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Texas defense shines on Walter Camp Preseason All-American lists

Three defensive stars for the Texas Longhorns were named to preseason Walter Camp All-American rosters.
BySam Fariss|
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) in action during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoffs.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) in action during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoffs. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

With back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances and a phenomenal debut season in the SEC, the Texas Longhorns have returned to glory. That has been due in large part to a dominant defensive unit, led by defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski.

Last season, the Horns (once again) made it to the CFP semifinals, devastatingly losing to the eventual National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes. However, the defense continued to impress throughout all 16 of Texas's games.

Now, with months to go until the Longhorns kickoff their 2025 campaign, three Texas defensive stars have already earned preseason honors when the Walter Camp All-Americans (first and second teams) were announced.

Walter Camp Preseason All-American First-team defense

One of the youngest players on either the first or second teams is Texas's linebacker and defensive lineman Colin Simmons. As a true freshman, Simmons earned 48 total tackles (31 solo), nine sacks, three forced fumbles, two pass deflections, and one interception.

Simmons is going to be good for the Longhorns in 2025, and if he sticks around for at least one more year, he could see himself quickly evolve into one of the most highly coveted draft picks to come out of Texas in a long time.

Anthony Hill Jr. is expected to be one of the best linebackers in the nation during the 2025-26 season. After a phenomenal sophomore campaign, it is going to be extremely difficult for opponents to deny Hill the tackles he wants during the upcoming season.

While playing in his second season for the Longhorns, Hill collected 113 total tackles (59 solo), eight sacks, four forced fumbles, one pass deflection, and one interception for 32 yards. Simply put, he is a freaking beast.

Walter Camp Preseason All-American Second-team defense

No Texas fan will ever forget the raw and uninterrupted emotion that then-junior safety Michael Taaffe expressed following the Longhorns' loss to Ohio State in the CFP semifinal. That passion reflected in his in-game production levels.

During his junior season, he amassed 78 total tackles (40 solo), 10 pass deflections, two interceptions, two sacks, and one forced fumble. The only defensive back who stood ahead of him was Jim Thorpe Award-winning cornerback Jahdae Barron.

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