The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Baseball named consensus preseason top-10 team
02.09.2026 | Baseball
Longhorns slotted third in NCBWA's preseason poll
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Longhorns were ranked third in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association preseason poll, the organization announced Monday afternoon.
A record 12 Southeastern Conference programs earned spots in the rankings, highlighted by five teams in the top 10.
The Longhorns are listed in all five major preseason rankings, checking in as high as No. 3 by D1Baseball, USA Today and the NCBWA. Texas was also slotted eighth by both Baseball America and Perfect Game.
The complete poll can be viewed HERE.
Last season, the Longhorns mounted their best record in 15 years, finishing with a 44-4 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.
Head coach Jim Schlossnagle's club brings 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. Last year, 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.
The Longhorns open their 2026 slate against UC Davis on Feb. 13 at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
