Three Longhorns named preseason AP first-team All-Americans

Michael Taaffe, Anthony Hill, and Colin Simmons were named preseason first-team All-Americans by the Associated Press on Monday.

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Taaffe and Hill each earned second-team All-America honors from the AP in 2024. Simmons was not added to any All-American teams but was named a freshman All-American by the FWAA and also took home the Shaun Alexander True Freshman of the Year award.

Taaffe, a fifth-year senior, logged 78 tackles with 5.5 for loss, two sacks, and two interceptions along with 10 pass breakups. A former walk-on, Taaffe has emerged as one of the unquestioned leaders of the Longhorn football program and an impact player in the defensive secondary. He also forced a fumble and recovered one ball on the ground.

Hill, a true junior, led Texas with 113 tackles last season. He also logged a team-high 16.5 tackles for loss along with eight sacks. Hill added one interception, one pass breakup, four forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery

Simmons, a true sophomore, recorded 48 tackles with 14 for loss. He led the Longhorns in sacks with nine. He also notched one interception and three forced fumbles.

First Team All-Americans: Offense

Quarterback — Cade Klubnik, fourth year, Clemson.
Running backs — Jeremiyah Love, third year, Notre Dame; Nicholas Singleton, fourth year, Penn State.
Tackles — Spencer Fano, fourth year, Utah; Kadyn Proctor, third year, Alabama.
Guards — Olaivavega Ioane, fourth year, Penn State; Ar’maj Reed-Adams, sixth year, Texas A&M.
Center — Jake Slaughter, fifth year, Florida.
Tight end — Eli Stowers, fifth year, Vanderbilt.
Wide receivers — Jeremiah Smith, second year, Ohio State; Ryan Williams, second year, Alabama; Jordyn Tyson, fourth year, Arizona State.
All-purpose player — Desmond Reid, fourth year, Pittsburgh.
Kicker — Dominic Zvada, fourth year, Michigan.

First Team All-Americans: Defense

Edge — Dylan Stewart, second year, South Carolina; Colin Simmons, second year, Texas.
Tackles — Peter Woods, third year, Clemson; Zane Durant, fourth year, Penn State.
Linebackers — Anthony Hill Jr., third year, Texas; Whit Weeks, fifth year, LSU; Kyle Louis, fourth year, Pittsburgh.
Cornerbacks — Leonard Moore, second year, Notre Dame; Jermod McCoy, third year, Tennessee.
Safeties — Caleb Downs, third year, Ohio State; Dillon Thieneman, third year, Oregon.
Defensive back — Michael Taaffe, fifth year, Texas.
Punter — Brett Thorson, fourth year, Georgia.

Second Team All-Americans: Offense

Quarterback — Garrett Nussmeier, fifth year, LSU.
Running backs — Makhi Hughes, fourth year, Oregon; Isaac Brown, second year, Louisville.
Tackles — Francis Mauigoa, third year, Miami; Blake Miller, fourth year, Clemson.
Guards — Cayden Green, third year, Missouri; Keylan Rutledge, fourth year, Georgia Tech.
Center — Parker Brailsford, fourth year, Alabama.
Tight end — Max Klare, fourth year, Ohio State.
Wide receivers — Antonio Williams, fourth year, Clemson; Elijah Sarratt, fourth year, Indiana; Cam Coleman, second year, Auburn.
All-purpose player — Kaytron Allen, fourth year, Penn State.
Kicker — Peyton Woodring, third year, Georgia.

Second Team All-Americans: Defense

Edge — T.J. Parker, third year, Clemson; Matayo Uiagalelei, third year, Oregon.
Tackles — Tim Keenan III, fifth year, Alabama; Christen Miller, fourth year, Georgia.
Linebackers — Taurean York, third year, Texas A&M; Harold Perkins Jr., fourth year, LSU; Aiden Fisher, fourth year, Indiana.
Cornerbacks — Chandler Rivers, fourth year, Duke; D’Angelo Ponds, third year, Indiana.
Safeties — Koi Perich, second year, Minnesota; KJ Bolden, second year, Georgia.
Defensive back — Jalon Kilgore, third year, South Carolina.
Punter — Ryan Eckley, fourth year, Michigan State.