It’s quite rare for a Heisman candidate to miss out on the top preseason lists. Arch Manning’s future in Texas remains questioned as it’s unclear if he will be on the team beyond 2025. Regardless, 10 of his teammates were named as some of the best in the conference.
Looking to change course compared to how last season ended, the Longhorns clearly have all the talent needed to go out and win a National Championship.
Arch Manning Left Off of All-SEC Preseason List
Ten Texas players made the All-SEC 2025 preseason list. That placed the Longhorns just one player behind Alabama and Georgia, which each had 11. Should Manning have made the list, Texas would’ve been in a tie for first place. August 19 marked the day the SEC announced these lists, which are voted on by league coaches.
The next closest team to Texas was Florida. The Gators had eight players make the prestigious preseason list. In total, five of the Longhorns’ ten players made the All-SEC First Team.
Preseason All-SEC Longhorns 🤘 pic.twitter.com/ZSiNiLwRFn
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) August 21, 2025
RB Quintrevion Wisner, OL DJ Campbell, DL Colin Simmons, LB Anthony Hill Jr., and DB Michael Taaffe were listed on the First Team. Shockingly, five of the six special teams positions went to Georgia.
DB Malik Muhammad and P Jack Bouwmeester made the Second Team. That left three spots on the Third Team occupied by OL Trevor Goosby, DL Trey Moore, and KOS Will Stone. The All-SEC Preseason List saw Garrett Nussmeier, LaNorris Sellers, and DJ Lagway all ranked higher than Manning.
The New Orleans graduate was 61/90 (67.8% completion) with 939 yards last season. He threw nine touchdowns to two interceptions and had four rushing touchdowns. His 108 rushing yards weren’t much, as most came from a massive 67-yard carry.
Florida’s Lagway is the lone QB that Manning had a chance of beating on the list. LSU’s Nussmeier is another standout Heisman candidate, one who is looking for redemption after a down year for the Tigers.
South Carolina’s Sellers drew a lot of attention last season as he led the Gamecocks to a 9-3 (5-3) record. All three of his losses came to Top 16 teams, but he led the team to six straight wins (three of them ranked) to end the season.
Manning’s lack of experience as a starter is the only reason for his absence from the All-SEC list. Last year, he had six pass attempts against Florida and Georgia. Nearly all his playing time came against UTSA, ULM, and Mississippi State. Of those teams, only one belongs to the SEC, and it’s one of the weaker teams in the conference.
