Texas WR Isaiah Bond enters NFL draft

Field Level Media|published: Tue 14th January, 11:12 2025

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Isaiah Bond (7) runs drills at practice at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Dec. 30, 2024 ahead of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals. The Longhorns will play the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Peach Bowl on New Years Day.

Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond is entering the NFL draft after one season with the Longhorns.

Bond is projected as a top-40 pick by Field Level Media because of his explosive speed and proven big-play ability. His most memorable reception at the college level likely was during his second season at Alabama. Bond caught the pass on the play recognized as "Gravedigger" to beat rival Auburn in the Iron Bowl in 2023.

He transferred to Texas after the 2023 season when head coach Nick Saban retired.

In his only season with the Longhorns, Bond had 34 receptions for 540 yards and five touchdowns. He also had a touchdown and 98 yards rushing in 2024.

For his college career, Bond totaled 99 catches for 1,428 yards and 10 TD receptions.

Bond said he began running hills with his mom in first grade and always dreamed of getting a chance to play in the NFL.

At 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, Bond is a physical comp to Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill and shares similarities in straight-line speed. Hill ran a 4.29 40-yard dash at West Alabama's Pro Day in 2016 and was a fifth-round pick, primarily because of off-field issues.

Bond plans to participate in testing at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis next month, where he'll have a chance to showcase his development at the position and run for a record set last year by Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy.

Worthy broke the Combine record in the 40-yard dash, clocking a time of 4.21 seconds and reaching a speed of 21 mph. He was drafted in the first round by the Kansas City Chiefs.

--Field Level Media