Sam Cozart, a freshman right‑hander for the Texas Longhorns, has been recognized as the nation’s top reliever by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). The accolade follows a season in which he posted a 1.65 earned‑run average and a 0.69 WHIP, figures that would top the country were he to meet the innings threshold.
A Reliever on the Cusp of History
Coach Jim Schlossnagle, who has guided the Longhorns for more than a decade, announced that Cozart will transition into the starting rotation for the upcoming season. The move reflects both confidence in the pitcher’s talent and a strategic need for depth as the team eyes another national title.
Joining Cozart in the bullpen will be fellow pitcher Dylan Volantis, a finalist for the NCBWA’s Stopper of the Year Award. Together they aim to help the Longhorns secure their seventh College World Series championship in Omaha, where the tournament’s intensity matches the stakes.
Depth and Optimism in the Bullpen
Schlossnagle also sounded a positive note about the rest of the relief corps, pointing to veterans such as Brett Crossland and Haiden Leffew as reliable options. Their combined experience, he said, gives the staff flexibility as the Longhorns navigate the demanding schedule that lies ahead.