IF THE NFL DRAFT is considered a party (which the league wants you to believe), members of the Texas football team are often the life of the celebration. From the early days to the present, the NFL teams have filled their rosters with former Longhorn players.
This year, safety Kenny Vaccaro – possessed with the aggressiveness and attitude that the NFL covets in the defensive …
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backs – stole the spotlight. Vaccaro went as the 15th overall pick to New Orleans and was the first safety drafted this season.
The Saints appreciated his physicality and ability to cover the best receivers in the league. People had little doubt that Vaccaro would go in the first round. But what of the other Texas players who set their sights on playing professionally?
The Buffalo Bills took track star and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin as the 78th overall pick in the third round. Goodwin, who ran 40 yards in 4.27 seconds at the HFL combine, could become a great NFL receiver if he decides to focus on football, rather than split his time between track and the gridiron. Fans will need to wait to see if he’s ready to give up his Olympic dream for a chance at the Super Bowl.
Arizona drafted the only other Texas player, selecting defensive end Alex Okafor with the 103rd overall pick in the fourth round. The Cardinals will likely move Okafor to outside linebacker, a spot that will take advantage of his athleticism and desire – the same skill set that he displayed in the win against Oregon State in the Valero Alamo Bowl.
Okafor accounted for four and a half of Texas’ record 10 sacks in that game. Okafor will shine for the NFL once he’s unleashed. To reach his full potential, he’ll need to avoid the nagging injuries that he experienced on the 40 Acres.
Two former Longhorns signed free agent contracts — run- ning back D.J. Monroe (Tampa Bay) and defen- sive tackle Brandon Moore (San Diego). Of those two, I expected Monroe to stick and make an impact, until the Bucs released him in early May.
I’m no Carnac the Magnificent, but five years from now I predict the follow- ing: Vaccaro will have played in at least three Pro Bowls and Okafor will lead the Arizona defense and Monroe will still be playing in the league — if another team picks him up.
And we’ll all still shake our heads and ask why the Texas staff didn’t find more ways to get the ball in Monroe’s hands when he was a Longhorn.
Just sayin’, ya know?
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