Texas Professional Athletes

Texas alumni are having a banner week in the NFL — one's on the move, one's being floated as the league's best player, and one is staking a claim to a starting job. Hook 'em.

Ewers Finds a New Home in Jacksonville

Quinn Ewers' NFL odyssey took another turn this week when the Miami Dolphins shipped him to the Jacksonville Jaguars just ahead of the preseason cut deadline. The return: a Day 3 pick in the 2028 NFL Draft — modest compensation that reflects an underwhelming training camp performance in Miami. Ewers slides in as a backup behind Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville, a far cry from the starting aspirations that followed him out of Austin. It's a reset, not a retirement — but the former five-star recruit will need to make the most of a depth role if he wants to stick.

Robinson's Case for No. 1

Bijan Robinson doesn't just have a case to be the NFL's best running back — he's being discussed as the best player in the league, full stop. The Atlanta Falcons superstar racked up an NFL-best 2,298 scrimmage yards in 2025, earning first-team All-Pro honors and vaulting from No. 62 on last year's top-100 lists into the conversation for the top spot. That kind of trajectory is rare for any position, let alone running back.

The accolades aren't stopping at the pro level. Robinson's high school alma mater, Salpointe Catholic in Arizona, announced it will retire his number — a fitting honor for a player who rushed for 7,036 yards and scored 114 total touchdowns during his prep career and set Arizona state records before ever setting foot on the Forty Acres. From Tucson to Austin to Atlanta, Robinson's football arc has been one for the books.

Mitchell Ready to Ball Out in New York

Adonai Mitchell is heading into his second NFL season with a defined role and rising expectations. The former Longhorn wideout is set to open 2026 as Geno Smith's No. 2 wide receiver with the New York Jets, forming what he's described as an "explosive" tandem alongside Garrett Wilson. The two have been building chemistry throughout training camp, and the Jets are clearly counting on Mitchell to complement their top target and take pressure off an offense that needs playmakers to emerge.

It's a significant step for Mitchell, who now enters a market and a spotlight that will demand production — not just potential. If the connection with Wilson and Smith translates to the regular season, the Jets could have one of the more dangerous receiver duos in the AFC.

Around the Horn

Elsewhere among Texas alumni, Jets pass rusher Joseph Ossai exited Friday's preseason game with a foot injury in his first action of the preseason — a concern worth monitoring as the regular season approaches. Meanwhile, Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue totaled 75 rushing yards in Dallas's 34-13 preseason win over the Cardinals, a solid audition for a team still sorting out its backfield depth. And Sam Ehlinger, now with the Broncos, connected with Justin Joly for an 88-yard touchdown in Denver's preseason game against Minnesota — a highlight-reel moment for the former Texas starter turned journeyman backup.

Texas alumni are scattered across the NFL roster bubble and highlight reels this preseason, and the week of Aug. 16–22 offered a full range of outcomes — from franchise-caliber brilliance to roster-threatening chaos.

Quinn Ewers Is Running Out of Time in Miami

It has been an ugly stretch for the former Longhorns signal-caller. Ewers went 1-for-8 in his preseason debut for the Dolphins — a performance so rough that his standing on the Miami depth chart is now a genuine question. Things got worse from there: Ewers suffered a groin injury in the Dolphins' preseason loss to the Commanders, prompting the team to bring quarterback Mark Gronowski back to the roster almost immediately. He is expected to miss time.

The broader picture is grim. Reports describe Ewers' training camp as "disastrous," and with a groin injury now layered on top of his struggles, the path to a 53-man roster spot has narrowed considerably. Ewers entered the preseason as a developmental backup with upside; right now, he looks like a cut candidate.

Bijan Robinson Is Built Different — Literally

While Ewers stumbles, Bijan Robinson is doing what he does: making defenders look foolish. The Falcons' star running back has been turning heads in Atlanta camp, and he recently shed light on exactly how he maintains those famously elusive feet. Robinson says he studies film of NBA star Kyrie Irving and soccer players from the World Cup to sharpen his footwork and lateral agility — translating elite cross-sport movement into NFL carries.

It's an unconventional approach that reflects the kind of obsessive craft that separates Robinson from the pack. He enters the 2026 season as one of the most complete backs in football, and if camp is any indication, he hasn't lost a step.

Sweat and Ossai Energize a Rebuilt Jets Defense

Two Longhorns are at the center of what could be one of the league's most intriguing defensive makeovers. T'Vondre Sweat and Joseph Ossai have both flashed promise early for a Jets unit desperate to shed its recent failures — a defense that finished 29th against the run, 31st in sacks, and produced a league-worst four takeaways last season.

Sweat, the massive nose tackle, brings the interior disruption New York desperately lacked. Ossai, the edge rusher, adds the kind of speed and pass-rush upside the Jets have been chasing. The early returns have been encouraging enough that there's genuine belief within the locker room that this group is different. Whether that belief holds into the regular season remains to be seen, but both Texas products are providing early fuel for the optimism.

Ojomo Drawing Attention in Philadelphia

Eagles defensive tackle Moro Ojomo is quietly generating buzz in Philadelphia — though not all of it is flattering. He was recently asked to answer for his involvement in a fight during camp, per an Eagles notebook from Yahoo Sports. Still, the broader storyline is one of opportunity: with teammate Milton Williams serving as a blueprint for how an interior lineman can earn a big payday out of Philadelphia, Ojomo is reportedly using that model as motivation.

Whether Ojomo can channel that energy into production during the preseason will go a long way toward determining his role — and his next contract — in Philly.

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From Robinson's cross-sport film study to Ewers' mounting injury woes, Texas alumni are impossible to ignore this preseason. The Longhorns have long supplied NFL rosters; this week, they're supplying the headlines too.

Texas alumni made noise across the NFL this preseason week — from a jaw-dropping pick-six to a quarterback's rough debut, a brawl that required the GM's intervention, and a pass-rusher finally cleared to practice.

Jahdae Barron Steals the Show in Denver

The week's highlight reel belonged to Broncos cornerback Jahdae Barron. The former Longhorn hauled in a deflected pass and returned it 98 yards for a pick-six against the Atlanta Falcons, one of the most electric plays of the early preseason. It was a showcase moment for a player looking to carve out a meaningful role in Denver's secondary — and a reminder that Texas corners can ball in the pros.

Adding a quirky footnote to the Broncos' week: safety Brandon Jones went 3-for-4 filling in for kicker Wil Lutz at training camp while Lutz attended Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame induction. Jones is a defensive back. That's how training camp goes.

Quinn Ewers' Rocky Miami Debut

If Barron's moment was the high, Quinn Ewers' preseason debut was the low. The former Texas signal-caller, now competing for a roster spot with the Miami Dolphins, struggled badly enough in his first outing that FanSided's assessment was blunt: "If the goal was to look like the worst QB on the field, then Quinn Ewers succeeded." Ewers was a celebrated recruit and a Heisman-adjacent talent in Austin, but early returns in Miami suggest his path to an NFL career will be steep. One game doesn't define a career — but it doesn't help, either.

Ojomo's Training Camp Brawl

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Moro Ojomo found himself in the middle of one of the week's biggest camp stories — and not for a sack. Ojomo got into a full-blown brawl with offensive tackle Fred Johnson at Eagles training camp, a confrontation serious enough that head coach Nick Sirianni, chief security officer Dom DiSandro ("Big Dom"), and general manager Howie Roseman all had to step in to help calm things down. Reports indicated Roseman and DiSandro focused particularly on settling Johnson after the melee. Training camp fights happen, but few escalate to the point where the GM is physically involved.

Ossai Back on the Field for New York

Jets defensive end Joseph Ossai got good news this week: he was activated off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Ossai, who signed with New York in March after four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, had been placed on the Active/PUP list on July 28. Getting him back on the practice field is a meaningful development for a Jets pass rush still trying to establish its identity. Teammate Adonai Mitchell is also generating buzz in camp, with reports pointing to potential breakout-season upside for the wide receiver.

Worthy Headlining Kansas City Questions

In Kansas City, Xavier Worthy is front and center in the biggest questions surrounding the Chiefs heading into 2026. Yahoo Sports' season preview framed the Worthy-and-Rashee-Rice receiver duo as a central storyline: can both bounce back and give Patrick Mahomes the weapons he needs to keep the dynasty rolling? Worthy's speed made him a first-round pick and an immediate contributor — but the pressure is on to take another step in Year 2.

Five Longhorns, five distinct stories. Texas alumni are anything but boring in August.

Bijan Robinson just cashed the biggest check in running back history — and the Longhorn Nation is celebrating right alongside him.

The former Texas star and Atlanta Falcons running back signed a three-year, $75 million contract extension this week, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. The deal includes $51 million in guaranteed money, setting a new benchmark for the position and sending ripples across the entire league.

Robinson didn't just earn it with a pen — he earned it on the field. The ex-Longhorn led the entire NFL with 2,298 yards from scrimmage in 2025, a season that left Atlanta with little choice but to lock him up. Head coach Kevin Stefanski described Robinson as "beyond eager" to return to action after the deal was finalized, a sentiment Robinson made clear himself when he took over the Falcons' social media account to deliver a direct message to fans.

Money, Loyalty, and a Text from McConaughey

The contract story had layers beyond the dollar figures. Robinson, who was reportedly holding out ahead of training camp, made clear this wasn't purely a business decision. "It's one of my dreams to stay with one team," he said after signing, framing the extension as a statement of loyalty to Atlanta rather than simply a market correction.

The celebration reached back to Austin quickly — Robinson revealed he received a congratulatory text from none other than Texas superfan Matthew McConaughey shortly after inking the deal. Some things are bigger than football.

Robinson also disclosed that Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs offered advice and support during the contract talks, calling Gibbs someone who "deserves it all" as the Lions' star navigates his own extension negotiations. Robinson's deal has already reshaped the running back market: Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts quickly agreed to a two-year, $44 million extension in the wake of the news, with Taylor's deal checking in just behind Robinson's record figure.

The Falcons' Bigger Question

Atlanta's front office deserves credit for committing to its core — the Falcons have now handed significant extensions to four young foundational players this year, with Robinson's deal the crown jewel. But CBS Sports noted the elephant still in the room: Atlanta has invested heavily at skill positions while the quarterback situation remains unresolved. Spending $75 million on a running back is a statement of confidence — though in what, exactly, is still being debated in league circles.

Worthy Watching in Kansas City

While Robinson dominated the headlines, another Longhorn drew attention for different reasons. Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy suffered a scary exit during a training camp practice this week, though The Sporting News reported he received an encouraging update afterward. Worthy, coming off an injury-plagued rookie season, had been generating buzz in camp — coaches were raving about his speed and his potential partnership with Patrick Mahomes entering year two. The hope in Kansas City is that this week's scare proves to be a minor one.

For Texas alumni watching across the league, it was a week defined by Robinson's landmark moment — a reminder that the pipeline from Austin to the NFL remains as strong as ever.