Texas S Andrew Mukuba selected No. 64 overall by the Philadelphia Eagles

The hard-nosed Mukuba is heading to the hard-nosed city to play for the Super Bowl champions.

Andrew Mukuba became the fifth Texas Longhorns player selected in the 2025 NFL Draft when the Philadelphia Eagles picked the versatile safety with the No. 64 overall pick in the second round on Friday.

The pick by the Eagles sends the hard-nosed safety to play in the hard-nosed city for the Super Bowl champions.

“What a great addition to our program Andrew was. Not just as a player, but as a leader, a teammate and a tremendous example of hard work and dedication. He just puts his head down, gives it all he’s got all of the time and is an incredible teammate. He was a really good football player for us this year who helped us win a lot of games, made big plays and always stepped up when he was needed,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said.

“Andrew is very versatile, played well in the run game, is excellent in pass defense and has some position flexibility. I think the Eagles will see his practice habits, his preparation, and the things that lead to positive performances on game day will really make him a great pro. Those are characteristics he had that will serve him well in the NFL.”

A local Austin product, Mukuba left Central Texas in favor of Clemson, South Carolina. A Freshman All-American and ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, Mukuba didn’t miss a beat in the transition to college football. After three years at Clemson, Mukuba made the decision to return home, joining the Longhorns for a final season in college football.

“I felt like I wasn’t getting better,” Mukuba said on Alex Okafor’s ‘Behind the Facemask’ podcast. “I wasn’t being pushed enough where I could reach my potential and my peak.”

The presence of Jahdae Barron and Michael Taaffe, with whom he had trained under Bernard “Bam” Blake during the COVID pandemic played a role, too.

Mukuba slotted in at safety with ease, becoming a veteran presence despite a short history in burnt orange. In his lone season at Texas, Mukuba totaled 69 tackles, four tackles for loss, five interceptions, and 11 passes defended.

Mukuba’s ball skills, instincts, and physicality make him a Day Two selection in this year’s draft. From his safety position, Mukuba possesses the awareness and athleticism to accurately survey the field before making decisive plays. He is a physical tackler that isn’t afraid to bring his hat downhill and fill the alley. In coverage, Mukuba operates best when he has the opportunity to read the quarterback and react.

He’s also played across the secondary during his college career — at Clemson, he played nickel and free safety and worked out at cornerback during the Texas Pro Day, providing some scheme versatility for the Eagles in addition to addressing the concern about weighing 186 pounds at the NFL Combine by getting up to 194 pounds at the Texas Pro Day.