Texas Football All-Time First-Round NFL Draft Picks

Texas has consistently produced elite NFL talent throughout its storied history. 

Few programs have put more players into the league over the course of the last several decades, especially in the first round. A total of 368 Texas players have been selected in the NFL Draft since it began in 1936, which ranks 11th all-time. 

Texas has produced a few of the greatest running backs to ever play the position, led by none other than the legendary Earl Campbell. In addition to his remarkable achievements at Texas, Campbell is 1 of 3 Longhorns to ever be selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft.

Here’s a complete list of all 48 first-round draft picks to come out of Texas:

Texas No. 1 overall draft picks

Texas has produced 3 No. 1 overall draft picks in its storied history. USC has the most all-time with 6. 

Here’s an in-depth look at all 3 No. 1 picks who have come through Austin: 

Tommy Nobis, LB — No. 1 overall, 1966 NFL Draft (Atlanta Falcons)

Nobis was Texas’s first-ever No. 1 overall pick, going in the top spot of the 1966 NFL Draft to the Atlanta Falcons. He spent a decade with Atlanta before retiring after the 1976 season. 

Nobis was the first-ever draft pick for the Falcons, then an expansion franchise. He ended up having a decorated career with Atlanta. His honors included the Rookie of the Year award in 1966 and 5 Pro Bowls. He was also a member of the NFL’s all-decade team for the 1960s. Nobis is a member of the Falcons’ Ring-of-Honor and no player has worn his No. 60 since he retired. 

At Texas, Nobis was a superstar linebacker under legendary coach Darrell Royal. His individual accolades include 2 All-America teams, 3 All-Southwest Conference Teams, the Maxwell Award and the Outland Trophy. He was also a member of Texas’ 1963 national championship team. 

Nobis passed away in December of 2017 at the age of 74. 

Earl Campbell, RB — No. 1 overall, 1978 NFL Draft (Houston Oilers)

Earl Campbell was the top pick in the 1978 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. Campbell lived up to expectations and then some, eventually retiring as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. 

Campbell was a 5-time Pro Bowler, a 3-time All-Pro, a 3-time Offensive Player of the Year and also took home Rookie of the Year honors in 1978. Campbell was named to the NFL’s all-decade team for the 1970s. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at the conclusion of his career as well. 

At Texas, Campbell won the 1977 Heisman Trophy. He became the first Longhorn to win college football’s top individual honor. He was also a multi-time All-American in college and his No. 20 jersey has officially been retired by Texas. 

Today, Campbell is the namesake for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, which is given each season to the top Division I player with ties to the state of Texas. The winner of the award must also exhibit “the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity.” Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon, Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins and Texas’s D’Onta Foreman are recent winners of the award. 

Oct 8, 1977; Dallas, TX, USA FILE PHOTO; Texas Longhorns running back Earl Campbell (20) carries the ball against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Kenneth Sims, DE — No. 1 overall, 1982 NFL Draft (New England Patriots)

Kenneth Sims was the top pick in the 1982 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. Although his NFL career was marred by injuries, Sims was highly-productive as a college player with the Longhorns. 

He was a 2-time All-America selection, earning unanimous honors in 1981. He was also a 2-time Longhorn Football MVP award winner and took home the Lombardi Award in 1981 as well. He was later inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1991. 

Sims retired from the NFL after the 1989 campaign. Because of various injuries, he was limited to just 1 full season in the league. He played in double-digit games in just 4 of his 8 NFL seasons. He retired with 17 career sacks, 9 of which came during his peak in 1984-85.  

Other notable picks 

Ricky Williams, RB — No. 5 overall, 1999 NFL Draft (New Orleans Saints)

Williams was Texas’s second (and still the most recent) Heisman Trophy winner. He won the award in 1998 after he rushed for 2,327 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior in Austin. 

He was later selected with the No. 5 overall pick of the 1999 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Williams played for 3 NFL franchises in what was a somewhat-chaotic pro career, but he was exceptionally productive. He finished his pro career with 10,000 yards and is one of just 31 players all-time to clear the 10,000-yard threshold in NFL history. 

Vince Young, QB — No. 3 overall, 2006 NFL Draft (Tennessee Titans)

Along with Colt McCoy, Vince Young is arguably the most consequential Texas player of the last quarter century. After leading Texas to a national championship victory at the end of the 2005 season, Young was drafted No. 3 overall by the Tennessee Titans the following spring. 

Young’s NFL career got off to a good start with him earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2006. However, he lasted just 6 seasons in the NFL (5 with the Titans and 1 with the Philadelphia Eagles). He was a 2-time Pro Bowler and finished third in voting for the Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2009 after he led the Titans to an 8-2 record in 10 starts. 

Texas quarterback Vince Young outruns the Southern California defense for the game-winning touchdown in the 2006 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Credit: Robert Hanashiro.

Bijan Robinson, RB — No. 8 overall, 2023 NFL Draft (Atlanta Falcons)

Bijan Robinson is Texas’s most-recent top-10 selection. He went No. 8 overall to the Atlanta Falcons in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Robinson had a standout career at Texas, rushing for 3,410 yards over 3 seasons. He left the program ranked No. 4 all-time in rushing yards behind only Ricky Williams, Cedric Benson and Earl Campbell. Robinson also won the Doak Walker Award and was a unanimous All-American in 2022. 

Robinson has played just 1 year in the NFL, but has quickly established himself as an elite all-around running back. As a rookie in 2023, he rushed for 976 yards and went for 487 more through the air. He scored 8 total touchdowns (4 rushing, 4 receiving) as well. 

Spenser Davis

Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.