A bold warning about recruiting momentum: Freshman All-Americans often set the tone for Steve Sarkisian’s Texas program, and this year’s wave is no exception. While the FWAA Freshman All-American team won’t be announced for another month, we already have four full classes of evidence showing how Texas’ first-year standouts translate into long-term impact for the 40 Acres.
2021 – Xavier Worthy
Worthy exploded onto the national scene in his Texas debut, establishing himself as a household name in college football. He tallied four 100-yard games, including a standout 9-catch, 261-yard performance against Oklahoma that yielded two touchdowns in a loss. His rookie season finished with 62 receptions for 981 yards and 12 touchdowns, vaulting him into Texas record books. Worthy faced a sophomore slump but rebounded in 2023 as both a wide receiver and an elite punt returner, posting 75 catches for 1,014 yards and five touchdowns, plus 22 punt returns for 371 yards and a touchdown. He went on to be selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Notably, Andrew Mukuba was also a Freshman All-American at Clemson in 2021, illustrating that early accolades can accompany future pro-caliber players across programs.
2022 – Kelvin Banks
If Banks isn’t regarded as the best offensive lineman in school history, he’s certainly in the conversation for that honor. He collected major hardware—Outland Trophy, Lombardi Award, Jacobs Blocking Trophy—and earned Unanimous All-America honors in 2024. He also claimed second-team All-America honors in 2023 after his Freshman All-America nod in 2022. The Longhorns consistently trusted him at left tackle throughout his career, and he eventually became the ninth overall pick in the most recent NFL draft. It’s worth noting that Trey Moore earned Freshman All-America recognition this year for his standout work at UTSA as part of the broader trend of impactful freshman linemen.
2023 – Anthony Hill
Hill earned Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and was a Freshman All-American in 2023, contributing to a prolific 67-tackle, 8.0-TFL, 5.0-sack season. He followed that with a 2024 campaign highlighted by 16.5 tackles for loss and one interception, helping him secure second-team All-America honors from four of the five major selectors. In 2025, Hill shifted into more of a true middle linebacker role and remained productive with 69 tackles, 7.0 TFL, 4.0 sacks, two interceptions, a fumble recovery, and three forced fumbles. He declared for the upcoming draft, making it unlikely he’ll appear in the bowl game.
2024 – Colin Simmons
Simmons matched his freshman-year productivity with strong 2025 numbers, earning second-team All-America honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation. He appeared in 16 games as a freshman All-American and played 12 games in 2025, cementing himself as one of the nation’s most feared defenders. Texas’ recent rise on defense was propelled by his lines-of-scrimmage impact, including 41 tackles with 13.5 for loss and 11 sacks, plus a fumble recovery and three forced fumbles in 2025.
Who’s next?
A consistent starter tends to accompany Freshman All-American honors. Lance Jackson showed solid initial production, while Graceson Littleton earned extensive field time, finishing with 41 tackles, 4.0 TFL, and two interceptions at a demanding position in Texas’ scheme. If Texas wants to sustain this streak under Sarkisian, the best chance of keeping it alive is to have Littleton earn a starting role next season, continuing the pattern of early impact translating into lasting success.
