Awards aren't everything. The real goal is to win as many games as possible, secure a conference title, and make it to the College Football Playoff, with the ultimate destination being the National Championship game with the trophy in your hands.
However, with just over a week left until the Texas Longhorns kick off the 2026 regular season, preseason awards watchlists continue to position them as some of the best players in the country.
While these watchlists get narrowed to semifinalists, finalists, and eventual winners throughout the year, it never hurts to keep track of which athletes are garnering attention before the action actually begins.
So, with all of that being said, here is every award that features a Longhorn on the preseason watchlist:
Maxwell Award, the Collegiate Football Player of the Year
- Arch Manning, quarterback
- Cam Coleman, wide receiver
Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the National Defensive Player of the Year
- Colin Simmons, edge
- Rasheem Biles, linebacker
Outland Trophy, Outstanding Interior Player
- Trevor Goosby, left tackle
- Brandon Baker, right guard
Rimington Trophy, Most Outstanding Center
- Connor Robertson
Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award
- Gianni Spetic
Paul Hornung Award, Most Versatile Player
- Ryan Niblett, wide receiver/return specialist
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, most impactful leaders in community service
- Colin Simmons
Lombardi Award, the top college football lineman/linebacker
- Colin Simmons, edge
- Trevor Goosby, left tackle
- Rasheem Biles, linebacker
Thorpe Award, Nation's Best Defensive Back
- Jelani McDonald, safety
Butkus Award, Nation's Top Linebacker
- Rasheem Biles
Walter Camp Player of the Year
- Arch Manning, quarterback
- Colin Simmons, edge
- Rasheem Biles, linebacker
Doak Walker Award, Nation's Top Running Back
- Hollywood Smothers
- Raleek Brown
Biletnikoff Award, Nation's Most Outstanding College Football Receiver
- Ryan Wingo
- Cam Coleman
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Nation's Top Upperclassman Quarterback
- Arch Manning
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award
- Brandon Baker, right guard
Davey O’Brien Award, Nation's Best Collegiate Quarterback
- Arch Manning
Chuck Bednarik Award, Top Defensive Player
- Colin Simmons, edge
- Rasheem Biles, linebacker
Manning Award, Top Quarterback (includes bowl game and CFP performances)
- Arch Manning
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, Nation's Outstanding Offensive Player
- Arch Manning, quarterback
- Cam Coleman, wide receiver
- Trevor Goosby, left tackle
So, while the Longhorns won't bring home all of these trophies (most likely), seeing so many Texas football players on the preseason watchlists speaks volumes to the amount of talent and depth that Steve Sarkisian has brought to the 40 Acres.
Now, it's just time for the actual work to begin.
Texas kicks off its 2026 regular season with a home game against the Texas State Bobcats on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
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