Texas HC Steve Sarkisian had plenty to smile about on April 24, as 3 of his standout players were selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. OT Kelvin Banks Jr. was picked at No. 9 by the Saints, DB Jahdae Barron went to the Broncos at No. 20, and WR Matthew Barron was selected by the Packers at No. 23. “I try to sit back and enjoy it,” shared Sarkisian. Adding, “I’ll be on the couch enjoying it all, trying to be a proud papa.” It was a proud moment for Sarkisian, watching his players shine on the NFL stage — but what’s even more intriguing is that he became a “papa” in the process.

Interestingly, Sarkisian’s “papa” status reached a new level this month. He and his wife, Loreal Sarkisian, joyfully welcomed their first child in a quiet, intimate moment. On April 4, the 39-year-old stylist shared maternity photos, expressing, “He’s arrived, and our hearts are so full of love and gratitude!” However, she embraced the peaceful days of adjusting to motherhood, telling her 139,000 IG followers, “Thank you for your love and respecting this sweet time of privacy 💙.” But Loreal promised to return to her regular posts soon — and as promised, she’s back in action.

On April 27, Loreal made her first public appearance since becoming a mom at the annual Mack, Jack & McConaughey fundraiser in Austin. The event featured a stunning Carolina Herrera fashion show, and Texas alum Matthew McConaughey, one of the fundraiser’s founders, was in attendance with his wife, Camila Alves. However, Loreal shared a fun moment on Instagram, captioning a video of Alves with “Fun Fridays.” So, it was a stylish return to the spotlight for Loreal, as she soaked in the event’s energy and flair.

On Saturday, Steve Sarkisian’s wife reflected on the memorable day and shared her excitement on Instagram, writing, “Starting my weekend in the best way, surrounded by beauty, fashion, and inspiring women at a gorgeous event hosted by Neiman Marcus.” Then, she went on to express her joy in reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting new ones who share her passion for fashion and styling. “Truly a day to remember!” she added, clearly cherishing the unforgettable moments she experienced.

While Loreal Sarkisian’s success story continues to inspire, her husband, Steve Sarkisian, couldn’t help but show his admiration. In response to her glowing post, Steve dropped a simple but heartfelt comment: “😍😍😍.” His special reaction says it all — a proud and supportive husband cheering on his wife’s achievements.

Not only this, when Loreal shared her beautiful maternity shoot, fans got a glimpse of the deep love between her and Steve Sarkisian. The photos, capturing Loreal proudly showing off her baby bump, were truly heartwarming. But in the 3rd shot, Steve lovingly kissed her forehead, his hand resting gently on her stomach. And beneath the post, Steve’s simple but powerful comment read, “💙💙💙,” a true reflection of his love and admiration for his wife.

While Texas HC Steve Sarkisian has deep admiration for his wife, he didn’t hold back in expressing his pride about his three players being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Steve Sarkisian’s thoughts on his players’ selections

Steve Sarkisian couldn’t be prouder of his players selected in the NFL Draft. He gave high praise to OT Kelvin Banks Jr., drafted by the New Orleans Saints, calling him the perfect Longhorn. “I’ve said this all along, I would tell any player coming into our program, if you want to be great, be like Kelvin Banks,” said Sarkisian. He highlighted Banks’ work ethic, consistency, and ability to handle top-tier competition. “He started at left tackle from day one and never flinched, even against stars like Will Anderson and Dallas Turner,” added the Texas HC.

Then, Sarkisian is confident that selecting DB Jahdae Barron will prove to be a smart move for Denver. He highlighted Barron’s impressive development and versatility during his time at Texas. “When we first got here, he was playing nickel, then transitioned to cornerback, and played multiple roles—safety, dime linebacker,” shared Sarkisian. Adding, “He has a high football IQ, great instincts, and physicality. Jahdae can blitz, tackle, cover, and identify route combinations. He just makes plays.” On top of that, Sarkisian also pointed to Barron’s Thorpe Award as a true reflection of his hard work and adaptability.

Moreover, Sarkisian believes selecting Golden will pay off for Green Bay, praising his growth since transferring from Houston. “He came from more of an air raid system, so the transition wasn’t easy, but he became our most productive and reliable receiver,” said the Longhorns HC.

However, Golden’s speed, quickness, strong hands, and ability to make contested catches at every level made him stand out. Beyond his athleticism, Sarkisian highlighted his toughness and team-first mentality. “He’s tough, no-nonsense, and does the dirty work blocking linebackers, safeties, and defensive backs,” added Sarkisian.

Simply put, selecting these three players—Banks, Barron, and Golden—will be a major payoff for their respective NFL teams, according to Sarkisian.