Sarkisian is proud of the talent he built at Texas.
Three Texas Longhorns heard their names called Thursday night, as offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., defensive back Jahdae Barron and wide receiver Matthew Golden were selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian was active on social media throughout the night, offering congratulations to his former players. He later shared more reflections on each player’s journey and what made them special.
Sarkisian praised Banks as the ideal Longhorn, citing his work ethic, consistency and immediate impact.
“I’ve said this all along, I would tell any player coming into our program, if you want to be great, be like Kelvin Banks,” Sarkisian said. “His demeanor, his drive, his attention to detail—it all shows in his play. He started at left tackle for us from the day he arrived and never flinched, even against top competition like Alabama’s Will Anderson and Dallas Turner in just his second career start.”
Sarkisian added that Banks’ reliability, measurables and room for continued growth made him an easy first-round selection.
DB Jahdae Barron, Denver Broncos
Barron’s development and versatility stood out to Sarkisian, who noted how Barron’s role evolved during his time in Austin.
“When we first got here, he was playing nickel, then transitioned to cornerback in our base defense and played multiple roles—safety, dime linebacker,” Sarkisian said. “He has a high football IQ, great instincts, and physicality. Jahdae can blitz, tackle, cover, and identify route combinations. He just makes plays.”
Barron’s Thorpe Award recognition, Sarkisian said, reflected the results of his hard work and adaptability.
Golden, who transferred to Texas from Houston, showed impressive growth throughout the season, Sarkisian said.
“He came from more of an air raid system, so the transition wasn’t as easy, but he became our most productive and reliable receiver,” Sarkisian said. “His speed, short-area quickness, strong hands, and ability to make contested catches at all three levels set him apart.”
Beyond his athleticism, Sarkisian emphasized Golden’s toughness and team-first mentality.
“He’s tough, no-nonsense, and does the dirty work blocking linebackers, safeties and defensive backs,” Sarkisian said. “Green Bay is going to love him.”
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