PFF’s Preseason All-SEC Team Includes Four Longhorns originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Texas Longhorns undoubtedly have one of the most talented rosters in the country heading into the 2025 college football season. Therefore, it’s no surprise to see many preseason rankings littered with Texas players.
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PFF revealed its 2025 Preseason ALL-SEC team on Thursday and four Longhorns were included. Edge Colin Simmons, linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., safety Michael Taaffe, and cornerback Malik Muhammad earned a spot on the team.
Simmons was additionally named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year for the conference. “Simmons was a top-15 overall recruit and has somehow already exceeded expectations. The Texas native was the sixth-most-valuable edge defender in college football in 2024,” Max Chadwick said.
Texas’ star pass rusher also drew an admirable comparison to a former Texas A&M player. “Simmons’ elite combination of bend and advanced pass-rushing moves is reminiscent of Von Miller,” Chadwick stated.
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Jan 10, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns linebacker Colin Simmons (11) and Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) in action during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes at AT&T Stadium. (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
The Longhorns have several inexperienced players at key positions on offense so it’s no surprise that Texas’ defense gets their flowers here. ESPN college football analyst Greg McElroy even labeled Texas’ defense as No. 1 in the country ahead of the 2025 season.
We’ll find out quickly just how strong Texas’ defense is when they face Ohio State in the seasoner opener on Aug. 30.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
