Five former Texas high school football players poised to be picked high in the NFL draft

[caption id="attachment_19480" align="alignright" width="300"]Photo by Will Leverett Photo by Will Leverett[/caption] The state of Texas is always represented in the NFL Draft. This year’s draft will be no different, as the Lone Star State expects multiple first-round picks. The number of Texans drafted will be well into the double-digits, but here are five to watch early in the draft. A’Shawn Robinson – Defensive Tackle – Alabama Robinson was destined for greatness as a five-star recruit at Ft. Worth Arlington Heights High School. He was a long-time Texas commit before switching to Alabama in the 2013 class. Robinson morphed into the most dominant defensive lineman for the national champion Crimson Tide. He’s huge at 6-foot-3 and 312 pounds, but he moves remarkably well for a defensive tackle. That gives him great flexibility in the NFL because he can play defensive tackle in a 4-3 or defensive end in a 3-4. He’ll be a top-20 pick. Andrew Billings – Defensive Tackle – Baylor If Robinson isn’t the first Texan selected, the honor will go to fellow defensive tackle Andrew Billings. It was an important decision when Billings chose to stay home in Waco and attend Baylor. He was one of Art Briles’ first great commitments in the trenches. Billings was a state champion powerlifter at Waco High and that strength serves him well. He’s great at stopping the run and against double-teams. He’s a first round selection. Corey Coleman – Wide Receiver – Baylor Coleman made his name at Richardson Pearce High School, grabbing nearly 300 catches in his three-year varsity career. He wasn’t offered by in-state powers like Texas and Texas A&M, so he ended up at Baylor and was on pace to shatter NCAA receiving records in 2015 before injuries to himself and Baylor’s quarterbacks hampered the season. Still, he’s an explosive talent with game-changing ability. A team will select him late in the first round. Emmanuel Ogbah – Defensive End – Oklahoma State Ogbah slipped through the cracks as a three-star recruit out of Bush High School in Richmond. He was talented coming out of high school, but had yet to fill out his frame. He’s added nearly 40 pounds in college and turned into one of the best strong-side defensive ends in college football. He’s still raw as a pass rusher, but he’s brutally strong for the position and is very apt against the run. NFL scouts will love his upside and he’ll be a late first round/early second round pick. Germain Ifedi – Offensive Tackle – Texas A&M Ifedi wasn’t a can’t-miss offensive tackle prospect coming out of Westside High School in Houston. He was a three-star recruit who committed to Texas A&M over offers from most in-state schools. Texas A&M had offensive linemen drafted in the first round of the past three NFL drafts and Ifedi could make that four in a row. He’s a big guy who handles a bull-rush well and his long arms give him an advantage. The value placed on offensive tackles could mean a first round selection.