Versatile freshman defensive back Graceson Littleton earns 247Sports True Freshman All-American honors and becomes a key piece of Texas' future.
The future of the Texas Longhorns' defense just got another bright spotlight.
On Friday morning, freshman defensive back Graceson Littleton was named a True Freshman All-American by 247Sports, validating what anyone who watched Texas closely in 2025 already knew ... this kid is different.
Littleton appeared in 11 games for the Longhorns this season and stuffed the stat sheet with 41 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
His breakout moment came in the Week 6 road loss to Florida, where he posted eight total tackles and a forced fumble, flying all over the field and showing the kind of edge and physicality that jumps off the screen.
He didn't just show up in blowouts or garbage time, either.
Littleton delivered on the biggest stage. His interception in the Red River Rivalry helped Texas maintain its lead over Oklahoma, a momentum-swinging play that underscored just how quickly he's earned the staff's trust.
What truly sets Littleton apart is his versatility. As a true freshman, he logged 442 snaps at STAR, 51 in the box, 24 at corner, and 22 at free safety. That sort of positional flexibility is gold in modern college football, and Texas tapped into it early and often.
That's why keeping him in burnt orange is a top priority. With Will Muschamp now in charge of the defense, Littleton's skill set becomes even more valuable. Muschamp’s best units over the years have leaned on athletic, smart defensive backs who can disguise coverages, support the run, and erase space. Littleton checks every one of those boxes.
Replacing a freshman who played nearly 500 snaps at a high level would be a nightmare scenario for any coaching staff.
Instead, Texas gets to build around him. Littleton finished the season with the third-most tackles among defensive backs and tied Michael Taaffe for the team lead in interceptions in the secondary.
His elite speed, both vertically and sideline to sideline, makes windows close in a hurry.
Plays that look open for a split second suddenly vanish as No. 29 flashes into the frame. With a full year of experience and Muschamp tailoring the scheme, Littleton's 2026 leap could be massive.
If his trajectory continues, Texas won’t just have a good young defensive back ... it might have one of the most impactful DBs in the entire country anchoring the back end of its defense.