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Elite Texas Lineman Heads To Super Bowl Contender

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ryan Harris | Last updated Apr 20, 2025 9:30 AM ET

The Texas Longhorns are one of the top college football schools in producing high-end NFL talent. Most recently they have had a number of top players, like Xavier Worthy, Bryon Murphy II, and Bijan Robinson.

Their draft class this year has some big names, including another blazing wide receiver in Matthew Golden, on top of multiple other projected first round picks.

With the 2025 NFL Draft just a few days away, CBS Sports writer Tom Fornelli has released his final mock draft before the real thing begins on April 24.

Fornelli has the San Francisco 49ers selecting Texas Longhorns offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with the No. 11 pick to help protect the dominant Shanahan offensive scheme.

An expected Kyle Shanahan type pick, in hopes to protect his quarterbacks, which seemingly could be Brock Purdy should they agree to a massive extension.

In Banks' three years at Texas, where every snap was taken at left tackle, he only allowed four sacks and four hits total, a truly dominant career in all of college football.

One of the more unreal stat lines, as he was going up against top competition throughout his entire collegiate career, and was that dominant as a tackle bodes well for his transition to the NFL.

Among Banks Jr. heading to the 49ers, he is joined in the first round by Longhorns defensive back Jadhae Barron, as he will take his talents to the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 17 pick.

The 2025 NFL Draft begins on April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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