T'Vondre Sweat, Byron Murphy among Texas football players at Thursday's NFL combine
With the interviews over and medicals examinations finished, Texas' school-record 11 football players at the NFL scouting combine can now focus on their on-field workouts, which start today and runs through Sunday.
Up first in Indianapolis: defensive linemen and linebackers.
The NFL Network will air all the workouts live, beginning at 2 p.m. Here's what each Longhorn participating in today’s workouts needs to do in order to enhance his draft status:
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Byron Murphy II, defensive tackle
The 6-foot-1, 308-pounder has shot up the draft boards and into the first round conversation with his combination of explosiveness and power. He’ll do fine in any agility drills because of his quick feet, but a strong showing in the bench press will alleviate any concerns about his size.
T’Vondre Sweat, defensive tackle
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 362 pounds on the Texas roster this past season, Sweat said Wednesday that playing around 365 pounds “is where I’m comfortable at.” If the Outland Trophy winner checks in at a similar weight, that will likely ease some worries about a player projected as a second- or third-round pick. If he added a few pounds, teams may wonder about his offseason discipline.
Jaylan Ford, linebacker
Size and productivity aren’t an issue for the 6-foot-3, 245-pounder, who earned two all-conference selections at Texas. But short-area quickness is a concern, which makes drills such as the 20-yard shuttle and 3-cone especially important if Ford wants to move up from his projected mid- to late-round selection.
Longhorns at the NFL combine
Thursday's workouts/drills: Defensive linemen and linebackers — DT Byron Murphy II, DT T'Vondre Sweat, LB Jaylan Ford
Friday: Defensive backs and tight ends — TE Ja'Tavion Sanders, CB Ryan Watts
Saturday: Quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers — WR Adonai Mitchell, WR Xavier Worthy, RB Jonathon Brooks (not working out), WR Jordan Whittington, RB Keilan Robinson
Sunday: Offensive linemen — OT Christian Jones
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas football's T'Vondre Sweat, Byron Murphy at today's NFL Combine