Even though no Texas NFL franchise reached Super Bowl LX, the Lone Star State was still well represented on the sport’s biggest stage over the weekend.
Josh Jones and Riq Woolen carried their Texas high school roots into the showdown as the Seahawks prepared to face the Patriots in Santa Clara.
Jones was ultimately sidelined through injury, but Woolen suited up for Seattle’s commanding 29–13 victory.
The biggest Texas storyline belonged to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The former Ohio State star, who grew up in Rockwall, had been electric for the Seahawks all season. He led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards and finished fourth in receptions with 119.
At just 23, he entered the game at +550 to win Super Bowl MVP, trailing only Sam Darnold and Drake Maye in the money lines at online sports betting sites. Kenneth Walker III ultimately claimed the award after a 135-yard rushing performance, yet JSN remained a key figure throughout the playoff run.
After some mid-season inconsistency, Smith-Njigba caught fire in the NFC Championship Game against the Rams. He hauled in 10 passes for 153 yards, including a leaping 42-yard catch where he absorbed a heavy hit from Kam Curl and still held on. It was a reminder of why Seattle trusted him as its primary weapon, even with Walker taking centre stage in the title win.
That has long been the Texas story. The state produces NFL talent the way others produce corn, relentlessly.
From Friday night lights beneath towering high school stadiums to Super Bowl Sunday, Texas continues to serve as a pipeline for elite players on both sides of the ball. This year’s rookie class is simply the latest proof.
Some of those rookies are already contributing on playoff rosters. Others are about to disappear into the lab for the offseason, aiming to turn flashes into full-time roles in 2026. Either way, the next wave of Texas-born and Texas-trained talent is coming through.
Here are a few Texas rookies ready to make their mark on the postseason stage, or poised to use this playoff run as a springboard into bigger things next year.
Matthew Golden – WR, Green Bay Packers
The Houston kid who starred at Texas is exactly the type of receiver the state churns out every year. NFL-ready physically, but still needing that year of refinement to truly take off at the next level.
Golden went 23rd overall to the Packers in the first round, becoming the first receiver the team selected that high since Javon Walker in 2002. The expectations were massive. The reality was more complicated. He finished his rookie season with 29 receptions for 361 yards across 14 games, playing behind an established receiving corps of Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks.
Then the playoffs arrived, and Golden finally broke through. Against the Bears in the Wild Card round, he caught a 23-yard touchdown from Jordan Love with under seven minutes remaining, his first career score. He also flashed a 36-yard reception that showed the speed (4.29 in the 40-yard dash) and route-running ability that made him a first-rounder. He finished with four catches for 84 yards on five targets, his best game as a pro.
The Packers’ post-season run ended with that Bears collapse, but Golden viewed 2025 as a foundation year. With Doubs potentially leaving via free agency, Golden should be primed for a much bigger role in 2026. Texas receivers always seem to need that adjustment period. Golden has used his wisely.
Jahdae Barron – CB, Denver Broncos
Jahdae Barron was billed as one of the best cornerbacks in college football during his time in Austin. The Broncos drafted him, believing he could contribute immediately in their secondary.
His rookie numbers were limited but impactful. He played mostly in nickel and dime packages, recording tackles and pass breakups while learning the speed of the NFL game. The Broncos made the playoffs as a Wild Card team, giving Barron a chance to show what he can do when the stakes are highest.
One pass breakup or turnover in a playoff game can rewrite how a rookie corner is remembered. Barron has that opportunity. He’s another entry in the modern Texas defensive back factory, a pipeline that keeps producing NFL-ready talent year after year.
Whether the Broncos advance deep into the playoffs next season or not, Barron’s playoff experience will be invaluable heading into 2026.
Kelvin Banks Jr. – OT, New Orleans Saints
Banks barely left the region. He went from Texas to the Saints, staying close to home while establishing himself as an immediate NFL starter.
The Saints took Banks in the top ten of the 2025 draft, trusting him to protect their quarterback from day one. He played in all 17 regular-season games and graded somewhere in the middle of the pack for rookie tackles, which is exactly what you want from a first-year lineman.
And he’s had a disaster-free, bench-free run while being a steady, reliable player in one of the toughest positions in football.
The Saints didn’t quite make the playoffs, coming fourth in the NFC South, but Banks is the kind of cornerstone you expect to see anchoring the next playoff run for the team. Texas has always churned out offensive linemen who can start on Sundays from day one. Banks fits that mold perfectly.
Andrew Mukuba – S, Philadelphia Eagles
Born in Zimbabwe but raised in LBJ High, Andrew Mukuba has gone from Texas secondary star to key depth piece for a team built to contend for championships.
Mukuba’s path to the NFL ran through Austin, where he established himself as a playmaker with range and instincts.
The Eagles grabbed him later in the draft, adding him to a secondary that already featured established veterans. Mukuba posted healthy tackle numbers and recorded an interception during the regular season, showing he could contribute when called upon.
Looking Ahead
Texas rookies made their presence felt across the NFL in 2025. Some, like Smith-Njigba, are already stars carrying their teams on the biggest stage. Others, like Golden and Banks, used their first year to learn and prepare for bigger roles ahead.
The pipeline isn’t slowing down. High school programs across the state continue developing elite talent. College programs at SMU and the Longhorns keep churning out NFL-ready players. And every year, a new wave of Texas-born rookies arrives in the league ready to prove they belong.
This post-season is just the beginning for most of them. Whether they’re making plays in the Super Bowl or grinding through the offseason preparing for the years ahead, Texas rookies are building the foundation for long, successful NFL careers. Friday night lights prepared them for this. Now they’re showing the football world what Texas football is all about.
