The 2024 preseason media poll has been announced for the NCAA Football All-SEC first and second teams and some of Texas’ most impactful players made the cut.
Coming off their best season in over a decade, expectations for success are higher than ever and the team will need to rely on its most dependable players. The Daily Texan compiled a list of some of the Longhorns expected to have the greatest influence over the teams’ performance in 2024.
Kelvin Banks Jr. – First Team Offense – Offensive Line
The only Longhorn marked down for first-team offense, junior Kelvin Banks has been a staple of protection on the Texas line. The offensive lineman finished last season as one of the premier players in his position and was selected to the All-Big 12 First Team. As a projected first-round pick in next year’s NFL draft, Banks has one more season with Texas to display his dominance on the line and help the team toward another playoff appearance.
“My teammate Jake Majors came back from an (offensive line) retreat and he (said) ‘Do you like football, do you love football or do you live football?’” Banks said during SEC Media Days. “I feel like I’m living football. I live for football and this is what I want to do.”
Quinn Ewers – Second Team Offense – Quarterback
The junior is coming off the best season of his college career and some of his biggest accomplishments. After defeating Alabama at home, Ewers led the team to its first Big 12 championship win since 2009, its first 11+ win season in 14 years, and its first-ever college football playoff appearance.
“It’s a dream come true for me to hold the keys to (Texas football head coach Steve Sarkisian’s) offense,” Ewers said at SEC Media Days. “For him and my teammates to trust me to do that it’s a blessing.”
CJ Baxter – Second Team Offense – Running Back
Last season Baxter’s name was listed above Jonathon Brooks’ on the depth chart for the home opener against Rice. The true freshman got the start but saw less playing time once Brooks got hot throughout the year. Once again the go-to back in the backfield, Baxter is expected to have his breakout season in 2024.
Isaiah Bond – Second Team Offense – Wide Receiver
Though this may be Bond’s first year with the Longhorns, the junior transfer is no stranger to life in the SEC. Bond led Alabama in receptions last season with 48, and joins fellow transfers Matthew Golden and Silas Bolden in the Texas wide receiver room.
Anthony Hill Jr. – Second Team Defense – Linebacker
The former five-star prospect returns as a sophomore after having an impressive true freshman season. The young linebacker will be an asset for the Longhorns, especially in big-game situations. Four of Hill’s five sacks last season came against Alabama, Oklahoma or Oklahoma State in the Big 12 championship game.
Jahdae Barron – Second Team Defense – Defensive Back
The Texas secondary is expected to be one of the best in college football this upcoming season. Jahdae Barron, who is now entering his fifth season with the Longhorns, is the resident veteran in the Star defensive position. Barron finished the 2023 season with 32 solo tackles, one interception and six passes defended — a career-high.
Andrew Mukuba – Second Team Defense – Defensive Back
The former True Freshman All-American will be returning to his hometown of Austin, TX this year after three years with the Clemson Tigers. The senior finished his 2023 campaign with a career-low of 28 solo tackles but tied his career high in passes defended with six.
Malik Muhammed – Second Team Defense – Defensive Back
The third defensive back on the list for Texas is Malik Muhammed who is expected to have a productive sophomore season. Muhammad’s coverage grade ranked second among all Big-12 cornerbacks and had a 20% incompletion rate, according to Pro Football Focus.
Bert Auburn – First Team Specials – Placekicker
Last but not least, Bert Auburn has been one of the most reliable placekickers in all of college football. Auburn led all conferences with 29 made field goals, set Texas single-season records in field goals made and points scored (143), set a team and conference record with 19 consecutive field goals and a Texas single-game record of 21 points scored against Texas Tech in 2023. Auburn returns for his senior year and should be a surefire way for Texas to put points on the board this season.
