Arch Manning, 2 other Longhorns named preseason first-team All-Americans

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Arch Manning hype train continues to chug down the tracks.

The Sporting News is the latest national publication to shovel coal into the engine, naming Manning a preseason first-team All-American. He’s played 12 games in his Texas career with two starts

against UTSA, a 7-6 team last season, and Mississippi State, which finished last in the 16-team Southeastern Conference at 0-8 and 2-10 overall.

“Manning is worth the hype,” The Sporting News’ release said. “We’ve been all-in all summer. Why stop now?”

Longhorns Anthony Hill Jr. and Michael Taaffe were both named to the first-team defense. Both are coming off All-American seasons a year ago and are key pieces to the Texas defense that many believe could be the best in the country.

Round Rock graduate Leonard Moore, now a sophomore cornerback for Notre Dame, was also named to the first-team defense. He was named the Football Writers Association of America’s defensive freshman of the year last season.

Westlake graduate and Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik was named to the second team offense, along with Texas sophomore running back Quintrevion Wisner. Longhorns sophomore edge rusher Colin Simmons was named to the second-team defense. Wisner is the lone returning SEC running back to rush for more than 1,000 yards last season, and Simmons was named the Shaun Alexander freshman of the year award winner last year.