Texas tight end J'Tavion Sanders was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the first pick on Day 3 (101st overall, Round 4) of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Denton native and first-team All-Big 12 tight end enjoyed a dominant college career, racking up 99 receptions in three seasons, the program's all-time record for catches by a tight end.
Sanders endured a touchdown drought in 11 games from September 2 to December 2, but became an integral part of the Longhorns' passing game in the final stages of Texas' first College Football Playoff, totaling ( He set a team high in the 6th inning. He had 75 receiving yards in a 37-31 loss to No. 2 Washington in the semifinals.
Sanders also had a big performance in the Big 12 championship game, recording a team-high eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown in a 49-21 win over Oklahoma State.
Sanders is the sixth Texas player selected in the draft, joining Byron Murphy, Xavier Worthy, T'Vondre Sweat, Jonathan Brooks and Adonai Mitchell.
Christian Jones, offensive tackle
Jones, a six-year offensive lineman from Cypress, was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round, 162nd overall.
The 6-6, 321-pounder played in 61 games (48 starts) and was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection in 2022 and 2023.
He joins Texas Tech's Dadrion Taylor Demerson, who was drafted in the fourth round out of Arizona State.
Kaylan Robinson, running back
The Jacksonville Jaguars continued their streak of fifth-round running backs, selecting former Longhorn Keilan Robinson with the 167th overall pick.
After one season at Alabama, Robinson transferred to Texas. In his third and final season in Austin, Robinson played in all 13 games and started just one game in a crowded running back room.
He averaged 24.2 yards per kickoff return in his career, ranking eighth in UT history, and was named 2022 All-Big 12 honorable mention as a return specialist.
Jaylan Ford, linebacker
The New Orleans Saints selected former Longhorns linebacker Jaylan Ford with the 175th overall pick in the fifth round. The Frisco Lone Star High School product, who was named first-team All-Big 12 in 2022 and 2023, led Texas with 101 tackles last season.
Ryan Watts, defensive back
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ryan Watts with the 195th overall pick in the sixth round, inheriting a draft prospect from the Longhorns several months removed from the College Football Playoff. The Little Elm product spent two years at Texas State after transferring from Ohio State University. He played in 24 games (23 starts) and was named honorable mention All-Big 12 in 2022.
Jordan Whittington, wide receiver
The Los Angeles Rams selected Whittington with the 213rd overall pick in the sixth round. Although his Texas career was hampered by injuries, Whittington appeared in 41 games (25 starts) over five seasons. He ranks 12th in UT history in career receptions (141) and 14th in receiving yards (1,757). Whittington is the 11th Longhorn drafted this weekend.
See more of The Dallas Morning News' high school sports coverage here.
Sign up for our free HS newsletter
