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Are there any major award candidates on the Texas Longhorns?

by: Evan Vieth2 hours ago
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Anthony Hill, Colin Simmons (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

The last two seasons of Texas football have been filled with notable award winners.

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Jahdae Barron took home the Thorpe Award for the most outstanding defensive back, Kelvin Banks took home the Lombardi Award as the nation’s top player, and he and T’Vondre Sweat went back-to-back Outland Trophy, given to the best interior lineman on either side of the football. All three players were named All-Americans

Additionally, Texas has had players like Anthony Hill and Colin Simmons recognized as Freshman All-Americans, while Quinn Ewers, Gunnar Helm, Alfred Collins, and Andrew Mukuba were part of the All-SEC teams alongside Barron and Banks in 2024.

But 2025 has been a bit quieter of a year. Texas has three losses, and few Longhorns have stood out as premier stars in the college football world. Still, Texas has quite a few players who will push to earn some of the top awards in the nation.

Colin Simmons: Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Award, Ted Hendricks Award

Pretty much everything is on the board for the star edge rusher. He’s been one of the nation’s most efficient pass rushers, and he’s had signature performances in big games against teams like Oklahoma and Vanderbilt.

Simmons likely still has some work to do to take home any awards for top defensive player or top defensive end, but it’s hard to argue that any pass rusher in the country is as gifted as Simmons.

Graceson Littleton: All-Freshman Team

Littleton is one of the most promising young players on this Texas team, taking over the STAR position in the offseason and never giving it up. He’s been a starter in every game for the Longhorns as the fifth DB, and has flashed brilliance at times in that nickel role.

He’s a shoe-in for this spot. I don’t think there is even a discussion. Just one other P4 true freshman CB has played over 200 snaps in the slot, and Littleton has 164 more snaps and 16 more tackles than Notre Dame’s Dallas Golden, another true freshman starting nickel.

Lance Jackson is very close to being another candidate here, but Maryland’s pair of true freshman edge rushers are a lock for these spots.

Ryan Niblett: Jet Award

First awarded in 2011, the Jet Award is given to the top return man in the nation each season. No Longhorn has ever won this award, but Ryan Niblett is seriously pushing to win it this year.

Niblett is second only to Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen, last year’s winner, in return touchdowns. Wetjen is likely the favorite here, boasting more yardage and yards per attempt as a kick and punt returner, but Niblett is almost guaranteed to be in the top three.

All-SEC hopefuls

Texas has a few All-SEC candidates this season.

Trevor Goosby and DJ Campbell are likely the only Longhorns on offense with a chance to be All-SEC selections. It’s kind of ironic that they come from the offensive line.

Simmons will likely be a first-team edge rusher. We expect him to be the only All-American from the team.

Hero Kanu has been efficient enough all year to get the nod as a defensive tackle, potentially.

Anthony Hill will be a first-team All-SEC linebacker. Hill has a chance to be an All-American.

Malik Muhammad, Michael Taaffe and Jelani McDonald will all be on All-SEC teams. All three could be first teamers, specifically Taaffe, but they should all be honorable mentions at worst.

Niblett will be the first-team returner.

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