The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Football trio selected to Lombardi Award watch list
08.11.2026 | Football
Rasheem Biles, Trevor Goosby and Colin Simmons were named to the preseason watch list.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Football's Rasheem Biles, Trevor Goosby and Colin Simmons were named to the preseason watch list for the Lombardi Award, the Lombardi Committee announced Tuesday. In memory of coach Vince Lombardi, the Lombardi Award was established in 1970 and is presented to outstanding linemen who best epitomize his values of leadership, courage, performance, and discipline on and off the field.
In 2024, former Longhorn left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. took home the award in addition to the Outland Trophy. He became the fourth Longhorn and first offensive lineman to win the prestigious award, becoming the first recipient since defensive end Brian Orakpo in 2008. Defensive tackles Tony Degrate (1984) and Kenneth Sims (1981) won it in the 1980s. Nine other Longhorns have been finalists, including Justin Blalock (2006), Rodrique Wright (2005), Derrick Johnson (2004), Cory Redding (2002), Doug Dawson (1983), Steve McMichael (1979), Brad Shearer (1977), Bill Wyman (1973) and Jerry Sisemore (1972).
It marks the second-consecutive season Simmons has been named to the preseason watch list for the award. Simmons also earned a spot on the award's midseason watch list on Oct. 14, 2025. Biles and Goosby are first-time selections to the award's preseason watch list.
Biles is a senior linebacker who transferred to Texas from Pitt in spring 2026. The Columbus, Ohio, product landed on the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and was named to the preseason All-SEC First Team. Biles played three seasons at Pitt (2023-25) and saw action in 31 games with 19 starts. Biles was a Second-Team All-ACC selection last season after making 10 starts at linebacker and led the nation with 1.70 tackles for loss per game. His 17.0 total tackles for loss tied for the eighth-most in the FBS last season. The Columbus, Ohio, native led the Panthers with 101 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, six pass break-ups, two interceptions (returned for 85 yards and two touchdowns) and forced two fumbles. Biles delivered 11 stops and broke up a pass against Central Michigan on Sept. 6. He contributed 14 tackles at West Virginia on Sept. 13 and made six tackles and returned an interception for 75 yards for a touchdown against Louisville on Sept. 27. Against Boston College on Oct. 4, Biles forced a fumble, had a sack and recorded three tackles. He had a split-sack among nine total tackles vs. Notre Dame on Nov. 15 and returned a 10-yard interception for a touchdown against the Irish. He posted 15 tackles at Georgia Tech on Nov. 22 followed by a career-high 16-tackle performance vs. East Carolina in the Go Bowling Military Bowl on Dec. 27. He also forced and recovered a fumble and broke up a pass in the bowl game.
In addition to the Lombardi Award watch list, Goosby – a senior left tackle from Melissa, Texas – has been placed on the Outland Trophy watch list to go along with preseason First-Team All-America honors from Walter Camp and preseason All-SEC First Team recognition. Goosby was a 2025 First-Team All-SEC honoree last season after starting all 13 games at left tackle.
Goosby started in Texas' 2025 season opener at No. 3/2 Ohio State on Aug. 30 and protected QB Arch Manning, who completed 17-of-30 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown. In UT's home opener vs. San Jose State on Sept. 6, Goosby paved the way for 472 yards of total offense and provided a clean pocket for Manning, who went 19-for-30 for 295 yards and four touchdowns while powering UT's run game to 155 yards on the ground. Goosby helped Texas' offense generate 607 total offensive yards in the Week 4 win vs. Sam Houston on Sept. 20. Goosby enabled Manning to complete 18-of-21 passes for 309 yards and three passing touchdowns. Goosby and the offensive line also allowed for 264 rushing yards, including a 50-yard scramble by QB Matthew Caldwell, as well as four rushing touchdowns vs. Sam Houston. Goosby contained the No. 6/6 Oklahoma defense on Oct. 11 to help Texas generate 302 yards of total offense in the win vs. the Sooners. Manning finished the game completing 21-of-27 passes for 166 yards and a score. Goosby did not allow a sack and protected Manning, who completed 25-of-33 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns against No. 9/11 Vanderbilt on Nov. 1. In Texas' home win vs. Arkansas on Nov. 22, Goosby spearheaded Texas' offense to 52 points against the Razorbacks. Manning aired it out with 389 passing yards and four touchdowns vs. the Hogs. Goosby was named Co-SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week on Dec. 1 following his performance in Texas' 27-17 win over No. 3/3/3 Texas A&M. In that game, Goosby was the highest-graded offensive lineman and allowed no sacks and no pressures while helping pave the way for 218 rushing yards and 397 total yards of offense against the nation's 15th-ranked total defense. Goosby blocked for RB Quintrevion Wisner, who ran for a season-high 155 rushing yards on 19 attempts while averaging 8.2 yards per carry. In the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against Michigan, Goosby helped Texas put up 41 points and register 456 yards of total offense vs. the Wolverines. Manning ran for 155 yards and two scores, including a 60-yard rush in the fourth quarter. Goosby provided a clean pocket for Manning, who threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns while the Texas run game amassed 235 yards on the ground.
A Walter Camp preseason First-Team All-American and preseason First-Team All-SEC honoree, Simmons – a junior EDGE – is also on the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Allstate Wuerffel Trophy.
Simmons, a third-year EDGE, started in all 13 games for the Longhorns in 2025 and was tabbed to the Coaches' All-SEC First Team. The Dallas native led Texas with 15.5 tackles for loss, 12.0 sacks, 15 pressures, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. His 12.0 sacks led the SEC and ranked fifth in the FBS. Simmons hauled in four SEC weekly honors last season. Simmons was named SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week after compiling five tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, a career-high four pressures and a forced fumble that was returned by a teammate for a 52-yard touchdown in the win over Arkansas on Nov. 22. Simmons collected his third SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week honor after the win over No. 9/11 Vanderbilt on Nov. 1. Against the Commodores, Simmons produced a strip-sack and also made the recovery on the first Vanderbilt possession of the game to go along with five tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries. Simmons collected his second-straight SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week honor after his performance in the road victory at Kentucky on Oct. 18. He recorded a career-high three sacks and a forced fumble vs. the Wildcats. He received his first career SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week after UT's win vs. No. 6/6 Oklahoma on Oct. 11. He logged 2.5 sacks as part of five tackles against the Sooners. In his first season on the Forty, Simmons took home freshman All-America honors after winning the 2024 Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year Award.
Texas opens the 2026 season vs. Texas State at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Sept. 5, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The game will broadcast on ESPN.
