The Texas Longhorns didn't accomplish their ultimate goal of winning a National Championship this year, falling short in the College World Series. However, that doesn't mean that the Horns didn't achieve greatness throughout the season.
From numerous All-Americans, to Sam Cozart being named as the National Freshman Pitcher of the Year, to Anthony Pack Jr. being named as the SEC Freshman of the Year, the Longhorns received their flowers where it was due.
The latest flower came in the form of a Golden Glove. It went to Carson Tinney as the best catcher in all of Division I college baseball. Tinney, who transferred to Texas ahead of the 2026 season, was named to the 2026 ABCA and Rawlings Gold Glove Team alongside the best players in the country.
2026 ABCA, Rawlings Gold Glove Team
Tinney was named to the Gold Glove roster alongside two other players who were at the College World Series this year: Georgia shortstop Kolby Branch and UNC second baseman Gavin Gallaher.
- Carson Tinney, catcher, Texas
- Mulivai Levu, first baseman, UCLA
- Gavin Gallaher, second baseman, North Carolina
- Brayden Jefferis, third baseman, Michigan
- Kolby Branch, shortstop, Georgia
- Derek Curiel, outfielder, LSU
- Ty Head, outfielder, NC State
- Hutson Miles, outfielder, Lipscomb
- Nick Lewis, pitcher, Washington State
The Longhorns' catcher gave everything to the Texas baseball program, and while he has one more year of eligibility remaining, he is expected to take his talents to the 2026 MLB Draft. However, in the one year he spent with the Horns, it became clear just how much his time on the 40 Acres meant to him.
"Everything I've done and spent over the last year that I've been at Texas has poured into this team," Tinney said after the Horns were eliminated from the CWS. "I can't express how grateful I am to be a Longhorn and to wear these five letters across my chest every single day."
Tinney spent his first two years of college baseball with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish before transferring to Texas. He was one of the best additions head coach Jim Schlossnagle made during the past offseason.
"I never anticipated to come out of Texas with just the headspace that I have now. But I truly believe that the coaching staff here changed my life," Tinney said. "I'm so grateful for them and the opportunity that they gave to me to be a Longhorn. And it's a dream come true for myself and my family. And I'm just extremely grateful."
During the 2026 season, Tinney racked up 71 hits for 58 RBIs, including 22 home runs. While playing behind the plate, he earned 600 putouts, catching 16 of the 24 runners who dared to try to steal a base against him. Over his 60 starts, he committed just five errors.
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He might not be a first or second-rounder in the MLB Draft, but Tinney is an undeniable star on the baseball diamond, and the Gold Glove honor is just the latest proof of that fact.
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