Poised for a dynasty, the No. 3 Texas Longhorns blend championship experience with top-tier talent, aiming to repeat as SEC kings.
Texas baseball is entering the 2026 season with national expectations firmly in place.
The Longhorns were ranked No. 3 in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association preseason poll, continuing a wave of top-tier recognition following one of the most dominant seasons in program history.
Texas appears in all five major preseason polls, reaching as high as No. 3 nationally in rankings from D1Baseball, USA Today, and the NCBWA.
Baseball America and Perfect Game each slotted the Longhorns at No. 8, underscoring the depth of respect for a roster that blends proven production with elite incoming talent.
The confidence is well-earned. Last spring, Texas finished 44-14 overall and made immediate history in its first season in the SEC.
The Longhorns became the first team since 1933 to win the league in its inaugural year, posting a 22-8 conference record and finishing two games clear of the field despite being picked eighth in the preseason.
Head coach Jim Schlossnagle brings back a veteran core, returning 16 letterwinners from that title run. Leading the way is Dylan Volantis, the reigning Baseball America National Freshman of the Year, who headlines a pitching staff that returns 76 percent of its innings from a unit that ranked second nationally in WHIP at 1.18 and sixth in ERA at 3.71.
Offensively, Texas welcomes back its top two hitters from 2025 in Ethan Mendoza and Adrian Rodriguez, giving the lineup continuity to match its elite pitching depth.
That foundation is bolstered by a massive influx of talent, with 24 newcomers joining the program, including 14 freshmen and 10 transfers. Baseball America ranked the Longhorns’ recruiting class No. 1 in the nation.
Texas opens the 2026 season on Feb. 13 against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT.
With expectations soaring and depth across the roster, the Longhorns begin the year as a clear national title contender.