ESPN unveiled its 2026 college football preseason All‑America team on Tuesday, a list compiled by analysts Eli Lederman and Max Olson that spotlights the programs and players expected to dominate the upcoming season.
Texas emerged as the most represented school, landing five athletes on the first team, a tally that outpaces every other program. The Longhorns’ honorees include edge rusher Colin Simmons, quarterback Julian Sayin, and three other contributors who helped shape the roster.
Among the returning stars from the previous year’s postseason team, cornerback Leonard Moore of Notre Dame earned a repeat first‑team nod, while Ohio State’s offensive tackle Carter Smith and receiver Jeremiah Smith also received first‑team recognition.
Julian Sayin, a redshirt freshman, was highlighted as the top quarterback after posting 3,610 passing yards and 42 touchdowns in his breakout season, a performance that placed him ahead of other elite signal callers.
The selection excluded Texas quarterback Arch Manning, despite his 3,562 yards and 36 touchdowns in 2025, a decision that contrasted with the Walter Camp Foundation’s list, which included Manning, and The Sporting News’ ranking, which placed Trinidad Chambliss of Ole Miss at the top.
Herbstreit’s Take
Analyst Kirk Herbstreit praised Chambliss as the embodiment of the sport’s rising talent, emphasizing the player’s impact beyond statistics and noting the puzzling omission from ESPN’s first‑team.
The tight end position saw Texas Tech’s Terrance Carter Jr., LSU’s Trey’Dez Green, and Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy vying for spots, with Hardy initially placed on the second team by ESPN despite being a Walter Camp first‑team All‑American in 2025.
Overall, the preseason team reflects both the consensus among traditional selectors and the unique perspectives of ESPN’s analysts, setting the stage for a competitive year ahead.