Texas and Michigan: The College Football Teams Most Severely Impacted by Early Entry in the 2025 NFL Draft
As the landscape of college football continues to evolve, the NFL Draft remains a key determinant in shaping the future of college programs. The decision by a player to enter the draft early has always carried weight, but as the sport grows in both talent and popularity, the stakes for universities have only become higher. For many teams, early declarations for the draft signal a reshaping of rosters, while others must adapt to the loss of key players ahead of critical seasons. As we look ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft, two schools that stand out as being especially impacted by early entries are the University of Texas and the University of Michigan.
Both of these programs have seen star players decide to forgo additional years of eligibility, significantly affecting their roster composition, depth, and aspirations for the upcoming season. Here’s a breakdown of why these two programs have been most severely impacted and how they will adjust moving forward.
Texas: Losing Key Players in the 2025 NFL Draft
The University of Texas is no stranger to high-level football talent. As one of the most successful programs in college football history, the Longhorns have consistently produced NFL talent, and 2025 is shaping up to be another year where Texas loses some of its brightest stars to the NFL.
1. Texas Football’s Star Players Declaring for the Draft
One of the most notable departures is Bijan Robinson, the Longhorns’ star running back. Robinson is considered one of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. His decision to declare for the draft early had a profound impact on Texas, as he was not only the centerpiece of the offense but also one of the most electrifying playmakers in college football.
Robinson’s early departure from Texas leaves a massive hole in the Longhorns’ backfield. While Texas has a history of developing elite running backs, finding a replacement for Robinson will be a significant challenge. His ability to make plays both in the running game and as a receiving threat out of the backfield was crucial to Texas’ offensive scheme, and his absence could lead to a shift in the team’s offensive strategy moving forward.
In addition to Robinson, the Longhorns also face early exits from key defensive players such as Jerrin Thompson and Ovie Oghoufo. Both players had a huge impact on the defensive side of the ball, and with their departure, Texas now faces the challenge of replacing key figures in the secondary and at linebacker.
2. Impact on Texas’ Depth and Recruiting Strategy
While Texas remains a perennial powerhouse in recruiting, losing key players to the draft will force the Longhorns to focus more intently on the transfer portal. Head coach Steve Sarkisian’s ability to reload the roster with talent will be put to the test as he tries to fill the gaps left by players like Robinson, Thompson, and Oghoufo. The transfer portal has become a valuable resource for programs to fill immediate needs, and Texas will likely lean heavily on that to ensure that they don’t lose too much ground in the talent department.
However, the loss of talent will also force Sarkisian to reimagine the team’s depth chart. In particular, the offensive line and defensive backfield will need to quickly develop young talent to keep Texas competitive in a tough Big 12 conference and beyond. While recruiting is crucial, the Longhorns must also count on their ability to develop underclassmen and maximize the potential of those who remain.
3. Texas’ 2025 NFL Draft Class: Looking Ahead
Bijan Robinson is expected to be one of the first running backs taken in the 2025 NFL Draft, which will be a huge feather in Texas’ cap when it comes to recruiting. His success at the professional level will undoubtedly help the program in future recruiting classes, as it proves Texas’ ability to develop first-round NFL talent. However, the immediate impact of Robinson’s loss could be felt in the 2025 season, especially if the Longhorns are unable to find a quick solution to replace his versatility and production.
With more players likely to declare for the draft in the coming months, Texas’ 2025 season may face some significant adjustments. Despite these challenges, the Longhorns have an extensive recruiting pipeline and the resources to recover quickly. Sarkisian’s ability to keep Texas competitive despite roster turnover will be put to the test.
Michigan: A Major Impact from Early Entries into the 2025 NFL Draft
Michigan, under head coach Jim Harbaugh, has become one of the most dominant programs in college football in recent years. The Wolverines have fielded top-10 teams and made multiple College Football Playoff appearances, but the 2025 NFL Draft is already shaping up to be a major test for Michigan’s football program. Like Texas, Michigan is grappling with the loss of multiple key players who are electing to enter the draft early.
1. Michigan Football’s Key NFL Draft Entrants
A major headline for Michigan in 2025 is the decision by quarterback J.J. McCarthy to declare for the NFL Draft. McCarthy has been the leader of Michigan’s offense over the past couple of seasons and played a key role in leading them to back-to-back Big Ten championships and College Football Playoff appearances. His dual-threat ability and poise under pressure were essential for Michigan’s offensive success, and his early exit represents a massive hole for the Wolverines to fill in the 2025 season.
In addition to McCarthy, Blake Corum, one of the most dynamic running backs in college football, has also declared for the NFL Draft. Corum was one of the best in the nation at his position and was pivotal to Michigan’s run-heavy offense. Losing both McCarthy and Corum in one offseason leaves Michigan with significant gaps at two critical positions: quarterback and running back. These losses have a direct effect on both the offensive scheme and the overall dynamic of the Wolverines’ offense.
2. The Fallout from McCarthy and Corum’s Departure
Michigan is now left with a glaring void at both quarterback and running back. While Donovan Edwards is a talented running back who could step into the role left by Corum, replacing McCarthy is a much more complex task. McCarthy was one of the most well-rounded quarterbacks in recent Michigan history, and finding a suitable replacement will take time.
The Wolverines have talented backups in Cade McNamara (who has since transferred to Iowa) and J.J. McCarthy’s former backup, but neither player has shown the same level of consistency or dynamic playmaking ability that McCarthy provided. Michigan will likely turn to the transfer portal to find another quarterback who can manage the offense and maintain their high standards.
The early exit of McCarthy and Corum also has broader implications for Michigan’s recruiting strategy. The Wolverines will need to adjust their recruiting pitch to address the loss of these key players. Fortunately, Michigan has been successful on the recruiting trail and has the talent to reload. However, the early departures place added pressure on Jim Harbaugh to effectively develop young talent and potentially secure immediate help through transfers.
3. Michigan’s 2025 NFL Draft Class: Looking Ahead
McCarthy and Corum are expected to be high draft picks, which will help to solidify Michigan’s reputation as a program that develops NFL-caliber talent. However, the immediate impact of losing them is undeniable. Michigan has a strong track record of success under Jim Harbaugh, but replacing these two elite players will be no easy feat. The Wolverines will need to find new stars to step up and lead the offense.
Impact on Both Programs: What’s at Stake?
Both Texas and Michigan are among the most prestigious programs in college football, and the early exits of key players have major implications for their upcoming seasons. For Texas, the departure of Bijan Robinson and key defensive players puts pressure on the Longhorns to reload through recruiting and the transfer portal. For Michigan, losing J.J. McCarthy and Blake Corum has the potential to derail an offense that has been the backbone of their success.
These early departures underscore a broader trend in college football: the pressure to succeed at the NFL level is driving top talent to forgo their college eligibility in favor of turning pro. Both Texas and Michigan will need to adjust quickly to these departures, finding ways to maintain competitiveness in 2025 while reloading for the future.
Ultimately, these two programs, which have been at the pinnacle of college football in recent years, will face significant tests in the 2025 season. But with strong recruiting pipelines, excellent coaching staffs, and a history of success, both Texas and Michigan are more than capable of rebounding and staying competitive at the highest levels of college football. The question remains: How will they adapt to the growing trend of early draft entrants and what will it mean for their future success? Only time will tell.