The University of Texas Athletics has revealed that senior linebacker Rasheem Biles and junior edge rusher Colin Simmons have been placed on the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the award that honors the nation’s most outstanding defensive player.
Award Timeline
Biles, who transferred to Texas from Pitt in the spring, burst onto the scene last season by leading the nation in tackles for loss per game and earning first‑team honors on both the Walter Camp and Preseason All‑SEC lists.
Simmons, in his third year with the Longhorns, built on that momentum with a career‑high 12 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss and a string of performances that earned him multiple SEC Co‑Defensive Lineman of the Week selections, including a three‑sack outing against Kentucky.
Their inclusion continues a tradition of Texas defenders on the Nagurski watch list; former finalist Jahdae Barron was one of four semifinalists in 2024, marking the program’s first such recognition since 2014.
The finalists for the 2026 edition will be announced on November 19, and the award will be presented at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, North Carolina, on December 7.
Texas is slated to open the 2026 season against Texas State on September 5 at Darrell K Royal‑Texas Memorial Stadium, setting the stage for a defense that could contend for national acclaim.