2026 NFL Draft Round 1: Rare Shutout for Longhorns and Sooners
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft officially concluded on Thursday, April 23. However, for Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners fans who are accustomed to hearing their alma maters called early on Day 1, this year’s opening round was unusually quiet.
Among the 32 picks in the first round, not a single player from the University of Texas or the University of Oklahoma was selected.
Behind the Rare Shutout
For two traditional powerhouses renowned for producing elite NFL talent, a collective first-round shutout is a rare phenomenon. But this doesn’t necessarily indicate a decline in program prestige; rather, it reflects the natural cycles of talent flow and the positional priorities of this specific draft class.
- Natural Talent Cycles: Texas has experienced a massive exodus of top-tier talent to the NFL over the past couple of years (including several high draft picks last year). The core strength of the current roster heavily relies on young sophomores and juniors, such as Arch Manning and a youthful defense, who are not yet draft-eligible.
- Oklahoma’s Transitional Phase: The Sooners are still stabilizing following coaching transitions and the growing pains of entering the SEC. While their defense has seen significant improvement, they lacked the immediate first-round caliber prospects at the positions most highly valued in this year’s draft (like elite offensive guards and edge rushers).
Looking Ahead to Days 2 and 3
Missing out on the brightest spotlight on Day 1 doesn’t mean these programs lack NFL-ready prospects this year.
As the draft moves into Friday and Saturday (Rounds 2 through 7), expect to hear several Longhorns and Sooners called by NFL franchises.
- Texas: Several offensive linemen and defensive backs with extensive starting experience will be hot commodities on Day 2, valued for their sound technique and experience in high-intensity SEC matchups.
- Oklahoma: The Sooners have developed several defensive linemen and experienced linebackers who have been closely monitored by NFL scouts. They are poised to become solid additions for teams in the third round and beyond.
This first-round absence is merely a small ripple in the long river of talent production. Given both programs’ exceptionally strong recruiting classes over the past two cycles, it is fully expected that the Longhorns and Sooners will make a roaring return to the first round in the 2027 and 2028 NFL Drafts.
