The AP Poll released its preseason All-America team, and a nation-leading four Longhorns were on the roster.
Texas linebackers Colin Simmons and Rasheem Biles, wide receiver Cam Coleman, and offensive tackle Trevor Goosby were included on the first-team All-American roster.
A few star Texas Longhorns were left off the first- and second-teams, however, including quarterback Arch Manning, running backs Hollwood Smothers and Raleek Brown, and defensive backs Jelani McDonald and Graceson Littleton.
Out of the 27 players on the first-team roster, 14 came from the SEC, and the Oregon Ducks had the second-most players between the first and second teams with three.
Jordan Pope's transfer destination shocks even his most loyal fans
It didn't come as much of a surprise when former Texas point guard Jordan Pope announced he would finish his collegiate career on a team other than the Horns.
He received a fifth year of eligibility with the recent five-in-five court ruling, but it came far too late for him to maintain his spot at Texas, with head coach Sean Miller filling the roster through transfer portal additions and with true freshmen.
However, when it was announced where Pope was transferring, even the most loyal of his supporters while he was at Texas were shocked. Pope is set to play his final season of collegiate basketball for the Texas A&M Aggies, the Longhorns' fiercest rival.
While Pope wouldn't have been able to stay at Texas, transferring to one of the team's most hated rivals certainly rubbed salt in the wound of his departure.
More: Texas soccer kicks off the season on a hot streak
One team has already gotten its season underway on the 40 Acres, and that is the Texas women's soccer team, led by first-year head coach Margueritte Bates.
Already, the Horns have two wins under their belt, starting the season with a 2-0 record after defeating the Houston Christian Huskies (3-0) and the Pitt Panthers (1-0).
roll the tape 🎥 #HookEm | @LonghornNetwork pic.twitter.com/OlVI2AV1iq
— Texas Soccer (@TexasSoccer) August 17, 2026
The Longhorns will play the Arizona State Sun Devils, Grand Canyon Lopes, Baylor Bears, Incarnate Word Cardinals, and TCU Horned Frogs before kicking off their SEC schedule on Thursday, Sept. 10, with a road trip to Arkansas.
Bates is no stranger to winning, and that's exactly why she was hired by Texas this offseason. Just four years ago, she led the UCLA Bruins to a National Championship in her first-ever year as a Division I head coach.
More: Texas volleyball ready to serve up a show this season
The Longhorns are about to start their volleyball season as well, heading to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to play in the AVCA First Serve showcase.
Texas and head coach Jerritt Elliott will look to get things swinging with matchups against the No. 12 Arizona State Sun Devils and the Marquette Golden Eagles.
Then, the real show begins when the Horns head to Las Vegas to compete in the Players Era Showcase. In Vegas, Texas will face the No. 18 TCU Horned Frogs and the No. 1 Nebraska Cornhuskers before returning home for the Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge, where they will play the No. 20 USC Trojans.
Sensing a theme of ranked matchups? Yeah, that will continue all season.
Read more: The brutality of Texas's schedule just got put on paper in AVCA Preseason Coaches Poll
Texas volleyball will start its SEC schedule on Friday, Sept. 25, with a road game against the No. 22 Tennessee Volunteers. Their first home conference matchup will come on Oct. 2 against the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
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