Texas Longhorns Insider: Looking at the Longhorns' 2011 NFL Draft Prospects

We have come to that time of the year again—another year, another NFL draft.  The 2011 NFL Scouting Combine is in full swing in Indianapolis and many college players from all across the country are showing up, seeking to show NFL scouts what they are made of and why or why not they should be drafted. 

The Longhorns are sending several players to the combine, and hopes are high that these guys will not only get drafted, but drafted high.

The following is a quick look at the players from the Longhorns that are participating in the combine this weekend, and where they currently stand heading towards the 2011 NFL Draft.

There will be a post-combine update on these players later on in the week. 

Sam Acho, DE

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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 25: Running back Cyrus Gray #32 of Texas A&M holds off University of Texas defensive end Sam Acho #81 during the second half at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2010 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Darren Carroll/

Acho’s combine numbers haven’t come in yet, but he’s sure to raise a lot of eyebrows at the event and beyond. 

Acho’s stock slipped a little bit after the season that he had in 2010, but he will hope to raise that stock with a good performance in the combine on Monday.

Chykie Brown, DB

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WACO, TX - NOVEMBER 14: Cornerback Chykie Brown #8 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates in the first half against the Baylor Bears on November 14, 2009 at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas. The Longhorns beat the Bears 47-14. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Ge

Brown’s best hope is to make enough noise to get some attention from scouts, forcing them to take a deeper look at him. 

Right now, most have him predicted to go in the sixth or seventh round of the draft, but with a good showing at the combine, he could move himself up a little bit.

Curtis Brown, DB

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 5: Wide receiver Brandon Kinnie #84 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers cannot hold on for an incomplete pass in front of Curtis Brown #3 and Blake Gideon #21 of the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter of the game at Cowboys Stadium on

The other Brown is thought to be a higher pick in the 2011 NFL Draft—falling somewhere between the third and fifth rounds—and he needs to perform well at the combine to keep himself on the minds of coaches and scouts. 

He can make his way into someone’s starting lineup at some point and be a solid contributor somewhere in the NFL.

Kyle Hix, OT

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LUBBOCK, TX - SEPTEMBER 18: Kyle Hix #64 of the Texas Longhorns at Jones AT&T Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Hix has gone through the combine already and his numbers there weren’t too bad.  He ran the 40 yard dash in 5.46 seconds and came in standing 6’6”, with a weight of 319 pounds. 

After looking at his drills, Hix has some potential, but he’s not going to go high in the draft.  He looks like a late round prospect at best, but with some good workouts he could climb up draft boards and be a mid-round selection.

Aaron Williams, CB

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AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 25: Cornerback Aaron Williams #4 of the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The star of the Longhorns' draft class could be Williams.  Williams has been talked about as being a potential late first- to early second-round pick. With some good workouts, it’s possible that he could sneak into the middle of the first round. 

He’s got a ton of potential and can step into the lineup for most any team right away. And with some cornerback-hungry teams out there, he’s bound to land with someone early on in the 2011 NFL Draft.