Texas football cornerback Malik Muhammad could be one of the first Longhorns to hear his name called Friday.
The North Texas native had a year of eligibility left, but he declared for the NFL draft in December. Muhammad will now look to find an NFL team one year after fellow Texas defensive backs Jahdae Barron and Andrew Mukuba were both taken within the first two rounds of that year’s draft. Texas, though, has only had seven of its defensive backs drafted over the previous 10 years.
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Muhammad, a four-star high school recruit, became a mainstay in the UT secondary. He earned a starting job as a freshman and started 22 straight games at one point. Here’s what to expect of him as he heads to the NFL:
Texas Longhorns defensive back Malik Muhammad (5) reacts after a play during the Longhorns’ game against the Florida Gators, Nov. 9, 2024 at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.
Mikala Compton/American-Statesman
Malik Muhammmad bio
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Notes: Started 29 career games with his first start coming in the 2023 Big 12 Championship Game… intercepted two passes against Oklahoma in 2025, and scored on a blocked punt against the Sooners in 2023… was a second-team honoree on the 2025 All-SEC team… recorded 19 pass deflections between 2023-25. … cousin of Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Jabbar Muhammad.
Read more: Texas trusts cornerback Malik Muhammad
Malik Muhammad positional rankings
PFF:No. 105 prospect overall, No. 15 CB
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CBS: No. 93 overall, No. 13 CB
Malik Muhammad draft profile
Arm length: 32 3/8 inches
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Hand size: 9 7/8 inches
40-yard dash: 4.42 seconds
10-yard split: 1.51 seconds
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Broad jump: 10 feet, 10 inches
Texas Longhorns defensive back Malik Muhammad (5) makes a tackle against Texas A&M Aggies long snapper Gray Evans (40) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in the Lone Star Showdown in Austin, Texas, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.
Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman
Malik Muhammad scouting report
Strengths: Projected as an outside cornerback… Has big-game experience having started in four playoff games… according to PFF, Muhammad allowed just two receptions of more than 30 yards over his 41 games at Texas… was targeted more than four times by just Oklahoma during the 2025 season, and he recorded a career-high two interceptions in that game.
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More: DB Malik Muhammad says interceptions are overrated even after picks vs OU
Weaknesses: Only intercepted three passes in college… according to PFF, Muhammad missed over 15% of his attempted tackles and did not force a fumble over this time with the Longhorns… Muhammad’s PFF grade actually decreased each season he was at Texas.
What our reporter noticed: If NFL scouts want to look at Muhammad’s tape, the 2025 Ohio State game will be placed first in the VCR. Muhammad held his own against a receiving corps that included future first-round picks Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, didn’t allow any explosive plays and had a breakup on a third-down pass thrown Smith’s way, but he also had a key defensive holding penalty in the 14-7 loss. Muhammad’s stats were not incredible, but he allowed only three passing touchdowns at Texas.
NFL player comps:Marcus Peters (NFLdraftbuzz.com)
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Malik Muhammad stats by season
2023:14 games, 31 tackles, 1 interception, 5 passes defensed, 78.5 PFF grade
2024:16 games, 36 tackles, 0 interceptions, 8 passes defensed, 71.7 PFF grade
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2025: 11 games, 30 tackles, 2 interceptions, 6 passes defensed, 70.8 PFF grade