5 reasons why Philadelphia should be excited about drafting Longhorns DB Andrew Mukuba
5 reasons why Philadelphia should be excited about drafting Longhorns DB Andrew Mukuba
Andrew Mukuba is now a Philadelphia Eagle The former Longhorns defensive back was picked 64th in the second round of the NFL Draft. Mukuba is the 5th Texas Ex taken in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Here are five reasons the Eagles should be excited to have Mukuba on their roster:
Desire to Improve
Mukuba left his hometown of Austin for Clemson after high school. The DB spent three seasons in South Carolina, earning Freshman All-American and ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. But something was missing. Mukuba didn't think he was getting any better.
'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.'
In his one season at Texas, Mukuba totaled 69 tackles, four tackles for loss, five interceptions, and 11 passes defended.
Good Reads
At safety, Mukuba showed awareness and athleticism to accurately survey the field before making decisive plays. He operates best when he has the opportunity to read the quarterback and react.
Versatility
Mukuba has played across the secondary during his college career. He has played nickel and free safety and worked out at cornerback during the Texas Pro Day.
Physicality
While the Austin native excels at the mental aspect of the game, he's also very physical. A physical tackler, Mukuba isn't afraid to get downhill and fill the alley.
Follow us on X/Twitter at @LonghornsWire.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Abbotsford Canucks Penalty Kill Must Step Up In Crucial Game 6 Versus The Texas Stars
The Abbotsford Canucks are one win away from history. If they can defeat the Texas Stars on Sunday, they will punch their ticket to the 2025 Calder Cup Final. While Abbotsford has had a strong series so far, one area that needs improving is their penalty kill, which has been problematic over the past three games. Entering into the Western Conference Final, the Canucks penalty kill was almost unbeatable. They allowed only one goal in the first three rounds and, at one point, killed off 30 straight power plays. Flash forward to this series, and Abbotsford has allowed four goals in five games while posting a kill percentage of just 75%. Advertisement The Canucks penalty kill issues started in Game 3 when the series shifted to Texas. All four goals against have come on the road, with Game 3 featuring not just two failed penalty kills, but also two shorthanded goals allowed. While it was unlikely that Abbotsford was going to keep operating at over 95% on the penalty kill through the entire post-season, their inability to stop the Stars' power play over the last three games has become an issue. One factor that could be impacting the Canucks penalty kill is the amount of penalties they are taking. Through the five games, Abbotsford has been shorthanded 16 times, with 11 of those coming on the road. While it may seem like a simple statement, the Canucks need to find a way to stay out of the box, as they are giving Texas too many power play chances on a nightly basis. Latest From THN's Vancouver Canucks Site: Vancouver Canucks Draft Class Throwback: 2022 Advertisement Vancouver Canucks 2025 NHL Draft Target: Braeden Cootes How Former Vancouver Canuck Vasily Podkolzin Went From Scoring Droughts To The Stanley Cup Finals The good news for Abbotsford is that the final two games of this series are at home, where they are a perfect 28 for 28 on the penalty kill. That being said, they may need to switch up their strategy, as it is clear that the Stars have found ways to expose the Canucks penalty killers. In the end, if Abbotsford wants to punch their ticket to the Calder Cup Final, their penalty kill will need to come up big on Sunday in Game 6. Abbotsford Canucks vs Texas Stars (Photo Credit: @TheAHL on Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Texas Attracting Relatives of NFL and NBA Stars is Raising Eyebrows Across College Football
Texas Attracting Relatives of NFL and NBA Stars is Raising Eyebrows Across College Football originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Whether fans are ready or not, the next wave of athletes has a high chance of making one feel old. Advertisement The athletes that many of us grew up watching now have children set to hit the college or professional ranks. While these players are scattered throughout the country, there seems to be a hotbed forming in Austin, Texas, at the most important position in football. Following the departure of Quinn Ewers, who was drafted in the seventh round with the 231st overall pick by the Miami Dolphins, the Longhorns will turn to former five-star and No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class, Arch Manning. Although he has two starts under his belt, fans have long been clamoring for the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning to take over. While the Manning name has plenty of notoriety, the Texas quarterback room has a chance to be headlined by the son of a former pro athlete for years to come. The Longhorns hold a commitment from 2026 five-star Dia Bell, the son of former Phoenix Suns star and two-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection, Raja Bell. They are also in the mix for a 2027 four-star Gunner Rivers, who is the son of eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback, Philip Rivers. Advertisement With Steve Sarkisian and Texas having a chance to obtain so much potential star power with famous relatives, fans online are taking notice. "Which would be indicative of NFL QBs believing in Sark's QB development," pointed out one fan. "That'd be insane," said another. "I sense a pattern there 🤔," suspected a third. Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning takes the field before his team's College Football Playoff game against the Clemson Tigers at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Dec. 21, Miron-Imagn Images As it stands, Rivers doesn't hold an offer from the Longhorns, but the No. 1 player in Alabama did recently attend a camp. "My first time here, it went well, enjoyed, and good talking to all the coaches," Gunner Rivers told On3 about his Longhorns visit. "I had a great time." This past season for St. Michael Catholic, he threw for 3,927 yards and 36 touchdowns, leading his team to the semifinals of Alabama's 4A playoffs. As for Bell, he threw for 2,597 yards with 29 touchdowns while leading American Heritage to a 9-2 record before he suffered a season-ending injury in the playoffs. Advertisement While there's a chance this quarterback succession of relatives of former pros doesn't happen, Texas is clearly on track to attract the biggest names for years to come. Related: Rule of Legendary NFL Coach May Prevent Arch Manning From Entering 2026 NFL Draft This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
How Georgia Teammates Continue To Reach New Heights With Eagles
How Georgia Teammates Continue To Reach New Heights With Eagles originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman had a plan to rebuild his once-struggling defense. Instead of signing top-priced free agent talent, he chose to target defensive players from one of the greatest football schools in the country. … Advertisement The two-time National Champion Georgia Bulldogs. In the last five seasons, Philadelphia has taken Georgia players in almost every draft. Top guys like Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith, Kelee Ringo, Nakobe Dean, and Smael Mondon Jr. have all been brought here to build the kind of championship mentality they developed in college. After their first Super Bowl together in February, those same Bulldogs are looking for further excellence as well. And the clearest example came from Jordan Davis during voluntary workouts. The former first-round defensive tackle explained how he was learning how to be a better pass rusher thanks to teammate Nolan Smith. Advertisement '(Nolan) Smith has been teaching me things. When it's just stuff like that, learning stuff from different players and coaches, they want you to be your best at pass rush," Davis said. "They want you. They expect that from you." Smith, in his own right, has spoken out about how important players like Davis and Carter have been to his own production. It is clear that the former Bulldogs are all looking out for each other. That has helped the Eagles reach new heights on defense. And the entire group seems to be ready to achieve a new level as defending Super Bowl champions as well. Related: Eagles Predicted To Have Two 'Sleeper' MVP Candidates Related: Eagles Players Throw Their Support Behind Coach Vic Fangio This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
