Texas Stars Declare for NFL Draft After Stellar SEC Debut Season
The Texas Longhorns wasted no time establishing themselves as a powerhouse in their first year in the SEC, finishing with an impressive 13-3 record and a 7-1 conference mark. Their remarkable run ended in the College Football Playoff semifinals with a 28-14 loss to the eventual champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes.
As the season wrapped up, some of Texas’ brightest talents announced their decisions to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, marking the end of an era for several key contributors. Among them is standout tight end Gunnar Helm, who bid farewell to Longhorn Nation after four years with the program. Helm shared his gratitude on social media, saying, “Thank you, Texas.”
Helm’s journey with Texas began in 2021 when he redshirted his freshman year. The following season, he made his on-field debut, recording five receptions for 44 yards. Over three active seasons, Helm evolved into a reliable target, amassing 79 receptions for 1,022 yards and nine touchdowns. The bulk of his production came in 2024, further solidifying his draft stock.

Here’s the list of Texas players who have declared for the 2025 NFL Draft so far:
- Gunnar Helm (TE)
- Quinn Ewers (QB)
- Kelvin Banks (OT)
- Cameron Williams (OT)
- Matthew Golden (WR)
- Isaiah Bond (WR)
- Vernon Broughton (DL)
- Jaydon Blue (RB)
With so much talent heading to the next level, the Longhorns’ 2025 season will bring challenges as they look to reload. Still, the program’s dominance in its SEC debut signals a bright future ahead.