The annual IT player draft: Battling to create the best starting 22 from the Texas Longhorns

Who remembers the Inside Texas player draft? 

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An IT tradition that’s been around a decade but hasn’t been active in several years, it started in 2015 when Eric and Ian drafted a starting 22 from the available roster. The teams were interesting to say the least. Taylor Doyle was the sixth overall pick for Ian. Eric took Jacorey Warrick in the same round. 

In 2016, I took over for Ian and had a nice start to the draft with Malik Jefferson, Connor Williams, Chris Warren, and Holton Hill. But after Eric took Shane Buechele, I overdrafted Tyrone Swoopes at six.

The 2017 edition added the intrigue of Sam Ehlinger to the mix. Eric took Buechele again, meaning I could save the pick of Ehlinger to No. 22.

We don’t need to talk about how poorly I drafted in 2018.

In 2019, Ehlinger got the all-time quarterback nod as Joseph Ossai ended up being a steal in round six.

Then, the draft went on a hiatus. In 2025, it’s back.

This time, I’ll be drafting against @evanvieth. There are a couple of rules.

• Arch Manning is the all-time quarterback for both teams
• You can draft whatever for whatever personnel packages you want

There’s also strategy that you’ll see play out as the picks roll in. If a top WR goes early, how soon is too soon to take one of the possible co-starters? Do you think about 21 personnel? 12 personnel? 10 personnel?

Here are the results of the draft.

Vieth
1. EDGE Colin Simmons
2. LB Anthony Hill
3. TE Jack Endries
4. DB Malik Muhammad
5. S Michael Taaffe
6. WR DeAndre Moore
7. RB Tre Wisner
8. OL Cole Hutson
9. OL Neto Umeozulu
10. DB Jaylon Guilbeau
11. RB CJ Baxter
12. WR Emmett Mosley V
13. CB Kobe Black
14. LB Liona Lefau
15. OL Connor Robertson
16. DB Jordon Johnson-Rubell
17. OT Nick Brooks
18. OL Connor Stroh
19. EDGE Brad Spence
20. DT Hero Kanu
21. DT Travis Shaw

Cook
1. LT Trevor Goosby
2. DB Jelani McDonald
3. WR Ryan Wingo
4. OG DJ Campbell
5. WR Parker Livingstone
6. LB Trey Moore
7. OT Brandon Baker
8. DT Maraad Watson
9. S Derek Williams
10. DB Graceson Littleton
11. EDGE Ethan Burke
12. WR Daylan McCutcheon
13. EDGE Colton Vasek
14. OL Jaydon Chatman
15. DT Cole Brevard
16. CB Warren Roberson
17. TE Jordan Washington
18. LB Ty’Anthony Smith
19. DB Wardell Mack
20. RB Christian Clark
21. OL Nate Kibble

Vieth on the field

QB Arch Manning
RB CJ Baxter
RB Quintrevion Wisner
WR Emmett Mosley V
WR DeAndre Moore
TE Jack Endries
LT Neto Umeozulu
LG Connor Stroh
OC Connor Robertson
RG Cole Hutson
RT Nick Brooks

EDGE Colin Simmons
EDGE Brad Spence
DT Travis Shaw
DT Hero Kanu
LB Anthony Hill
LB Liona Lefau
CB Malik Muhammad
CB Kobe Black
Star Jaylon Guilbeau
S Michael Taaffe
S Jordon Johnson-Rubell

Cook on the field

QB Arch Manning
RB Christian Clark
TE Jordan Washington
WR Ryan Wingo
WR Parker Livingstone
WR Daylan McCutcheon
LT Trevor Goosby
LG DJ Campbell
OC Jaydon Chatman
RG Nate Kibble
RT Brandon Baker

EDGE Ethan Burke
EDGE Colton Vasek
DT Maraad Watson
DT Cole Brevard
LB Trey Moore
LB Ty’Anthony Smith
CB Warren Roberson
CB Wardell Mack
Star Graceson Littleton
S Derek Williams
S Jelani McDonald

Who won? Sound off on the Inside Texas Members Only Board!