Three Longhorns land on All-America preseason list

Austin (KXAN) — Good things come in threes for Longhorns football.

Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and EDGE Colin Simmons each earned first-team honors on the Walter Camp Preseason All-America list. Westlake alum defensive back Michael Taaffe landed a spot on the Second Team. Texas joins Alabama, Clemson, Indiana and Penn State as one of only five programs with three players selected.

This marks Hill’s second appearance on the All-American preseason list from Walter Camp in two seasons after being dubbed second team before 2024. The linebacker led Texas in tackles (103), tackles for loss (16.5) and forced fumbles (4) last season.

Hill gained national recognition for his performance against Oklahoma in 2024 being named Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the week, SEC Co-Defensive player of the week and compiling 11 tackles (seven solo) against the Sooners.

The third-year linebacker is a leader for the Longhorns on the defensive side of the ball who is projected by many as a high draft pick in 2026 if he declares for the NFL.

Simmons wasted no time making a name for himself as a freshman with Texas. The breakout EDGE became the first Longhorn to be chosen as the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year. He led all FBS freshman with nine total sacks coming up third in program single-season history.

Taaffe ranked second on the team in total tackles (78), interceptions (2) and pass break-ups (10). The former walk-on defensive back earned second team All-American from the Associated Press in his fourth season with the Longhorns.

Texas’ defense as a whole allowed the third fewest yards a game in college football last year.