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Graceson Littleton named an On3 Preseason True Freshman All-American

Joe Cookby: Joe Cook08/19/25josephcook89
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Graceson Littleton (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

Texas defensive back Graceson Littleton was named an On3 Preseason True Freshman All-American on Tuesday. Littleton, a 6-foot-0, 180-pounder from Tampa (Fla.) Wiregrass Ranch, is contending to start for the Longhorns at Star and will see plenty of action this year both on defense and special teams regardless of whether he takes the first snaps in a given game.

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Littleton, a nutrition major, enrolled early at Texas in 2025. He was ranked as the No. 68 overall prospect, the No. 9 cornerback, and the No. 11 player in Florida in the 2025 Rivals Industry Ranking. On3 at the time ranked Littleton as the No. 49 overall prospect, the No. 6 cornerback, and the No. 6 player in Florida.

During the first media viewing window of Texas’ preseason practices, Littleton took the first-string snaps at Star. That was a position Jaylon Guilbeau occupied in 2024 and Jahdae Barron manned in 2023. Littleton is in a competition with players like Wardell Mack and Jelani McDonald at the position. There may be some occasions where McDonald or Mack get the nod, but that is likely to be due to matchups as opposed to any major reshuffling of the depth chart or anything about Littleton.

Littleton was consistently praised throughout the preseason. Special teams coordinator Jeff Banks highlighted Littleton ahead of training camp, while Steve Sarkisian was effusive in his praise of the Florida product early.

“Graceson Littleton, for us, this guy had a great spring,” Sarkisian said. “I feel like I talked about him a lot, and maybe it was not fair to him because I was talking about him too much. But he just comes back. He works. He’s very savvy. He’s smart, he’s tough. He works at his craft. Football is the most important thing in his life, and it shows. He went out and had a good day today. You coach him hard. He takes hard coaching. He responds. He tries to get better. It’s a good start for him with where he’s at.”

Here’s what On3’s team had to say about Littleton.

Graceson Littleton has made an early splash at Texas and is tracking to start at nickel for the Longhorns as a true freshman. The 6-foot, 180-pounder was one of the more refined cornerback prospects in the 2025 cycle. The advanced level of technical polish, along with his ability to effortlessly change gears in coverage, has allowed for a smooth transition to the college level. Littleton’s skill set may remind Texas fans of what we saw from former Longhorn great, Jahdae Barron. 

Littleton’s position coach is Keynodo Hudson, who had this to say about the freshman earlier in camp.

“He’s just a smart guy,” Hudson said. “Has high football IQ. Has great instincts, and has the athletic ability that’s like a combo player that has the skill set to play outside and then has the physicality and high football IQ to play inside. Once you’re able to play inside, you become an interchangeable part that can also play safety. You are a true interchangeable part on the defense.”

Littleton has already established himself in Austin, and Austin has established itself on him. Littleton has a tattoo of the Interstate 35 sign on his right arm.

In addition, he’s established himself on the Texas defense to where he’s already viewed as one of the top players in his class in the nation.

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2025 On3 Preseason True Freshman All-American Team

QB Bryce Underwood – Michigan
RB Gideon Davidson – Clemson
TE Linkon Cure – Kansas State
WR Jayvan Boggs – Florida State
WR Dakorien Moore – Oregon
WR Dallas Wilson – Florida
OL Michael Fasusi – Oklahoma
OL Juan Gaston – Georgia
OL John Mills – Washington
OL David Sanders, Jr. – Tennessee
OL Isaac Sowells – NC State

EDGE Marco Jones – Texas A&M
EDGE Jayden Woods – Florida
DL Elijah Griffin – Georgia
DL Donta Simpson – Miami
LB Bradley Gompers – Duke
LB Riley Pettijohn – Ohio State
DB Tae Harris – Georgia Tech
DB Graceson Littleton – Texas
DB DJ Pickett – LSU
DB Demetres Samuel, Jr. – Syracuse
DB Devin Sanchez – Ohio State

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