Texas center Connor Robertson enters 2026 on the Rimington Trophy watch list as the veteran Longhorns lineman takes aim at a national championship.
Connor Robertson is no longer just another veteran piece of the Texas Longhorns offensive line.
He’s being asked to become its anchor.
Robertson enters the 2026 college football season on the Rimington Trophy preseason watch list, putting the Texas center among the players being watched for the award given annually to the nation’s best at the position.
For a Longhorns offense carrying national championship expectations, the timing couldn’t be better.
Robertson has appeared in 30 games during his Texas career, but his role dramatically increased last season.
The Austin Westlake product played in all 13 games and made eight starts at center, giving quarterback Arch Manning an experienced voice in the middle of an offensive line that endured its share of inconsistency.
Now the training wheels are gone.
Robertson enters his fifth college season with an opportunity to make the center job his own and become one of the most important pieces of Steve Sarkisian’s offense.
That’s where the Rimington Trophy chase becomes interesting.
Robertson isn’t entering 2026 with the massive résumé some of the country’s other veteran centers possess.
He’s still relatively inexperienced as a full-time starter despite spending four seasons in the Texas program.
But that also gives him considerable room to explode onto the national radar.
If Robertson locks down the position, protects Manning and helps Texas make another run at the College Football Playoff, his profile could rise quickly.
The preseason Rimington field features roughly 40 centers, so there won’t be any shortage of competition.
Players such as Jake Renfro are among the veteran names Robertson will have to outperform as the season unfolds.
The award also isn’t locked into its preseason candidates. Centers can play their way into consideration during the season, meaning Robertson will need to produce rather than simply enjoy the preseason recognition.
For Texas, though, the trophy would be gravy. The bigger prize is obvious.
The Longhorns enter 2026 expecting to contend for the SEC championship and national title, and accomplishing either will require an offensive line capable of keeping Manning upright and creating a dependable running game.
Robertson has spent four years preparing for this opportunity.
Now Texas needs him to own it. And if he does, a Rimington Trophy could become much more than preseason speculation.
