Texas Freshmen Shine on Watch List | Texas Longhorns Football News

Texas football’s freshmen are heating up early, with three—linebacker Tyler Atkinson, wide receiver Jermaine Bishop Jr., and defensive end Richard Wesley—landing on the preseason watch list for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award. The Longhorns now tie Alabama, Michigan, and Ohio State with three players on the list, continuing a legacy after last year’s winner Colin Simmons. Atkinson, a Butkus Award-winning linebacker, Bishop Jr., a Mr. Texas Football standout, and Wesley, a top-rated DE, all bring elite hype. Semifinalists announced Nov. 4, finalists Dec. 2, winner revealed Dec. 28. Texas opens the 2026 season Sept. 5 vs. Texas State on ESPN. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/0ab20c1bb90da050