us win a lot of games, made big plays and always stepped up when he was needed."
"Andrew is very versatile, played well in the run game, is excellent in pass defense and has some position flexibility. I think the Eagles will see his practice habits, his preparation, and the things that lead to positive performances on game day will really make him a great pro. Those are characteristics he had that will serve him well in the NFL."
The Austin, Texas, product joined the Horns for the 2024 season after a three-year playing career at Clemson. A third-team All-SEC selection and Lott Trophy quarterfinalist, Mukuba garnered 69 tackles (41 solo), four tackles for loss, five interceptions, six pass break-ups, one quarterback hurry and one forced fumble. He, along with Barron, paced Texas with five interceptions, including his game-securing one in double overtime of the CFP Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against Arizona State. Mukuba garnered the Jim Thorpe Award's National Player of the Week on Sept. 9 following UT's win at Michigan.
With Mukuba's leadership and playmaking ability in Texas' secondary, the Longhorns paced the FBS in total interceptions (22) while ranking No. 2 in turnovers gained (31) and team passing efficiency defense (104.56) in 2024. UT also ranked third in the FBS in total defense (283.4 ypg), scoring defense (15.3 ppg) and red zone defense (0.692), while also sitting seventh in the nation in passing yards allowed (173.8 ypg).
QUOTES FROM ANDREW MUKUBA
On his draft process:
In general the process went pretty good. I got everything I wanted out of that process, you know, had some good conversations. But overall I feel like I had a pretty good process with the whole draft process. As far as talking to Philly throughout the draft process, I met with them a few times and had a few good conversations, but I didn't know I was going to be picked by them. I just left everything in God's hands, but I'm glad I'm here. I'm glad I'm with the Eagles, and I'm ready to compete and everything.
On his day and the moment he was picked:
It was a day full of emotions. Man, emotions all over the place, different emotions, those sort of things. Overall, I was sitting there just waiting for my phone to ring. As soon as I saw what it was, you should have seen how fast I jumped out of my seat. But, emotions were everywhere. Everybody was excited. I'm excited. I'm happy. I feel like I'm in a great situation, a great position.
On what playing at Texas last year meant to him along with his teammates Jahdae Barron and Michael Taaffe:
Playing this last year in Texas was an honor and a blessing to be honest with you, because I grew up in Austin, Texas, and am from Austin Texas. Growing up, all you know is hook 'em your whole life, so just being able to do that at the highest level in one of the best conferences in college, I mean, it was definitely amazing.
On how he fits into the Eagles secondary:
For me, I'm an unselfish guy, so whatever is needed for the team at the moment. Like you said, I'm versatile, so I'm a guy that can come in and fill in whatever is needed at the time. I'm just looking forward to it. Whatever the coach feels like is the best fit for the team, then I'm willing to do that.
On how prepared he feels for the NFL coming out of Texas:
I feel well prepared. That's what my time at Texas did for me, just competing and being around some of the best guys in college football that just helped me and got me ready for what's coming. So, I feel like what I'm going to see along the road, it's not going be anything new for me. That's what Texas honestly did for me, preparing me and then just getting me ready for anything that comes my way.
On the coaching staff:
I always want to thank Coach Sark, because I feel like he didn't have to let me come into the program, but he just took a young kid that had a dream of playing at UT from Austin, Texas, and gave him an opportunity to showcase what he can do at the big stage in his hometown in front of his family, coaches and friends. So, I want to of course thank him for that, because that's something that he didn't have to do.
On sharing being drafted with Jahdae Barron and also sharing the moment with Michael Taaffe:
It's a special, special moment, because I feel like it's been long days when I sat down and had these conversations, and by being in this position and doing this at the biggest level and on the biggest stage. So I mean, this came from a long conversation and hard work and dedication, just leaving everything out there. And we finally had a chance to come together our last year at UT and show what we can do and what we've been training to do when the time came.
On what he'd like to say to Longhorn Nation:
Thank you to Longhorn Nation for the love and support all along through the ups and the downs. They held it down. So, I just want to say thank y'all for embracing me, loving me and just helping a kid. I just want to say thank you for that.
On so many fellow Longhorns in the NFL including Moro Ojomo in Philadelphia:
I mean, as soon as I get there, I'm going to try to lean on somebody to kind of show me the ropes and kind of guide me and obviously show me around with me being new. So, I feel like him being a fellow Longhorn, I'm pretty sure he's going to look out for another fellow Longhorn. But I look forward to it, it's going to be fun.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
The next chapter 🤘 @Andrewmukuba2 pic.twitter.com/ThROkH0n8r
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 26, 2025
Adding another weapon to the secondary!@DietzandWatson | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/G6PFmkQDzq
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 26, 2025
Watch Andrew Mukuba meet with the media for the first time as a Philadelphia Eagle. #FlyEaglesFly https://t.co/d4IDS6GE6R
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 26, 2025
Your newest Philadelphia Eagle🤘
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 26, 2025
📺 #NFLDraft – April 24-26 on NFL Network/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/2rJh81e1ec
Andrew Mukuba is a Philadelphia Eagle🤘@Andrewmukuba2 x @Eagles pic.twitter.com/6tf2mbcE8Y
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 26, 2025
