By Steve Lansdale
AUSTIN, Texas — The National Football League welcomed its next class of players this week in its annual draft, and among the players whose names were called in Nashville, Tennessee, were a pair of Texas Longhorns: defensive lineman Charles Omenihu and cornerback Kris Boyd.
Omenihu was drafted in the fifth round (161st overall) by the Houston Texans, while Boyd was selected in the seventh round (217th overall) by the Minnesota Vikings.
Omenihu’s selection means [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]the Longhorns have had at least one defensive lineman chosen in 15 of the last 20 drafts, and he becomes the fifth Texas player selected by the Texans, joining wide receiver Sloan Thomas in 2004, offensive lineman Kasey Studdard (2007), defensive tackle Frank Okam (2008) and running back D’Onta Foreman (2017).
“I’m so blessed to be drafted by a great organization like the Houston Texans,” Omenihu said. “I’m just ready to get in, get to work, be a sponge to the veterans and guys who have been there before me and just make my way and be a huge part for what’s coming in Houston.”
The 2018 Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and a first-team All-Big 12 honoree, Omenihu collected 45 tackles and led the UT defense with 18.0 tackles for loss and 9.5 quarterback sacks to help lead the team to a 10-4 record and a win over Georgia in the 2019 Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Omenihu started 33 of the 51 game sin which he played for UT, where he had 99 tackles (68 solo) with 29.5 tackles for loss and 17 sacks. He also had 12 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Boyd’s selection by the Vikings means UT has had at least one defensive back chosen in six of the last 10 drafts. He is the ninth Texas player ever chosen by the Vikings; the last two were defensive end Brian Robison in 2007 and cornerback Cedric Griffin the year before. His arrival will raise to three the number of former UT defensive backs on the roster, which also includes cornerbacks Holton “Hollywood” Hill and Duke Thomas.
“I was just happy,” Boyd said. “I just couldn’t say anything. I was just filled with joy, I couldn’t even explain it. I was just all smiles and couldn’t believe it, but at the same time I could believe it because I knew it was going to happen, it was my dream and goal. I was just excited that 22 years finally paid off.
“I was in the backyard throwing the football and all of sudden I got a phone call and I looked and it said Minnesota. I just said, ‘I’m about to get drafted.’ I said it so nonchalant that (my friends) were laughing and asking me why I said it like that. They were all so anxious when I answered the phone. I ran in the living room and I was watching the TV while I was on the phone the GM and everybody was watching. As soon as I hung up, the first thing I said was, ‘I’m going to be with Hollywood (Hill).’ Those were the first words that came out of my mouth. It was crazy. I actually watch their games because Hollywood’s playing, and I’m just ready. I know their stadium is always rockin’ and I’m ready to get there and get to work.”
A first-team All-Big 12 honoree in 2018, Boyd also played in 51 games at UT and also started in 33. His career totals included 191 tackles (141 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss and one sack. He picked off four passes, forced four fumbles and recovered three, and added one quarterback hurry. In 2018, Boyd played in all 14 games, was fifth on the team with 67 tackles (49 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, one interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recover and a team-leading 16 pass breakups.
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