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Seven Longhorns make Athlon Sports Presesason All-American Teams heading into the 2025 season

by: Evan Vieth07/06/25
Anthony Hill Jr.
Anthony Hill Jr. (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

Every year, Athlon Sports is one of the first media outlets to release its preseason All-American list, highlighting the four best players at every position heading into the season and predicting how these teams will look by the end of the year.

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Last year, Athlon’s three All-American teams featured just one Longhorn: offensive tackle Kelvin Banks. Banks was a first-team offensive selection and, despite Texas eventually sending three players to the first round, was the sole representative.

This year, Athlon is not doubting Texas, starting immediately with the headline of Arch Manning as the first-team quarterback. Manning has been a polarizing subject to write about and rank all offseason. The tape shows just how good he can be, and the name on the back of his jersey certainly helps fuel the fire.

Still, Manning is entering his first year as a starter, yet Athlon believes he will be the best quarterback in the nation, edging out Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier on the second and third teams, respectively.

Manning is the sole offensive representative on the first-team offense, but the defense features two very familiar names for Texas fans.

Colin Simmons and Anthony Hill each occupy a spot in Athlon’s front seven, joining Clemson as the only team with multiple defensive players on the first team.

Simmons is entering his second year at Texas where, in his first season, he showed an innate ability to rush the passer as a freshman in a heavy edge rotation. This year, Simmons is expected to take on the lead role off the edge and contribute in both the run and pass game on all three downs. He may already be the best pass rusher in the nation, before he’s even able to take a sip of alcohol.

Hill is a known commodity at this point in Austin. The now third-year linebacker made his presence known early in his career, similar to Simmons, and is now one of the best at his position in the entire country. Hill is a potential first-round pick from the off-ball linebacker spot and is expected to be a key leader on Texas’ defense in 2025.

Heading to the second team, Texas adds two players—one from each side of the ball. Cal tight end transfer Jack Endries marks Texas’ most notable transfer, already garnering the hype of being a top-two player at his position. In a year for tight ends that lacks star power, he may end up being the best in the nation and the first tight end taken in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Joining Endries is former walk-on safety Michael Taaffe. Taaffe was one of the best safeties in the nation in 2024 and is consistently seen as a top-five player at the position heading into next year. With much more depth in the safety room, Taaffe will have the ability to contribute all over the field and in comfortable positions like the deep third and on special teams.

Lastly, cornerback Malik Muhammad made the third team, while running back Quintrevion Wisner is one of three RBs on the fourth team. Both players are stars from the 2023 recruiting class but aren’t quite on the production level of Simmons, Hill, or likely Manning.

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Texas is one of the most represented teams on this list, trailing only Clemson, which has eight names recognized heading into 2025. With this wealth of talent, Texas has the ability to be one of the best in the nation next year and make yet another run at the College Football Playoff.

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