Texas Lands 11 All-SEC Picks as National Title Hype Explodes

The Texas Longhorns haven’t played a snap of the 2026 college football season, but the SEC has already delivered a loud message about Steve Sarkisian’s roster.

Texas placed 11 players on the Preseason All-SEC teams, with Arch Manning, Colin Simmons, Cam Coleman and several other projected difference-makers receiving conference recognition.

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It’s another reason expectations in Austin have moved far beyond simply reaching the College Football Playoff.

This team is being built to win the whole thing.

Ryan Niblett, Coleman, Simmons, Trevor Goosby and Rasheem Biles earned first-team honors.

Manning and Trey Dubuc landed on the second team, while Hollywood Smoothers, Ryan Wingo, Brandon Baker and Jelani McDonald were selected to the third team.

The number is impressive. The balance might matter even more.

Texas has preseason honorees at quarterback, wide receiver, running back, offensive line, linebacker and throughout the defense.

That kind of talent distribution is what separates a dangerous team from a legitimate national championship contender.

Several of the names are already familiar. Manning, Goosby, Simmons and Wingo have now received Preseason All-SEC recognition in consecutive years.

Their presence gives Texas an experienced core that has already operated under massive pressure.

Manning will command most of the attention, but Simmons could be just as important to the Longhorns’ title chances.

A dominant pass rusher can change an entire postseason game, and Texas expects him to remain one of the most disruptive defenders in college football.

The newcomers make the list even more interesting.

Smoothers arrives from NC State after rushing for a career-high 939 yards and six touchdowns last season.

He averaged 5.9 yards per carry, giving Sarkisian another explosive option in an offense already loaded with speed.

Biles brings proven production to the Texas defense after three seasons at Pittsburgh.

The linebacker recorded 100 tackles during his junior season and totaled 10.5 sacks and three interceptions during his Panthers career.

Those aren’t developmental additions. They’re immediate-impact players brought to Austin to help Texas win now.

Coleman’s presence on the first team adds even more firepower to Manning’s supporting cast, while Niblett and Wingo give the Longhorns multiple weapons capable of turning routine completions into touchdowns.

Up front, Goosby and Baker will be responsible for keeping the entire operation upright.

Preseason awards don’t guarantee anything, and Texas fans know hype can disappear quickly once SEC play begins.

Still, placing 11 players on the conference’s preseason teams isn’t empty noise. It’s evidence that the Longhorns may have one of the deepest and most complete rosters in the country.

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Texas isn’t sneaking up on anyone in 2026.

The Longhorns are carrying national title expectations directly into the season, and the SEC just made the target on their backs even bigger.