Three Longhorns Featured on ESPN’s Preseason All-American Teams

Just a little over than two weeks out from the start of the 2025 college football season, and ESPN has released its first and second preseason All-American teams. Texas tied with Notre Dame, Pitt, Ohio State and Penn State with the second most first-team selections with two. Clemson and Alabama each had three. 

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Third-year linebacker Anthony Hill and redshirt senior Michael Taaffe both made the first team list for the Horns, with true sophomore edge Colin Simmons making the second team. Simmons may be the most talented player who will suit up on defense in the burnt orange this year, but was competing for a first team spot against two top-10 projected picks in the 2026 NFL draft in Dylan Stewart and T.J. Parker.

Hill and Taaffe appropriately represent Texas on the first team as they are expected to be the leaders of the defense this year. Hill has been a bona fide stud since he walked on campus, including having his breakout game in a program-defining win against Alabama in 2023. Hill recorded two sacks and a forced fumble en route to a 34-24 Texas victory over the Crimson Tide. 

Taaffe began his career as a walk-on, but earned his stripes over the last three years, even earning AP All-America second team honors in 2024. Taaffe is expected to be the vocal leader of the defense and, as an Austin native often involved in community service, is the heart and soul of this Texas team. Taaffe brings the passion and leadership that every coach in America looks for.

Expectations for Simmons entering 2025 are through the roof. Last year he beat out Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Alabama’s Ryan Williams for the Shaun Alexander Award, given to the nation’s top true freshman – while not even in the starting eleven. As a freshman, Simmons recorded eight sacks and four forced fumbles and is looking to improve those numbers in the 2025 campaign. Simmons is already a projected top-five pick in the 2027 draft

With Taaffe and Hill anchoring the defense, and Simmons looking to break every record he can, the 2025 Longhorn defense might be even better than 2024, a defensive unit that was regarded by many as the best in the country.

First-team offense

QB: Cade Klubnik, Clemson
RB: Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame; Nick Singleton, Penn State
WR: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State; Ryan Williams, Alabama
TE: Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
OL: Spencer Fano, Utah; Kadyn Proctor, Alabama; Jake Slaughter, Florida; Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State; Ar’Maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M
AP: Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh

First-team defense

DE: Dylan Stewart, South Carolina; TJ Parker, Clemson
DT: Peter Woods, Clemson; LT Overton, Alabama
LB: Anthony Hill Jr., Texas; Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh; Gabe Jacas, Illinois
CB: Jermod McCoy, Tennessee; Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
S: Caleb Downs, Ohio State; Michael Taaffe, Texas
K: Dominic Zvada, Michigan; P: Brett Thorson, Georgia; KR: Barion Brown, LSU

Second-team offense

QB: Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
RB: Kaytron Allen, Penn State; Makhi Hughes, Oregon
WR: Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State; Antonio Williams, Clemson
TE: Max Klare, Ohio State
OL: Francis Mauigoa, Miami; Joe Brunner, Wisconsin; Parker Brailsford, Alabama; Cayden Green, Missouri; Kage Casey, Boise State
AP: Isaac Brown, Louisville

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Second-team defense

DE: Colin Simmons, Texas; Keldric Faulk, Auburn
DT: Christen Miller, Georgia; Rueben Bain, Miami
LB: Deontae Lawson, Alabama; Taurean York, Texas A&M; CJ Allen, Georgia
CB: Avieon Terrell, Clemson; Chandler Rivers, Duke
S: Koi Perich, Minnesota; KJ Bolden, Georgia
Specialists: K Will Ferrin, BYU; P Ryan Eckley, Michigan State; KR Kam Shanks, Arkansas