Texas Longhorns linebacker Trey Moore came off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft when the Miami Dolphins selected the versatile Smithson Valley product with the No. 130 overall pick in the fifth round on Saturday.
Moore is the third Texas player selected in this year’s draft, joining linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. to the Tennessee Titans and cornerback Manny Muhammad to the Chicago Bears.
The 6’2, 242-pounder is an athletic
defender with proven production and a diverse skill set with experience as an edge and an inside linebacker. As a 46-game starter, Moore has showcased pass-rushing abilities off the edge, run-stopping abilities, and the athleticism to play off the ball.
Moore spent the last two seasons on the Forty Acres after an historic two-season campaign at UTSA. As a redshirt freshman in 2022, Moore recorded a school-record 18 tackles for loss as well as 59 tackles, eight sacks, six passes broken up, and two forced fumbles. He was deservedly recognized as a Freshman All-American.
The under-recruited Smithson Valley product followed up that effort with an even better sophomore season, posting 14 sacks, 17.5 TFLs, 45 tackles, three passes defended, an interception, and a forced fumble. After being crowned as the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, he entered the transfer portal and ultimately committed to Texas over offers from nearly every D1 powerhouse.
While some wondered if his dominance was a result of subpar competition, Moore largely dispelled those ideas during his two seasons as a Longhorn. As a junior, he started all 16 games, lining up on the edge while recording 35 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pass broken up.
He showcased a deep arsenal of pass-rushing techniques and a dangerous spin move that thwarted tackles despite their advantages in length and quickness.
In his final collegiate season, Moore transitioned to an off-ball role, a testament to the coaching staff’s faith in his athleticism, coverage skills, and ability to tackle in space. While his disruption statistics dropped, he demonstrated versatility that will excite NFL coaching staffs and still posted 35 tackles, five TFLs, three sacks, and three passes broken up.
If the on-the-field production isn’t enough, Moore is a stellar student in the classroom and put on a fantastic showing at the combine. A finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy and the Academic Heisman, Moore posted the seventh-best athleticism score among edge defenders in the 2026 NFL Draft while his shuttle time bested numerous linebackers.
As a prospect, Moore has established a diverse skill set. He wins with timing, hand usage, and multiple moves when rushing the passer. His spin move is particularly lethal and allows him to beat tackles when he can’t use speed to get past them.
As an inside linebacker, Moore looked fluid and operated well in space, which gives NFL coaching staffs extreme flexibility in how they may opt to use him.
Ultimately, Moore is a well-rounded prospect who can utilize his diverse skill set to carve out a role on an NFL roster. Whether is rushing the passer or developing into an all-around linebacker, Moore has the production and athleticism to compete at the highest level, which helped him come off the draft board at the high range of his projection.
