Texas Lands 11 Players on Preseason Coaches All-SEC Team

Texas football isn’t short on hype entering 2026, now the SEC coaches are backing it up.

The Longhorns placed 11 players on the 2026 Preseason Coaches All-SEC Team, tying Georgia for the most selections in the conference. Texas also landed five first-team honorees, matching LSU for the league lead.

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That’s a pretty strong message about how the rest of the SEC views Steve Sarkisian’s roster.

The first-team group is headlined by Rasheem Biles at linebacker, Cam Coleman at wide receiver, Trevor Goosby on the offensive line, Ryan Niblett as a return specialist and Colin Simmons off the edge.

That’s elite talent spread all over the field.

Simmons and Goosby are repeat preseason selections, and both finished 2025 as First-Team All-SEC performers, so their inclusion isn’t exactly surprising.

The more interesting name may be Arch Manning.

Manning was voted to the second team at quarterback, a reminder that even with all the national attention surrounding him, SEC coaches still see competition above him at the position.

That should only add fuel to the conversation around Texas’ season.

Behind Manning, the third-team selections show just how deep this roster is.

Offensive lineman Brandon Baker, long snapper Trey Dubuc, defensive back Jelani McDonald, running back Hollywood Smothers and wide receiver Ryan Wingo all earned recognition.

Niblett also made the third team as an all-purpose player, making him one of only five SEC players honored at multiple positions.

That makes sense when you look at what he brings.

Niblett emerged as one of the most explosive return threats in college football last season, and now Texas has another way to get him involved beyond special teams.

The bigger takeaway is simple. Texas isn’t carrying one or two stars. It has a roster full of players the rest of the conference already respects.

Eleven preseason All-SEC selections don’t guarantee a championship, but they do establish expectations.

And those expectations are massive.

Texas opens the season Sept. 5 against Texas State, and after that, the pressure will build fast.

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Because when you tie Georgia for the most preseason All-SEC players in the league, nobody is interested in hearing about rebuilding.

They expect you to contend.