Below are local high school football players who joined NFL teams during the NFL Draft or as undrafted free agents.
This story will be updated as more players sign.
North Texas players selected on the third day of the draft.
TEs Jatavion Sanders, Denton Ryan: 4th round draft, pick 101, Carolina
– The former Texas Longhorns star enjoyed a dominant college career, setting the program's all-time record for catches by a tight end with 99 receptions in three seasons. Sanders was the sixth Texas player selected in the draft, joining Byron Murphy, Xavier Worthy, Tyvondre Sweat, Jonathan Brooks and Adonai Mitchell.
LB Jaylan Ford, Frisco Lone Star: Drafted by New Orleans in the 5th round, 175th pick.
– The New Orleans Saints selected the former Longhorns linebacker in the fifth round. Ford, a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2022 and 2023, led Texas with 101 tackles last season.
RB Jace McClellan, Aledo: Drafted by Atlanta in the 6th round, 186th pick.
-The former Aledo star became even more famous during his time at Alabama and will now join former Longhorns star Bijan Robinson in Atlanta's backfield. McClellan was a star recruit in the Dallas area and attracted interest from many top programs during his productive high school career. He initially committed to Oklahoma, but then transferred to the Crimson Tide.
DB Ryan Watts, Little Elm: Drafted by Pittsburgh in the 6th round, 195th pick.
– The Steelers continued to draft the Longhorns, months removed from the College Football Playoff. The Little Elm product spent two years at Texas State after transferring from Ohio State University. He played in 24 games (23 starts) and was named honorable mention All-Big 12 in 2022.
The North Texas player was drafted in the first three rounds.
– Seattle Seahawks select Texas Longhorns DT Byron Murphy II in the first round of the NFL Draft
– A dream come true: See photos from former DeSoto, Texas star Byron Murphy's draft party
– Duncanville's Ennis Rakestraw Jr., selected by the Lions in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
– Washington Commanders select TCU OL Brandon Coleman in third round of NFL Draft
A dream come true: See photos from former DeSoto, Texas star Byron Murphy's draft party
See more of The Dallas Morning News' high school sports coverage here.
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