ESPN names 2026 preseason All-America team as Texas leads with five selections
The sports broadcaster has released its annual roster of top players, highlighting Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, Ole Miss’ Lacy, and Texas wide receiver Jalen Coleman among the first-team honours.
ESPN has unveiled its 2026 preseason college football All-America team, identifying the nation's top players ahead of the upcoming season. Texas leads all programs with five first-team selections, followed by Georgia, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Texas Tech, which each have two. The list includes returning stars from the 2025 postseason team, such as Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore and Indiana offensive tackle Carter Smith, alongside new inclusions like Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and Texas wide receiver Jalen Coleman.
The Longhorns' dominance on the list is notable, particularly given that quarterback Arch Manning did not make the cut. Texas wide receiver Jalen Coleman, a former five-star recruit who transferred from Auburn, is among the five first-teamers. Coleman caught 93 passes for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns over his two seasons at Auburn and led the SEC with 14 contested catches as a sophomore. He joins offensive lineman Olu Fashanu, who stiff-armed the NFL draft to return for another season with the Red Raiders, although Fashanu is not listed in the top five Texas selections in the provided text, the text confirms five first-teamers for Texas including Coleman and lineman Goosby.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin took over as the Buckeyes' starter a year ago and immediately established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Prolifically accurate, his FBS-best 77% completion percentage last fall ranks third in NCAA history. Sayin threw for 3,610 yards and 42 touchdowns and flashed situational poise in his debut season. His third-down passing conversion rate of 47.8% trailed only those of USC's Jayden Maiava and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza among FBS quarterbacks with at least 250 attempts.
Ole Miss running back Lacy emerged as a superstar last fall after transferring to Ole Miss from Missouri. He finished second nationally in rushing touchdowns with 24 and third in rushing yards with 1,567. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound back turned down interest from LSU and others to remain with Ole Miss in 2026. Lacy was elusive, recording an FBS-best 109 forced missed tackles, and durable, with an FBS-best 306 carries.
The list also features significant contributions from other major programs. Florida running back Baugh put together a breakthrough sophomore season as the SEC's third-leading rusher with 1,170 yards. Georgia defensive lineman Bobo, who missed spring camp due to injury, is back for his final year of eligibility. Meanwhile, Indiana's Carter Smith, a consensus All-America honouree last fall, returns as one of the nation's elite pass protectors, having allowed just nine pressures in 997 snaps.
