Breaking News! ESPN’s ‘Way-Too-Early’ 2025 All-American Team Features Only One .
ESPN’s ‘Way-Too-Early’ 2025 All-American Team Features Only One### **ESPN’s ‘Way-Too-Early’ 2025 All-American Team Features Only One Texas Longhorn** **Austin, TX – February 11, 2025** – ESPN has released its annual "Way-Too-Early" 2025 All-American team, and to the surprise of many Texas fans, only one Longhorn made the list. Despite Texas' strong finish in the 2024 college football season and high expectations for the upcoming campaign, the national sports outlet included just one Longhorn player among its early projections for the nation’s top players. The lone Texas representative? Star offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., who was named to the First-Team offense. While Banks' inclusion was expected given his dominant performance last season, the absence of other Longhorns has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike. ### **Texas’ Rising Profile Overlooked?** The Longhorns ended the 2024 season as one of the premier programs in college football, making a deep run in the College Football Playoff and solidifying themselves as a national powerhouse. With head coach Steve Sarkisian continuing to elevate the program’s recruiting and development, many expected multiple Texas players to be recognized in early preseason accolades. Quarterback Arch Manning, who is expected to take the reins as the full-time starter in 2025, was notably absent from the list, despite his growing reputation as one of the most promising young signal-callers in the country. Similarly, standout linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and wide receiver Johntay Cook II were both left off, despite strong finishes to last season and the likelihood that they will be key contributors in 2025. ### **ESPN’s Selection Criteria and Longhorn Fan Reactions** ESPN’s early All-American projections typically factor in returning production, past performance, and NFL potential, but the list is still largely speculative. Many Texas fans believe their team was unfairly overlooked, especially when compared to other powerhouse programs that placed multiple players on the list. For example, Georgia and Ohio State each had three selections, while Alabama had two. Michigan, coming off a national championship, saw multiple players recognized despite losing significant talent to the NFL Draft. Texas fans took to social media to voice their displeasure, with some calling the list “disrespectful” and others questioning the methodology behind the selections. *"It’s crazy how Texas is finally back in the national spotlight, yet ESPN keeps underrating us,"* one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter). *"We have more than one guy who will be All-Americans next year."* ### **Kelvin Banks Jr.: The Lone Longhorn** While the perceived snub of other Texas players is frustrating to fans, there’s no denying that Kelvin Banks Jr. deserved his spot. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound tackle has been a dominant force since stepping onto the field as a freshman and has continued to establish himself as one of the best offensive linemen in the country. A projected top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Banks has been praised for his elite pass-blocking skills, strength, and ability to neutralize even the best defensive linemen in the game. His presence on the All-American list solidifies his status as one of the premier talents in college football. *"It’s an honor to be recognized, but I know we have more guys on this team who deserve it too,"* Banks told reporters after a Texas offseason workout. *"We’re going to use this as motivation and prove we belong at the top."* ### **What This Means for Texas in 2025** If anything, the lack of Texas representation on ESPN’s list could serve as extra motivation for the Longhorns heading into the 2025 season. With a stacked roster, an elite recruiting class, and a coaching staff that has Texas trending upward, there’s a strong chance that by the end of next season, multiple Longhorns will earn postseason All-American honors. Steve Sarkisian addressed the topic when asked about it during an offseason press conference. *"Look, preseason lists are fun for discussion, but they don’t decide anything,"* Sarkisian said. *"Our goal is to be in the conversation when it really matters—at the end of the season. We know we have talent, and our guys are ready to prove it on the field."* With a challenging schedule that includes key matchups against Alabama, Georgia, and Oklahoma, Texas will have plenty of opportunities to showcase its talent on the national stage. If players like Manning, Hill, and Cook take the expected next step in their development, expect the Longhorns to have multiple names on the real All-American lists when the 2025 season concludes. For now, though, Texas fans will have to settle for just one name on ESPN’s early list—a decision that will surely add fuel to the team’s fire heading into a pivotal season.
### **ESPN’s ‘Way-Too-Early’ 2025 All-American Team Features Only One Texas Longhorn**
**Austin, TX – February 11, 2025** – ESPN has released its annual “Way-Too-Early” 2025 All-American team, and to the surprise of many Texas fans, only one Longhorn made the list. Despite Texas’ strong finish in the 2024 college football season and high expectations for the upcoming campaign, the national sports outlet included just one Longhorn player among its early projections for the nation’s top players.
The lone Texas representative? Star offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., who was named to the First-Team offense. While Banks’ inclusion was expected given his dominant performance last season, the absence of other Longhorns has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.
### **Texas’ Rising Profile Overlooked?**
The Longhorns ended the 2024 season as one of the premier programs in college football, making a deep run in the College Football Playoff and solidifying themselves as a national powerhouse. With head coach Steve Sarkisian continuing to elevate the program’s recruiting and development, many expected multiple Texas players to be recognized in early preseason accolades.
Quarterback Arch Manning, who is expected to take the reins as the full-time starter in 2025, was notably absent from the list, despite his growing reputation as one of the most promising young signal-callers in the country. Similarly, standout linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and wide receiver Johntay Cook II were both left off, despite strong finishes to last season and the likelihood that they will be key contributors in 2025.
### **ESPN’s Selection Criteria and Longhorn Fan Reactions**
ESPN’s early All-American projections typically factor in returning production, past performance, and NFL potential, but the list is still largely speculative. Many Texas fans believe their team was unfairly overlooked, especially when compared to other powerhouse programs that placed multiple players on the list.
For example, Georgia and Ohio State each had three selections, while Alabama had two. Michigan, coming off a national championship, saw multiple players recognized despite losing significant talent to the NFL Draft.
Texas fans took to social media to voice their displeasure, with some calling the list “disrespectful” and others questioning the methodology behind the selections.
*”It’s crazy how Texas is finally back in the national spotlight, yet ESPN keeps underrating us,”* one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter). *”We have more than one guy who will be All-Americans next year.”*
### **Kelvin Banks Jr.: The Lone Longhorn**
While the perceived snub of other Texas players is frustrating to fans, there’s no denying that Kelvin Banks Jr. deserved his spot. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound tackle has been a dominant force since stepping onto the field as a freshman and has continued to establish himself as one of the best offensive linemen in the country.
A projected top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Banks has been praised for his elite pass-blocking skills, strength, and ability to neutralize even the best defensive linemen in the game. His presence on the All-American list solidifies his status as one of the premier talents in college football.
*”It’s an honor to be recognized, but I know we have more guys on this team who deserve it too,”* Banks told reporters after a Texas offseason workout. *”We’re going to use this as motivation and prove we belong at the top.”*
### **What This Means for Texas in 2025**
If anything, the lack of Texas representation on ESPN’s list could serve as extra motivation for the Longhorns heading into the 2025 season. With a stacked roster, an elite recruiting class, and a coaching staff that has Texas trending upward, there’s a strong chance that by the end of next season, multiple Longhorns will earn postseason All-American honors.
Steve Sarkisian addressed the topic when asked about it during an offseason press conference.
*”Look, preseason lists are fun for discussion, but they don’t decide anything,”* Sarkisian said. *”Our goal is to be in the conversation when it really matters—at the end of the season. We know we have talent, and our guys are ready to prove it on the field.”*
With a challenging schedule that includes key matchups against Alabama, Georgia, and Oklahoma, Texas will have plenty of opportunities to showcase its talent on the national stage. If players like Manning, Hill, and Cook take the expected next step in their development, expect the Longhorns to have multiple names on the real All-American lists when the 2025 season concludes.
For now, though, Texas fans will have to settle for just one name on ESPN’s early list—a decision that will surely add fuel to the team’s fire heading into a pivotal season.
