NFL draft declarations beginning for Texas Longhorns with Banks, Blue, Conner

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Three key players for the Texas Longhorns offense declared for the NFL draft on Sunday, and more are expected to in the coming days.

Kelvin Banks Jr., Jaydon Blue and Hayden Conner all said via social media Sunday they are foregoing their remaining college eligibility and entering the professional football ranks.

ESPN ranks Banks as the No. 2 offensive tackle and No. 14 overall draft prospect after another All-American season with Texas. Banks won the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award, helping the Longhorns get to the College Football Playoff semifinals for the second consecutive year. Banks started as a true freshman with 42 career starts for the Longhorns in three seasons.

"I want to thank Coach Sark and Coach Flood for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to fulfill my childhood dreams of playing on the biggest stage in college football," Banks said in an Instagram post. "To my teammates, thank you for pushing me to be my best every day. I wouldn't be the player or person I am today without each of you."

247Sports rated Banks as a 5-star recruit coming out of Humble Summer Creek High School in the 2022 recruiting class. He was the No. 30 overall recruit in the nation, No. 3 nationally at offensive tackle and No. 7 in Texas. He's projected to be the first-round draft pick in April's NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

"I will always bleed burnt orange and cherish the memories I've made here," Banks said. "Thank you, Longhorn Nation, for everything. I look forward to representing Texas proudly in the next chapter of my journey. Hook 'em."

Conner played left tackle alongside Banks with 43 starts in 51 games in four seasons. ESPN ranks him as the No. 5 offensive guard prospect in the 2025 draft. Conner and Banks helped the Longhorns' offensive line become a finalist for the 2024 Joe Moore Award which honors the best offensive line in the country.

He said in a post on X that "the past four years have been the best of my life." 247Sports rated Conner as a 3-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class out of Katy Taylor High School.

Blue's elite speed and explosive playmaking ability were on full display whenever he was on the field, thanks in part to the blocking of Banks and Conner. He rushed for more than 100 yards twice this season, most notably in the College Football Playoff first round against Clemson when he rambled for 146 yards on 14 carries, including a 77-yard touchdown run. He rushed for 124 yards on 25 carries against Louisiana-Monroe and 96 yards on 15 carries against Kentucky. He scored eight rushing touchdowns while racking up 730 yards on 134 carries.

Blue is also a terrific pass catcher out of the backfield, hauling in two scores from Quinn Ewers in the CFP semifinals at the Cotton Bowl Classic. He caught six touchdowns this season with 42 receptions for 368 yards, resulting in 1,098 scrimmage yards.

247Sports rated Blue as a 4-star recruit in the 2022 recruiting class out of Klein Cain High School.

"I've been surrounded by incredible teammates, coaches and staff who pushed me to the best version of myself both on and off the field," Blue said in a post on X. "I'm beyond proud to be a Longhorn and represent this legendary program."