Latest news with #Longhorns'
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Longhorns duo Hill Jr., Lefau selected to Butkus Award watch list
As the college football season draws closer by the day, excitement is building for what the Texas Longhorns will accomplish. They will again be anchored by a stellar defense that has many familiar faces. On Wednesday, they received national recognition as Anthony Hill Jr. and Liona Lefau were honored on the preseason watch list for the 2025 Butkus Award. For Hill, it is the second straight year he has been chosen for the preseason watch list. That comes as no surprise after the numbers that he put up last year. The Ryan High School product led the team in tackles with 103 and tackles for a loss with 16.5. He also finished third in sacks with eight. He was one of the best players at his position and in college football. While the Kansas native continued to be a veteran anchor, he got some help from Lefau. The Laie, Hawaii native played in all 16 games last season, making 10 starts. He made the most of his opportunities with 63 tackles, which was the fifth most on the team. The talented linebacker also added two sacks and an interception to his resume. With Hill and Lefau back in the mix, the Longhorns' defense is in good hands. They made life difficult for quarterbacks last year, which should continue. Although Hill and Lefau are focused on bringing a national title to Austin, they wouldn't mind adding more hardware to their trophy cases. The Dick Butkus Award is given annually to the best linebacker in the nation. Since 2004, the only two Longhorns to take home the award were Derrick Johnson in 2004 and Sergio Kindle in 2009. Hill and Lefau are more than capable of ending that streak and now have added motivation. On November 4, Hill and Lefau will find out if they are semifinalists before the finalists are revealed on November 25. The winner will then be announced by December 10, before being honored at a ceremony at the University of Illinois' Memorial Stadium in early 2026. Hill and Lefau are hoping their travel plans will include a trip to Memorial Stadium.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Longhorns trio named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list
During the 2024 campaign, defense was a strength for the Texas Longhorns. That is expected to continue this upcoming season due to a talented core that includes Colin Simmons, Michael Taaffe, and Anthony Hill Jr. On Tuesday, the trio earned national recognition when they were named to the Bronko Nagurski preseason watch list. For Hill, this is familiar territory. The Longhorns' star EDGE was also named to the preseason watch list last year. He showed why during the regular season, leading the team in total tackles with 103 and forced fumbles with four. Due to his play, the Kansas native added to his trophy case. That included SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week accolades on Oct.14th and Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week honors on Oct.15th. For Simmons, this is the first time his name has been connected to the Bronco Nagurski award. He is coming off a stellar freshman season in which he led the Longhorns in sacks with nine. He finished second on the team in quarterback hurries with nine and forced fumbles with three. The Texas native made history as he became the first Longhorn to win the Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year award. Rounding out the list is Taaffe, who has become one of the best defensive backs in the nation. The former walk-on started every game last season, finishing with 78 total tackles. He also made life difficult for quarterbacks with 10 pass deflections. Over the last few years, he has become a staple in Steve Sarkisian's defense and turned himself into a legitimate NFL prospect. While the Longhorns trio has made headlines with their play, they do face the competition. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is presented annually to the nation's top defensive player, and rankings will change over the next few months. Luckily for Texas, they have a good track record with this honor. Last year, Jahdae Barron was one of four finalists. In 2014, former Longhorns star Malcom Brown was a finalist, and in 2008, Brian Orakpo took home the honors. Regardless of how the award plays out, the Longhorns' talented trio is poised to do big things and build on what have already been unforgettable college careers. This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list includes three Texas Longhorns
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Longhorns trio named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list
During the 2024 campaign, defense was a strength for the Texas Longhorns. That is expected to continue this upcoming season due to a talented core that includes Colin Simmons, Michael Taaffe, and Anthony Hill Jr. On Tuesday, the trio earned national recognition when they were named to the Bronko Nagurski preseason watch list. For Hill, this is familiar territory. The Longhorns' star EDGE was also named to the preseason watch list last year. He showed why during the regular season, leading the team in total tackles with 103 and forced fumbles with four. Due to his play, the Kansas native added to his trophy case. That included SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week accolades on Oct.14th and Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week honors on Oct.15th. For Simmons, this is the first time his name has been connected to the Bronco Nagurski award. He is coming off a stellar freshman season in which he led the Longhorns in sacks with nine. He finished second on the team in quarterback hurries with nine and forced fumbles with three. The Texas native made history as he became the first Longhorn to win the Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year award. Rounding out the list is Taaffe, who has become one of the best defensive backs in the nation. The former walk-on started every game last season, finishing with 78 total tackles. He also made life difficult for quarterbacks with 10 pass deflections. Over the last few years, he has become a staple in Steve Sarkisian's defense and turned himself into a legitimate NFL prospect. While the Longhorns trio has made headlines with their play, they do face the competition. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is presented annually to the nation's top defensive player, and rankings will change over the next few months. Luckily for Texas, they have a good track record with this honor. Last year, Jahdae Barron was one of four finalists. In 2014, former Longhorns star Malcom Brown was a finalist, and in 2008, Brian Orakpo took home the honors. Regardless of how the award plays out, the Longhorns' talented trio is poised to do big things and build on what have already been unforgettable college careers.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Longhorns duo tabbed to Maxwell Award watch list
With the college football season just a few months away, the Texas Longhorns have been popular when it comes to preseason awards. That continued on Monday when the watch list for the 89th Maxwell Award was announced. Two Longhorns stars, quarterback Arch Manning and running back Quintrevion Wisner, made the cut. Following the duo's success last season, their latest honor comes as no surprise. Manning, who will be entering his third college, will be the Longhorns' starting QB. Last season, the New Orleans native got an extended look when Quinn Ewers was injured and did not disappoint. He completed 61 of his 91 passes for 939 yards and nine touchdowns. He was also a threat on the ground with 108 yards on 25 carries. As Manning excelled under center, Wisner was a force out of the backfield. During the 2024 campaign, Wisner took his game to another level. He set career highs in rushing yards with 1,064 and touchdowns with five. After only averaging 5.2 yards a game the year before, that number skyrocketed to 70.9. Regardless of who the Longhorns played, Wisner showed why he is one of the most talented backs in the SEC. With Wisner and Manning back in the mix, expectations are high for what the Longhorns' offense will accomplish. Manning has the potential to be one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, and Wisner should continue to see a high snap count. Last season, they showed they could be a lethal scoring combination. While the winner of the Maxwell Award won't be announced for months, to will be cutdown to three finalists on Nov.25. The winner of the 89th Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 11. Each year the award is given to the College player of the year. Although Wisner's and Manning's goal is to bring a national title to Texas, some extra hardware would not be a reason to celebrate. Manning and Wisner are well-positioned to make that dream a reality. If they can meet expectations, then they should be among the semifinalists at the very least. The last time two Longhorns were in the running was in 2023, when Quinn Ewers and Xavier Worthy were recognized.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Duke highlights Longhorns basketball non-conference schedule reveals
plan accordingly 🤘📆#HookEm With the college basketball season quickly approaching, it's time for fans to start marking their calendars. On Thursday, the Texas Longhorns men's basketball team unveiled its non-conference schedule. The Longhorns' regular season is full of marquee matchups that fans will not want to miss. Texas will open its season on November 4th in the Dick Vitale Invitational against Duke at Charlotte's Spectrum Center. It will mark the first meeting between the two historic programs in eight years. Four days later, the Longhorns will begin a four-game homestand. During that stretch, Lafayette, Fairleigh Dickinson, Kansas City, and Rider will make the trip to Austin. The Nov 18 matchup against Rider will be the Longhorns' first-ever game against the Broncos. Starting on Nov.24, Texas will hit the road for the Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. Although pairings have not been announced, it will be a good early-season test. The other programs participating in the three-day tournament are Arizona State, Boise State, Chaminade, NC State, Seton Hall, USC, and Washington State. Following the Maui Invitational, Texas will return to the Moody Center for the ACC/SEC Challenge. They will take on Virginia on December 3rd. Five days later, they will welcome Southern to town. The Longhorns have only faced the Jaguars once in program history and emerged with a win. After that brief two-home stand, Texas will go on a tour of the East Coast. That will include a highly anticipated match against UConn on December 12th. They will also face Le Moyne and Maryland Eastern Shore during that trip. That will mark the first matchups in men's basketball against both the Dolphins and the Hawks. While fans still have to wait a few months to see Sean Miller and the reshaped roster in action, they can finally start deciding which games to attend to show their support.
