2025 NFL Draft profile: Texas S Andrew Mukuba

Senior switch Andrew Mukuba is poised to listen to his title known as on the 2025 NFL Draft. After anchoring one of the vital dominant secondaries in school soccer this previous yr for the Texas Longhorns, Mukuba is projected as a consensus third-round decide.

A neighborhood Austin product, Mukuba left Central Texas in favor of Clemson, South Carolina. A Freshman All-American and ACC Defensive Rookie of the 12 months, Mukuba didn’t miss a beat within the transition to varsity soccer. After three years at Clemson, Mukuba made the choice to return residence, becoming a member of the Longhorns for a remaining season in school soccer.

“I felt like I wasn’t getting better,” Mukuba said on Alex Okafor’s ‘Behind the Facemask’ podcast. “I wasn’t being pushed enough where I could reach my potential and my peak.”

The presence of Jahdae Barron and Michael Taaffe, with whom he had educated beneath Bernard “Bam” Blake through the COVID pandemic performed a task, too.

Mukuba slotted in at security with ease, turning into a veteran presence regardless of a brief historical past in burnt orange. In his lone season at Texas, Mukuba totaled 69 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 5 interceptions, and 11 passes defended.

Mukuba’s ball abilities, instincts, and physicality make him a Day Two choice on this yr’s draft. From his security place, Mukuba possesses the attention and athleticism to precisely survey the sphere earlier than making decisive performs. He’s a bodily tackler that isn’t afraid to convey his hat downhill and fill the alley. In protection, Mukuba operates finest when he has the chance to learn the quarterback and react.

He’s additionally performed throughout the secondary throughout his school profession — at Clemson, he performed nickel and free security and labored out at cornerback through the Texas Professional Day.

Whereas he undoubtedly has the mandatory attributes to curiosity NFL coaches, as evidenced by his invite to the NFL Combine, a handful of questions stay about the place precisely Mukuba slots on this yr’s security class.

Groups have expressed concern about how he’ll maintain up in run assist, one thing that was a power in school. Mukuba is undersized by most NFL requirements and infrequently tackled by flying into the legs of ball carriers. Whereas this labored in school, the effectiveness towards NFL operating backs is much less sure.

He’ll have to proceed including to his body whereas enhancing approach and management within the run sport — in truth, after weighing in at 186 on the NFL Mix, Mukuba was 194 on the Texas Professional Day, a weight at which he stated he feels comfy.

As draft day approaches, Mukuba is being speculated as a mid-round decide. His ball abilities, instincts, and athleticism will make him an asset to any secondary group.