The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Baseball debuts at No. 8 in Perfect Game’s preseason rankings
01.08.2026 | Baseball
Longhorns are one of six SEC programs listed in the poll’s top 10
AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas baseball team checked in at No. 8 in Perfect Game's preseason top 25, the organization announced Thursday.
The Longhorns garnered a top-10 preseason ranking for the fourth time in the past five years, including the third straight campaign.
Texas is one of six SEC programs to earn a spot in the poll's top 10. The Longhorns are listed alongside No. 1 LSU, No. 3 Tennessee, No. 4 Arkansas, No. 6 Mississippi State and No. 10 Auburn.
The complete Perfect Game preseason rankings can be viewed HERE.
In head coach Jim Schlossnagle's first campaign at Texas, the Longhorns mounted their best record in 15 years, finishing with a 44-14 mark. Texas became the first team to win the SEC in its first season since the league's inaugural campaign in 1933.
The Longhorns, who were picked eighth in the conference's preseason poll, won the league by two games. Texas' 22-8 ledger in SEC action marked its best record in conference play since 2010.
Schlossnagle's club bring back 16 letterwinners from last season, highlighted by reigning Baseball America National Freshman of the Year Dylan Volantis.
Overall, Texas returns 76 percent of its innings pitched. A year ago, the Longhorns posted the second-best WHIP (1.18) and the sixth-best ERA (3.71) in the country.
Offensively, Ethan Mendoza and Adrian Rodriguez — Texas' top two leading hitters in 2025 — are back on The Forty Acres.
Meanwhile, the Longhorns welcome 24 newcomers, with 14 freshmen and 10 transfers. Texas' recruiting class was ranked first nationally, according to Baseball America.
Three Longhorns collected Perfect Game preseason All-America recognition on Wednesday, as Volantis was joined by transfers Carson Tinney and Aiden Robbins.
Texas opens its 2026 slate against UC Davis on Feb. 13 at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
