As the 2026 season approaches, fans and writers near the football programs at Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and a slew of other schools in the state have some pressing questions.
How good will the Longhorns, Aggies and Red Raiders be? How many teams in the state will qualify for the 12-team College Football Playoff? Will Texas State impress during his first Pac-12 season? And of course, who wins the national ****** le and Heisman Trophy?
Four award-winning sports columnists from Hearst's Texas news outlets - the Austin American-Statesman, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Dallas Morning News - tackle these questions and more.
Here's what they had to say about the 2026 season:
Cam Coleman joins Ryan Wingo as part of an explosive wide receiver group for Texas. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)

#state #statesman

Who will be the Salem-Keizer area's top boys cross-country runner in 2026?
It's your turn to vote.
The Statesman Journal has worked across fall high school sports to identify some of the top Salem-Keizer area athletes heading into the 2026 OSAA season. After football, girls soccer, boys soccer and girls volleyball, it's time for boys cross country.
So who will be the Salem-Keizer area's top boys cross-country runner in 2026? Here are the nominees, brought to you by Maps Credit Union.
Kayden Bejar, South Salem

#Salem #keizer #runner #Soccer

Who's got the best high school football in the country? Texas, Florida and California have each long laid stake to that claim, but it's rare that we see good teams from those states play each other. But that's what's happening at Chaparral Stadium in Friday's much anticipated 2026 season opener between the Westlake Chaparrals and the Inglewood (Calif.) Sentinels.
Westlake is one of Texas' top programs. Inglewood is packed with FBS talent, including two defensive linemen committed to Texas A&M and Oklahoma and a defensive back who'll play at Cal. And Chaps quarterback Patton Jones is making his first start against a defense that had seven sacks in Inglewood's season opener last week.
Anderson receiver Kyler Sharp (15) makes a catch over Johnson defensive back Zavier Antoine (31) during the game at Hays High School on Thursday, August. 27, 2026 in Kyle, Texas. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)
But that's not the only big game of note tonight. While the big Lake Travis vs. Dripping Springs opener was canceled, there are still a couple of high-profile matchups that we're watching, including Weiss at Round Rock, a matchup of two of the American-Statesman's top 10 preseason power poll teams; Cedar Park and A&M Consolidated as the Timberwolves make their Class 6A debut; and Vandegrift at San Antonio Brennan, a matchup of two teams expected to win their Class 6A districts.
We're at three games tonight. Colby Gordon is covering the Weiss-Round Rock game at Dragon Stadium, Caleb Yum is at Westlake vs. Inglewood, watching all those college prospects at Chaparral Stadium, and Cory Mull is at Wrangler Stadium in Liberty Hill, where he's watching the Legacy Ranch Wranglers - Central Texas' newest high school - play their first varsity game ever at home against Manor New Tech.

#texas #westlake #school #play

Texas high school football is back. Several UIL games across the state took place last night, but the bulk of the action is Friday.
Headlining the games in the Austin area is Westlake vs. Inglewood (California) but there are dozens of contests to check out tonight.
Check out all the scores here:
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This article originally published at High school football Week 1: Live scores from game across Texas.

#check

Three Texas football players were named to this season's preseason Sean Alexander Freshman of the Year Award watch list. Among them, linebacker Tyler Arkinson, wide receiver Jermaine Bishop Jr., and edge rusher Richard Wesley. The Longhorns' three selections to the watch list leads college football.
Currently defensive leader Colin Simmons, an edge rusher, was named to the watch list in 2024.
Simmons was Texas' first player to make the list that year.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: Why Sean Miller doesn't lament missed box out that led to Purdue's Sweet 16 win vs Texas

#sean

The American-Statesman takes a look at Class 6A districts around Central Texas as the high school football season gets underway.
1. Lake Travis (14-1 last year, DI state semifinalist): The Cavs graduated 18 starters, but there's never a lack of talent. DBs Luca Antoun and Jeremiah Strong and LB Owen Aird lead what should be one of the area's best defenses.
This video created with the ***** istance of AI.
2. Vandegrift (12-2, DII state semifinalist): New QB Gavin Koester paces an offense that should thrive running the ball, and the Vipers are deep with talent at all three levels on defense.
3. Westlake (7-4, DII area round): There are more question marks than in the past decade for the Chaps. But like Lake Travis, Westlake always has talent. Wylie Nichols is one of Central Texas' better defensive backs.

#texas

The Southeastern Conference recently announced its annual Preseason Coaches All-SEC team. On its roster this season were 11 Longhorns, which tied with Georgia for honorees named to this year's roster. Among Texas' first-team picks: linebacker Rasheem Biles, who joined Texas after transferring out of Pittsburgh early this past offseason; wide receiver Cam Coleman, who left Auburn for Texas via the portal earlier this year; return specialist Ryan Niblett, but as a returner; offensive lineman Trevor Goosby; and edge rusher Colin Simmons. Meanwhile, on the preason All-SEC's second-team we saw quarterback Arch Manning; offensive lineman Brandon Baker, wide receiver and running back Ryan Niblett (as an all-purpose); wide receiver Ryan Wingo; running back Hollywood Smothers; defensive back Jelani McDonald; and long snapper Trey Dubuc.
Only LSU came near Texas and Georgia's dominance of this season's preseason honoree numbers.
LSU tied with Texas for the most first-team honorees, with five.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: Steve Sarkisian expresses indifference about Texas signing an NFL castoff

#texas #team #back #longhorns

Texas football standouts Rasheem Biles and Colin Simmons have wracked up preseason accolades throughout the preseason, and most recently, that includes both players being named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list, the award's committee announced this week. It's the second consecutive season that Biles, a senior who joined Texas after transferring out of Pittsburgh's program earlier this offseason, and Simmons, a junior, that made the cut for the award's preseason watch list honor.
The award is given to each season's top defensive player in college football.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: Texas college football in 12 questions: A 2026 season primer
Austin American-Statesman: 4 bold takes on Arch Manning's season

#Football #simmons #austin #award

Four Texas football players found their names on this season's AP All-America preseason team. That includes offensive tackle Trevor Goosby, wide receiver Cam Coleman, linebacker Rasheem Biles, and edge rusher Colin Simmons—all of whom have become familiar names listed on this season's preseason watch list cohorts so far.
All four Texas players were named to the AP's preseason first team.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: With Trevor Goosby out, what's next for Texas football's offensive line
247Sports: How the Texas Longhorns selected in the 2026 NFL Draft and undrafted free agents are doing in training camp

#goosby #players

Earlier this offseason, Texas football hired former Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops as a special ***** istant.
Safe to say, Stoops' brother, former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, isn't happy.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: Several Longhorn linebackers sit as Texas gets through first scrimmage
Houston Chronicle: Defense shines despite flu bug thinning out ranks at UT football scrimmage

#head #scrimmage #earlier

Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons is among those to land on this year's Allstate Wuerffel Trophy watch list.
Each season, the award honors the sport's most impactful community leaders.
Former Texas safety Michael Taaffe won the Wuerffel Trophy last season for his work with Texas Against Fentanyl; among Longhorns to receive the annual honor before him, Sam Acho won the award back in 2010.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: Why was an NBA coach asked to speak to the Texas football team?

#longhorns #award

Once valued at an estimated $6.8 million in name, image, and likeness dollars, Texas quarterback Arch Manning was ranked at No. 1 nationally at the time. Of course, that was before Manning had barely taken a snap under center at the college level; Manning saw only limited playing time in his first two seasons. And as the hype around the incoming redshirt junior has evolved in recent years, so has his NIL ranking. As it stands, Manning is currently ranked No. 20 nationally in On3's NIL rankings index. He's currently worth an estimated $2.5 million.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: How did new Texas RB Raleek Brown earn his 'Band-Aid' nickname?
Austin American-Statesman: Which Texas football players have a case to be the fastest Longhorn?
Austin American-Statesman: Arch Manning, Colin Simmons and the complete Texas Longhorns roster

#longhorns

Tosin Adarabioyo has joked that it's nice not to be the only 'unc' in the Chelsea squad, following the arrivals of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson.
Chelsea have secured the signings ofPremier League veterans Welbeck and Henderson this summer, who have been brought in to add experience to the dressing room.
At 35 and 36, Welbeck and Henderson have amassed 864Premier League appearances between them, with each winning a wealth of major honours. The new recruits will offer leadership to a Chelsea squad that was the youngest in the Premier League last season.
Despite being just 28, Tosin had earned the nickname 'unc' at Chelsea as the oldest member of an inexperienced squad. Abbreviated from uncle, it's an affectionate term used to reference older family members, friends or members of the community.
Speaking about the new signings, Tosin joked that he's just glad to have been relieved of his status as the club's elder statesman.

#henderson #joked

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The new Michigan football staff inherited a former five-star with a ton of upside, but one who hasn't seen the field yet in a real capacity.
The only time that offensive tackle Andrew Babalola suited up in a winged helmet on the field at The Big House in front of fans was in the 2025 spring game, but he tore his ACL in fall camp, precluding him from seeing game action in his freshman year. Before his injury, he was pushing Evan Link for the left tackle position, and it was in no way a decided contest between the true freshman and the elder statesman.
At Big Ten media days last week, head coach Kyle Whittingham gushed about Babalola's potential, noting that he has similar traits to his two first-round draft pick tackles, Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu. Offensive line coach Jim Harding agrees with the ****** sment, but also notes, there's a lot of work it's going to take for him to get there.
"We recruited him at the last place. I think he's a really talented kid," Harding said. "Now, he's also he hasn't played football in darn near 12 months. Tomorrow will be the first time he puts shoulder pads on in 12 months. Two days ago was the first time he put a helmet on in nearly 12 months. So could he potentially -- I think there's a lot of guys in that room that can be high draft picks and things like that. But Andrew would be one of them, and we'll just see how he develops and see how he gets back to what I think I saw on the fall camp (tape) last year."
The encouraging news is that two practices in, Babalola has been a full go in both. In order to get an idea of what he's capable of, just like Whittingham, Harding went back to his high school, spring ball, and fall camp film and liked what he saw. But now, he's going to have to get back into form, given that, as Harding noted, Babalola hasn't played football in a year.

#babalola #Football #time #first

Who will be the Salem-Keizer area's most impactful wide receiver/tight end this year?
You get to choose.
The 2026 OSAA high school football season is nearing its begin and programs around the area are starting to work out what their offenses will look like. Wide receivers and tight ends with all-conference, all-state and state championship accolades are returning to their respective programs, and several newcomers are looking to burst onto the scene.
The Statesman Journal is working across the football field to decide who the most impactful players in the Salem-Keizer area will be. After beginning with quarterbacks, it's time for wide receviers and tight ends.
Here are the nominees. The list is sponsored by Maps Credit Union.

#keizer #impactful #state

A rebuild was always on the cards on Tyneside this summer, not least in the goalkeeping department.
Leaky Newcastle kept just eight clean sheets in the Premier League last season and conceded 55 goals, 15th overall with only relegated Burnley, West Ham and Wolves plus Leeds and Tottenham below them.
Newcastle's outfield players clearly did not offer enough protection, but goalkeeper Nick Pope made a handful of significant errors leading to goals while Aaron Ramsdale never fully convinced during his loan spell and has since returned to Southampton.
A new number one was therefore a priority and Newcastle have once again looked to the continent.
The club have mainly targeted players aged 20 and under from abroad, having already recruited Jaouen, Sean Steur, Bazoumana Toure and Aladji Bamba, so Lukas Lukas Hornicek will feel like something of an elder statesman in comparison.

#lukas #leaky #league #west

Who's going to be the most impactful high school quarterback in the Salem-Keizer area this fall?
It's time for you to decide.
The 2026 OSAA high school football season is rapidly approaching and teams across the Willamette Valley have retooled and refocused for an exciting season. Area quarterbacks return with accolades spanning from all-state to all-conference, and a handful of local transfers make for an intriguing year ahead.
The Statesman Journal will be working across the football field to decide who the most impactful players in each position will be this season, starting with the quarterbacks.
Without further ado, here are the nominees. Our list is sponsored by Maps Credit Union.

#high

TAMPA, Fla. – Steve Sarkisian broke some news Thursday at the SEC's media days when he announced that blue-chip defensive back recruit John Meredith reclassified from the 2027 class to 2026 and will join Texas football for the upcoming football season.
Meredith, a 6-foot-2, 188-pound cornerback, was ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect in the nation for 2027, per 247 Sports. He played last season at Trinity High School in the Fort Worth suburbs but tried to transfer to defending state champion North Crowley in the offseason. Earlier this month, the UIL declared Meredith ineligible at North Crowley but said he could play at Trinity.
Sign up for the Daily Briefing from the Austin American-Statesman. Start your day with the must-read headlines from Austin's most trusted news source.
This article originally published at Texas football: DB John Meredith reclassifies from 2027 class, joins Longhorns for 2026.

#texas #trinity #class #season

TAMPA, Fla - This week, former Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Cole Hutson moved closer to a return to the field.
According to multiple reports, Hutson has been granted a temporary restraining order in his battle with the NCAA. The order would allow Hutson to resume football activities in preparation for the 2026 season.
Attempts Thursday by the American-Statesman to reach Hutson's attorney, David Ovard, were not successful. Ovard, though, did tell 247Sports that "the court is granting the temporary restraining order and setting the injunction for a hearing, and we are working on this date."
More: How NCAA's 5-year eligibility rule could affect Texas football, other college programs
At the heart of this legal saga is the NCAA's eligibility model that was reworked earlier this summer. The NCAA now permits five years of eligibility for all of its athletes, but a participant's eligibility clock now begins no later than the academic year following their 19th birthday. This overrode the previous rule of college athletics, which allowed four years of eligibility but did not penalize redshirts, delayed entries and other situations that may warrant a waiver.

#texas #Football

Not even a week after former Texas offensive lineman Cole Hutson filed for an age-based request for an additional season of eligibility after he was thought to have used up his four seasons at the conclusion of 2025, the NCAA has announced its decision to side with Hutson, who played in 48 games during his time at Texas, including 23 starts; throughout his era on the Forty Acres, Hutson spent time at guard and center. Prior to Hutson’s legal time filing the lawsuit requesting a temporary injunction last Friday, the former Texas starter was set to attend the Dallas Cowboys rookie minicamp after he wasn’t chosen earlier this year during the NFL Draft.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: Texas legend will share his testimony on Netflix documentary
Austin American-Statesman: How much do UT game tickets cost? Hint, Ohio State is pricey.
247Sports: The Insider: Horns247 goes one-on-one with college football ****** yst Greg McElroy on Texas, the 2026 SEC race

#texas #former #ncaa

Marcus Spears Jr.'s commitment to Texas basketball this week was enough to ***** p the Longhorns' current recruiting class to No. 6 nationally, according to the latest Rivals Industry Ranking. As noted by On3, "Spears Jr. is ranked as Rivals' No. 10 overall prospect, No. 2 power forward, and No. 1 player in Texas in the 2026 class. The Rivals Industry Ranking labels Spears Jr. as the No. 7 overall prospect, the No. 2 power forward, and the No. 1 player in Texas." Spears Jr. is currently rated as a unanimous five-star recruit across all three recruiting services.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: Former Texas men's basketball Chendall Weaver joins NCAA lawsuit
Houston Chronicle: Bohls: Texas loses a baseball coach to A&M, and two more years of Arch Manning?
247Sports: Commitment from forward Marcus Spears Jr. makes Texas a Final Four contender in 2026-27 season

The Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and the Peach Bowl announced this week that Texas football head coach Steve Sarkisian is among this year’s 20 names included on its annual preseason watch list. The award “celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd’s coaching philosophy.”
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: Another heartbreak: Volts fall 7-5 despite Leighann Goode’s 1st homer
Dallas Morning News: Texas Tech’s McGuire doubles down on his desire to immediately renew rivalry with Texas
247Sports: The First Word: It’s Sean Miller’s time to capture the Final Four appearance that’s eluded him for 22 years

247Sports recently reported that Texas football's Trevor Goosby is playing a role in helping raise funding to combat childhood heart disease. The offensive lineman's mission to give back draws from his own bout with Atrial Septal Defect, or ASD, which is defined as a congenital heart defect that increases the amount of blood flowing through the lungs and causes symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath and irregular heartbeat.
Goosby underwent open heart surgery at age 16.
"It just means everything," Goosby said, according to 247Sports. "Just because of, I guess I would say, how successful I've been — I'm a humble guy, so I don't like to talk about it too much. But, just being able to use my platform for good and use my platform to bring awareness to things like this, stuff that isn't talked about as much."
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: Texas Baseball Transfer Tracker: Which players are coming in, going

Ahead of what’s anticipated to be an above average success for the Longhorns throughout the 2026 college football season, five Texas football players were among those listed as a preseason All-Americans, the Walter Camp Football Foundation announced earlier today. On the foundation’s first-team list were Texas roster members such as quarterback Arch Manning, ffensive lineman Trevor Goosby, defensive lineman Colin Simmons, and linebacker Rasheem Biles, while on the second-team, there was receiver Cam Coleman.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: What Arch Manning learned from Julian Sayin, CJ Carr, others at quarterback camp
Austin American-Statesman: What 3 things stood out about Arch Manning at Manning Passing Academy?
247Sports: Texas baseball loses first baseman Ashton Larson to transfer portal

If, in the end, things go sideways at quarterback, then the Vikings will need to hit reset going into 2027. Quite possibly, that will involve moving on from Kevin O’Connell, but that’s a bit of speculation for a different day.
Who would the passer be to compete for the job if things fizzle?
Right now, Kyler Murray is looking to overcome J.J. McCarthy for the QB1 job. Next up is Carson Wentz, an elder statesman who is in town as an ideal QB3. Wentz can get inserted with essentially zero preparation before doing a nice job; Minnesota values that reality. Otherwise, Max Brosmer is the young fella being developed slowly, but his likeliest spot is on the practice squad.
A future where none of these passers are around beyond the current year is unlikely but not impossible.
In March of 2025, Minnesota said goodbye to Sam Darnold; Seattle then said **** o to Sam Darnold. The rest is history (as they say).

Texas Athletics has a lot to brag about at the moment. In a news update, Texas Athletics was able to boast about earning “three NCAA Championships, seven top-three and 13 top-10 NCAA finishes, while winning a league-best six Southeastern Conference ***** les” over the 2025-2026 academic year, including Texas baseball’s recent trip to the College World Series.
More from Texas Athletics:
“Texas produced 11 top-five and 13 top-10 team finishes at the NCAA Championships during the recent academic year. The 11 top-five performances marked the second-most in school history, trailing only the 12 recorded in 2021-22. The 13 top-10 efforts tied for the second-most in school history, just one shy of the record 14 in 2021-22. The Longhorns have registered a total of 60 top-five and 78 top-10 NCAA team finishes during the last six years.”
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: What head coach is joining Texas softball as its top ***** istant?

The 2026 OSAA high school spring sports season is at the finish line and several Salem-Keizer area athletes have closed their respective seasons with state championship hardware across multiple sports.
Every week, you get to vote for the Statesman Journal’s Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Maps Credit Union.
Here are the nominees for this week’s boys Athlete of the Week.
Vinny Arnold, North Marion track and field
Caden Druliner, Silverton track and field

The 2026 OSAA high school spring sports season is at the finish line and several Salem-Keizer area athletes have closed their respective seasons with state championship hardware across multiple sports.
Every week, you get to vote for the Statesman Journal’s Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Maps Credit Union.
Here are the nominees for this week’s girls Athlete of the Week.
Addie Bishop, Regis softball
Makenna Burns, Cascade track and field

Crosshill Christian baseball player Miles Lute is the winner of the Maps Credit Union high school boys Athlete of the Week, as voted by Statesman Journal readers.
More: Crosshill athlete wins Maps Credit Union girls Athlete of the Week
A sophomore, Lute posted a hit, scored two runs, pitched five innings and struck out seven batters May 29 in the Eagles' 8-2 win over Country Christian in the Class 2A/1A state quarterfinals.
Lute received 57.55% of the reader poll votes. Dallas track and field athlete Bertram Latta was second (39.05%).
Here are the other nominees.